Team

Paul has a wealth of experience in business lending having worked for 27 years at Nat West Bank where he was a Senior Business Manager.

He managed a portfolio of 250+ clients with annual turnovers of between £100k to £1m. His responsibilities included new lending, sales and attracting new customers to the bank. Prior to that, he had several years experience in Head Office credit control, assessing lending applications up to £10m.

Paul joined MSIF in 2002 and his role includes assessing loan applications, particularly for the larger applications of in excess of £50k and helping businesses to shape their funding packages using other lenders.

Little known fact: On his first visit to the Golf Club under the company's corporate membership, Paul forgot to apply the handbrake on his car and it rolled into Club President's Mercedes!

Malcolm is an ACIB qualified banker and has extensive experience in business lending. He started his career at Martins Bank (which later became Barclays) where he spent 36 years in a variety of senior roles involved in lending to the SME market.

During his time at the bank, Malcolm was seconded to Michael Hesaltine for 12 months and was instrumental in setting up an Enterprise Agency, Business in Liverpool Ltd, founded to encourage business in the city in the aftermath of the Toxteth riots.

Following his 12 month secondment, Malcolm returned to the bank where he undertook a variety of senior roles before being appointed as relationship director in the Larger Business Team. This role involved dealing in many large and complex transactions and sealed his reputation as a major player in the Merseyside financial arena.

Malcolm joined MSIF in 2002 and is investment director of MSIF’s £20m Mezzanine Fund. He is responsible for all Mezzanine investments and assists with the management of the Fund’s portfolio. This Fund has been involved in nearly £50m worth of transactions in the City region and has secured a number of successful exits.

He recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the North West Business Insider Liverpool Professional Awards in recognition of his distinguished career.

Malcolm has two grown up children and three grandchildren. An Everton Football Club season ticket holder, Malcolm is also governor of Liverpool College and Edgehill University and a member of Formby and West Derby Golf Clubs.

Little known fact: Malcolm was Quarry Bank School’s cross country champion for six consecutive years.

Marion has a wealth of experience in venture capital and has worked in both investment and portfolio management.

Prior to joining MSIF in 2007, she gained 13 years private equity experience working for 3i in Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester , including 7 years at director level. She was involved in all aspects of the deal process from investment to portfolio management, eventually becoming a portfolio director.

Marion led a number of significant deals, delivering a consistent track record of positive returns and working with boards to grow and realise shareholder value. She also worked extensively recruiting and training investment executives.

After leaving 3i Marion took a career break which she combined with running a part time consultancy business providing advice to investment organisations and private companies seeking external funding. She has also previously set up and run a family business where she gained a perspective on issues affecting SMEs.

Marion is married with three children and lives in Chester.

Little known fact: Marion captained her county (Somerset) Under 18 Hockey Team.

Janet has a degree in Business Studies and a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. She has over 20 years experience in the telecoms arena with Marconi (and its predecessors) having undertaken roles in procurement, supply chain commercial and project management as well as a period of time in corporate finance which took her into the world of mergers and acquisitions.

Janet is well versed in the sale and procurement of Equipment, Software and Services having negotiated and managed numerous licenses, development, distribution, supply and service level agreements with domestic and international customers.

Janet joined MSIF in 2006 and has closely worked with the Seed Fund portfolio of companies from the onset.

Prior to joining MSIF, Rob spent 18 years with the Nat West Bank where he worked in both personal and corporate banking with responsibility for sanctioning loans and gained an in depth knowledge of SMEs and the issues they face.

He joined MSIF in 2003 as a Portfolio Manager, which involves looking after Small Firms Fund clients. He spends much of his time out on the road visiting investee businesses giving them the opportunity to discuss any issues they may have and providing support where necessary. He is also responsible for monitoring their progress and ensuring that they are aware of what paperwork they need to submit to claim back their interest rebate, for example.

In his spare time he enjoys football, the outdoors and foreign films.

Little known fact: Rob was a winner on the hit TV show The Weakest Link.

Philip is an ACIB qualified banker and is an experienced manager with a proven track record.

He started his career at Martins Bank (which later became Barclays) and was first appointed as a manager aged 30. He subsequently progressed to a senior position as Area Manager for North Liverpool overseeing the Corporate, Small Business and Personal Sectors, and controlling 114 staff in 10 locations.

In 1996 he joined Enterprise Ventures, which ran the original MSIF Mezzanine Fund, as an Investment Manager. Shortly afterwards he was appointed to Fund Manager and headed up the entire Mezzanine investment team and he successfully oversaw full investment of this £10m Fund.

He joined MSIF when it was first set up in 2001 and initially continued in his role as Investment Director before taking over the Portfolio Director role.

Little known fact: Whilst working at the Water Street branch of Martins Bank, Phil and Malcolm spent many a lunch hour holed up in the bank’s ‘sunshine room’ playing cards. The sunshine room was in fact a subterranean office under the bank building!

Andrew joins MSIF as Financial Controller to oversee MSIF’s Accounts Department and provide a full range of support to the Chief Operating Officer.

Andrew is a qualified Certified Accountant who prior to MSIF worked for a number of organisations including online retailer the Hut Group, Mouchel and several accountancy practices in Liverpool.

Andrew lives on the Wirral with his wife and two children and enjoys playing golf and watching Liverpool FC in his spare time.

Little Known Fact: Andrew played at Anfield with his school team

Prior to joining MSIF , Paula spent 10 years at the NatWest Bank where she worked in both personal and business banking.

Paula likes reading and socialising.

Little known fact: Paula represented her county, Merseyside, at netball.

Emma previously worked for Miller Knight as a secretary before having time out to have her daughter, Rebecca, in 1995. She joined MSIF in 1999 and progressed from receptionist to her current role as accounts assistant. She is treasurer of several local community groups and is also secretary for AYAC Judo Club.

Little known fact: Emma is a qualified table official for the British Judo Association and officiated at the World Firefighter Games in August 2008.

Debra has been involved with the MSIF Funds since they were launched in 1996, previously working for BCE Fund Managers (which later became AFM) which managed the first MSIF Small Firms Fund. Prior to that, she worked at British Coal Enterprise, a Fund which was set up to regenerate the former coalfield areas

Debra lives in Manchester and is married with four children and two grandchildren and in her spare time, enjoys travelling, reading and films.

Little known fact: Debra has sung live at the Bridgewater Hall