TASTE WALES
2021
The Sustainable Scale Up Cluster and Investor Ready teams were on hand in the Investor Zone during Taste Wales to discuss growth plans and the finance options available to support Welsh food and drink businesses during their scale up journey. Taste Wales 2021 was held at the International Convention Centre Wales on Wednesday 27th & Thursday 28th October 2021.
We hosted over 80 meetings in the Investor Zone between Welsh food and drink businesses and 12 potential investors and finance providers who we invited to the Investor Zone.
Photo Credit: Celf Calon
Photo Credit: Celf Calon
Photo Credit: Celf Calon
Photo Credit: Celf Calon
Money As An Ingredient
a podcast by the Sustainable Scale Up Cluster
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EP1 – Getting The Right Money with Alun Thomas, Development Bank of Wales
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We sent John Taylerson from the Sustainable Scale Up Cluster to the Development Bank of Wales in Cardiff’s Capital Quarter to meet Alun Thomas, Regional Manager and member of the Sustainable Scale Up Cluster’s Advisory Board.
John was keen to find out from Alun what he looks for when Welsh food and drink SME’s approach him for finance, and what should your business plan look like?
MEET THE FINANCE PROVIDERS
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A big thank you to the investors and finance providers who came along to Taste Wales 2021. You can meet them below:
TIM
CHATER
Phoenix
Ventures Ltd
Tim has a wealth of food and drink experience with start-up, scale-up and corporates. Tim is founder of Phoenix Ventures, a specialist in IP commercialisation, business growth, funding, M & A and venture building for #bioscience #foodtech #plantbased #agritech #CBD sectors.
TIM
SHEARS
Black & White Finance
Coming from the food industry himself, Tim understands your projects and how to finance them. His background is Director of Whitworths and Northern Foods, not from a bank. He speaks your language, and now theirs, making finance easier to get.
IAN
ADAMS
Bathgate
Finance
Ian has worked in the finance industry for 35 years, specialising in invoice finance, international trade and commercial banking. He has worked in both corporate and consumer-facing roles and looked after businesses with up to £25 million turnover.
He joined Bathgate Business Finance in 2014, bringing not only his professional expertise but also his experience in building and nurturing relationships with banks, accountants and other professionals.
ALUN
THOMAS
Development Bank of Wales
Alun Thomas is the Regional Manager covering West Wales for the Development Bank of Wales. A senior banker with over 30 years’ experience, Alun specialises in lending, structuring and managing loans for SMEs and is keen to see businesses getting the right money for what they’re doing .
ADRIAN
COLES
NATWEST
BANK
As a Relationship Bank in a Digital World, we are proud to be supporting the F&B sector as we recognise the importance of the sector to the Welsh economy. Our purpose is to champion businesses, help them innovate, widen their connectivity and ultimately grow creating long term prosperity for Wales.
SaraH
JOHNSON
Triodos
Bank
Sarah has recently joined Triodos as the bank’s first Relationship Manager based in Wales, dedicated to Welsh/Wales-related businesses, organisations and charities. Triodos Bank is one of the world’s most sustainable banks, prides itself on transparency, and evidencing where its money goes. Working with a wide range of sectors making positive change, either socially, culturally or environmentally; and providing a bespoke support to help lenders grow their business, and meet their aspirations.
CERI
THOMAS
HSBC
BANK
Relationship Manager based in South Wales Commercial Banking Team. I have been a Relationship Manager for 6 years and in that time have developed and won new and existing relationships in supporting clients reach their goals. I support clients with Annual Turnover of up to £10m and with a Borrowing need of £300k plus. I help clients reach their growth ambitions by providing a range of finane solutions such as Asset Finance, Invoice Finance, Trade Facilities and cards.
RYAN
POPE
HSBC
BANK
Business Relationship Manager HSBC Commercial Banking South Wales. I manage a portfolio of SME clients across South Wales in various sectors with turnover up to £10m with borrowing requirements over £300k. I help support client growth by bringing various solutions to support out clients such as Traditional Lending, Asset Finance, International Trade and Receivables Finance
AMY
WILSON
BARCLAYS
BANK
Barclays Trade & Working Capital – international trade / export finance specialist – Mid Corporate.
