Joanne Whitfield, Fund Director at FW Capital talks about how the finance market is evolving, giving businesses more choice when seeking funding.
Helping businesses access finance is critical to driving economic growth. Businesses who are seeking investment, need to be aware of the options available beyond traditional lenders. Alternative funding options can be more accessible and often a much better fit to the needs of your business.
Last year FW Capital launched the Teesside Flexible Investment Fund which is focused on increasing this choice and driving investment for businesses across the region. It aims to transform the finance landscape for businesses in Teesside, helping to boost economic growth. Its success was seen in the first investment made under the Fund to Teesside stainless steel alloy specialist and manufacturer Paralloy Group, to assist their future growth strategy.
Launched with investment from the Teesside Pension Fund, the Teesside Flexible Investment Fund supports businesses in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar and Cleveland through a mix of property development funding, contract-related bond finance and finance to support management teams in buying a business. Funding packages of £100,000 to £3million are available.
Focus on property development
Property development funding is an important part of the Teesside Flexible Investment Fund. At FW Capital we’ve a strong track record of supporting property developers and we’re excited to expand our expertise to Teesside. This follows the success of the North East Commercial Investment Property Fund and North East Property Fund from which have been invested to date over £60million and supported 71 schemes across the region.
Hartlepool-based Port Homes has recently received a £1.5million investment from the Teesside Flexible Investment Fund to assist an exclusive development of three homes at Cameron Court in Wynyard, Stockton-on-Tees.
Cameron Court is a small development of three, luxurious and bespoke A rated homes in one of the most sought after postcodes in the North East. Set within 885 acres of woodland, it will feature personalised, high specification fivebedroom homes that can be customised with plot sizes up to 1/3 of an acre with larger than average gardens, car chargers, solar panels and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems.
Port Homes is a family run, North East established housing company founded by brothers Daniel and Christopher Port. The duo are focused on bringing fresh ideas to the housing industry, with bespoke designs and a ‘Choose your floorplan’ concept which ensures no two homes are the same.
Daniel Port, Director at Port Homes explains: “Cameron Court is our first venture into executive housing because previously we have been focused on first time homes. This is an exciting project for us in a prestigious and highly sought after postcode. We’re a local developer with a deep-rooted commitment to identifying land for development across the North East. We’re grateful to FW Capital for their investment and support which is helping us to provide beautiful new homes in a stunning part of the region. It has given us the working capital to assist the development at Cameron Court as well as the ability to manage multiple sites at once. The team have been efficient and supportive throughout the whole process.”
Lewis Blakelock, Investment Executive at FW Capital added: “The aim of the Teesside Flexible Investment Fund is to enable growth across Teesside, and help local firms access much needed finance to realise their potential. We’ve been impressed by the team at Port Homes and this investment demonstrates how the Fund is making a positive impact. We’re keen to talk to businesses across the region about their future plans and how we might be able to support them.”
If you want to find out how we can support your business please email info@fwcapital.co.uk or visit our website www.fwcapital.co.uk