Whatever your business, you need  a clear strategy, purpose built business plan, our team can help you with these whether you are seeking investment or not.

Jonathan Gold: Jonathan is the founder of Finance Tree. He was also a founding director of NStar (now North East Finance) in 2003 and left in March 2008 to set up Finance Tree. A specialist in investment readiness, concept and seed finance, Jonathan has a background in business development and of technology with extensive experience of the Japanese market. He has raised over £30m in venture capital and created more than 6 venture funds and worked as a director in several. He is also now a director of the Venture Capital company Rivers Capital Partners www.riverscap.com 

Peter Hiscocks: Peter is a fellow founder of Finance Tree. He developed and runs the course programme of NStar Finance and Business our investment readiness programme. He is currently head of Innovation Management at the Judge Business School and is managing several research projects on the success factors for new hi tech business ventures. Peter is the principal inventor on six patents, is Chairman of one hi tech company and is on the Board of three others: he has achieved two successful exits. He is an active business angel and on the advisory board of a Venture Capital firm.

David Pope: David has twelve years at Brewin Dolphin Securities Plc in the corporate broking team. During this period David specialised in Leisure and Media investments and led numerous fund raisings and transactions. This more recently led to a corporate finance appointment at a radio business which culminated in the sale of nine radio stations to multiple buyers. David has an MBA from Durham University and is a fellow of The Securities & Investment Institute.

Iain Coward: Iain is a Chartered Accountant having qualified with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Newcastle.  He has worked in industry for the last ten years, including two years with NStar Ltd (now North East Finance Ltd) where he obtained the Investment Management Certificate.  Iain was also Director of Forecasting, Planning and Analysis for a large online gaming company.  He is also Head of Finance for Rivers Capital Partners and Iain holds part time senior finance roles for other SME’s based in North East of England.   

Corporate Finance team

Richard Bridges: Richard is an experienced Main Board Director & General Manager with an impressive record of achievement. Richard started his career with British Rail and worked with various companies including Sandersons. From 1977 Richard spent the next 20 year as Financial Director with Lonrho. Having left corporate life he has embarked upon a series of successful “buy-ins” and worked as a consultant. He has successfully exited three “buy-ins”. Richard is also a mentor to Princes Trust and a founder member of the Business Investors Group.

Adam Sims: Adam has over 20 years of business experience as a Finance Director, Commercial Director and General Manager working mainly in process industries (Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals) with significant exposure to leveraged buyouts as a founder shareholder, overseas conglomerates and UK listed corporations.

Business growth sector specialists

Dr Neil Loxley: Neil is an experienced scientist and business leader who was the driving force in transforming Bede Scientific Instruments into Bede plc. Neil is experienced in growing a business and will be able to share this first-hand knowledge.

Nick Moore: Nick has over 25 years industrial experience, with 15 years at Board and General Manager level. In addition to his industrial experience, Nick spent three years as a consultant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Nick now works with a small number of SME's providing consultancy and mentoring support.

Jane Hogan: Jane has founded and run two companies, secured external finance, managed a £110 million economic regeneration project and commercialsed government funded services. In 2003 Jane co-founded 'Pure Insight', which works with corporations to develop their internal innovation capabilities. She is an expert in marketing, sales and provides project leadership services.

Heleen Kist: Heleen is Director of Skillcast a company offering strategy consulting and interim management in the areas of growth and innovation policy, management and funding. Heleen combines a strong background in software, consumer goods and bio-technology commercialisation with experience in blue chip strategy; change management and venture financing.

Colum Smith: Colum has led a non-traditional career path that has included teaching in Japan, North East Business Development Director for Eversheds Law firm and setting up Innovation Catalyst Ltd. In 2006 took an executive role with an e-trading start-up company.

Joanne Thompson: Joanne is a Director of Selling Strategies Limited, and works as an Interim Executive and Business Consultant, specialising in business turnaround, mergers, acquisitions, disposals and change management. She has over 15 years experience with blue chip companies in the IT and outsourcing industries.

Dr Ian Buckley-Golder: Since leaving his role as MD of Products & Systems at AEA Technology, Ian has taken a number of roles in business growth, technology development and leadership. Ian brings expertise in investment funding, technology, intellectual property and corporate governance in a range of technology sectors.

Stuart Thompson: Stuart has more than 20 years' experience in economic and regional development. Over the last decade he has been instrumental in introducing economic development concepts to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This has particularly been in the field of SME support and development.