Fund Manager, FW Capital has lent over £35 million to nearly 200 businesses in the region, attracting an additional £16 million of private sector investment.

Commenting on the long-term impact of the loans, FW Capital Fund Manager Gary Guest said: "This is a significant milestone both for the businesses we’ve invested in as well as the economy of the North West.  We’ve met some hard-working and successful business owners in every county of the North West over the last 5 years. 

"Our loans are providing these business owners with the backing they need to build and expand their businesses.  These businesses are already making a significant contribution to the region’s prosperity and I’m confident they’ll continue playing a key role in its future growth.”

The North West Fund for Loans Plus can lend between £50,000 and £750,000 to established small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in a range of sectors across the North West to help with a wide range of growth funding challenges.  The Fund is part of the £155m North West Fund, which is backed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Investment Bank.

With its initial investment period ending in December this year and with funds left to invest, particularly on Merseyside, Guest is encouraging more businesses to contact his team to understand the options open to them.

"The North West Fund for Loans Plus was established to provide SMEs like North West Marble & Granite and Intelling with long-term growth capital and we’ve seen some real success stories:  24 of the businesses we’ve backed have exceeded their financial expectations and repaid early, while our star performers’ turnovers have doubled or even tripled.

"We work collaboratively with businesses, their advisers and other funders to ensure the businesses we back secure a funding package that works for them now as well as in the long-term and doesn’t limit their options in the future,” Guest continued.

FW Capital has an 11-strong team of investment and portfolio staff in the North West based in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston. 

SMEs seeking investment can contact the team at: thenorthwestfund@fwcapital.co.uk