Barclays is a British Universal Bank with over 325 years of history and expertise in Banking, and operate in over 40 countries. Barclays moves, lends, invests & protects money for our customers and clients worldwide. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the word as well as a top tier global corporate and investment bank.
RICH
Crew
BARCLAYS
BANK
Business Development Director. Wales - Business Banking (typically <£6.5m subject to complexity)
Barclays is a British Universal Bank with over 325 years of history and expertise in Banking, and operate in over 40 countries. Barclays moves, lends, invests & protects money for our customers and clients worldwide. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the word as well as a top tier global corporate and investment bank.
PHIL
HALES
BARCLAYS
Bank
Barclays Trade & Working Capital – international trade / export finance specialist – Large Corporate.
Barclays is a British Universal Bank with over 325 years of history and expertise in Banking, and operate in over 40 countries. Barclays moves, lends, invests & protects money for our customers and clients worldwide. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the word as well as a top tier global corporate and investment bank.
Matt
Rose
BARCLAYS
BANK
Associate Banker, Corporate Banking (>£6.5m subject to complexity)
Barclays is a British Universal Bank with over 325 years of history and expertise in Banking, and operate in over 40 countries. Barclays moves, lends, invests & protects money for our customers and clients worldwide. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the word as well as a top tier global corporate and investment bank.
Carol
Hall
Angel Invest
Wales
Carol is the South and West Wales Regional Investment Manager for Angels Invest Wales, building a diverse network of SMART investors in Wales.
NATASHA
HOPKINS
NATWEST
BANK
As a Relationship Bank in a Digital World, we are proud to be supporting the F&B sector as we recognise the importance of the sector to the Welsh economy. Our purpose is to champion businesses, help them innovate, widen their connectivity and ultimately grow creating long term prosperity for Wales.
Gemma
Slater
Santander
Bank
Having always been interested in people my role as Business Development for Santander is the perfect fit. I spend my days getting to know business owners and their business, finding out what support would be useful and directing them to that support, be that international, growth or funding.
Janette
Bennett
Santander
BANK
Janette joined Santander in 2010 working in the Large Corporate Team before moving into her current Business Development role in 2019. She previously worked at RBS bringing over 25 years of experience in Commercial & Corporate banking. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and supporting Welsh rugby.
Steve
Martin
OLD
MILL
Steve helps food and drink businesses and their owners minimise their tax liabilities.
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He gives clear and robust advice on matters such as research and development tax credits, restructuring and business sales.
Wayne
Bastian
Old
Mill
Wayne Bastian works in the Digital Business Services team at Old Mill. He specialises in helping clients to streamline operations using Xero and the App ecosystem.
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Having founded two businesses as well as advising clients for 9 years, Wayne understands the importance of having timely and accurate financial information at your fingertips.
Kathryn
Mansell
Old
Mill
A Chartered Accountant now working within the Corporate Finance team at Old Mill Kathryn advises clients on the operational and strategic impacts of their decisions. Specifically helping them understand how an acquisition, sale or strategic change might work and how they could fund it.
Her work means she is involved in business valuations, financial due diligence, business planning, finance raising and cashflow modelling.
Phill
Mills
Old
Mill
Leading the Old Mill food & drink team, Phil works with ambitious business owners looking to make their businesses more successful. Phil is lucky enough to work across the food & drink supply chain giving him a unique perspective. This can then be translated into practical and pragmatic advice accounting and tax advice.
Chris
Smith
Tydi
ltd
Chris is Director of Tydi Ltd (Time You Did It) supporting high growth SMEs strategically and in tactical decision making. Chris has worked for a range of UK and European businesses in his 38 year career. He is also Board Chair & Non-Executive Director, The British Corner Shop Ltd and newly appointed Non- Executive Director, for Just Love Food Company amongst others.