Amplifying Growth for Innovative SMEs

Daniel is an investor on the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund. His role involves sourcing and executing new investments and supporting companies grow and flourish post investment.

He joined Midven in 2021 after several years’ experience. Daniel’s previous experience includes EFG private bank, Standard Life Investments where he worked on their target return investment funds, a Family Office investing in alternative assets, and most recently at LGPS Central where he was a private equity portfolio manager, investing the pooled assets of eight Midlands-based local government pension schemes into funds and co-investments.

Daniel holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

Huw works across the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and West Midlands Co-Investment fund. His role involves sourcing and executing new investments, and managing a portfolio of high-growth companies across the Midlands region.

He began his career in startup advisory at boutique corporate finance house, Novo Ventures, working with management teams of pre-seed companies to develop fundraising and growth strategies. In 2019 he transitioned to an investment role at Midven as a junior analyst.

In addition to his main role in the Midven investment team, Huw is the co-founder of the young professionals networking group, The Colmore Collective. He has been a mentor for the University of Birmingham “Elevate” accelerator and the National Cyber Security Centre incubator, and has spoken at events by the World Economic Forum, DGB Financial Group in South Korea, and Innovate UK.

Jordan joined Midven in 2023, with previous experience working within change management and as a finance and operations consultant. At Midven, he works as an investment associate on the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund, supporting the West Midlands region, and its industries, to grow. 

Jordan also has previous experience within the venture industry with the Development Bank of Wales where he worked as an analyst, primarily on a series of seed and seed+ deals across multiple sectors. Jordan holds a BSc degree in business economics. After graduating, he achieved a post graduate diploma in financial services management and a Masters degree in finance.

Luize is an Investment Analyst at Future Planet Capital, working within the regional investment team at the firm’s Birmingham office.

She graduated with First-Class Honours in Economics and Politics from the University of Leeds. As part of her degree, she completed an exchange year with distinction at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy. Her previous professional experience includes internships at Citibank and Callidus Capital, a corporate finance and investment advisory firm.

During her studies, Luize served as the President of the Trading and Investment Society and was selected as a delegate for the LSE Alternative Investments Conference for two consecutive years. Luize has also been invited to speak on a podcast and various leadership panels. She is the UK Ambassador for Female x Finance, a women-only finance community with over 8,000 members.

Rupert joined Midven in 2023 as fund principal for the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund and brings over 30 years of investment experience to the company. His role is to position the WMCO at the centre of the SME ecosystem and to bring other pots of capital into the market, to give early-stage, high-growth companies in the West Midlands access to the capital they require to grow. 

With director roles at 3i Group and Barclays Ventures in Birmingham, Rupert has a strong track record in investing in and managing diverse portfolios of businesses in the Midlands. However, it is not only his experience in venture capital and on boards of directors that he brings. Since 2014 Rupert has been on the advisory committee of the London Co-Investment Fund (LCIF).

Surjit joined Midven in 2005 and is a director of Future Planet Capital Ventures. He is fund principal and Investment Committee member for the MEIF West Midlands Equity Fund as well as having an ongoing similar role for the Exceed Partnership. Surjit is a chartered accountant with over 18 years fund management and a further 7 years corporate finance experience working with SME clients at Deloitte in Birmingham. 

He trained with Arthur Andersen, specialising in corporate finance. Following a 12-month secondment to Livingbridge Equity Partners, Surjit joined Deloitte Corporate Finance in January 2003. Surjit has a degree in economics and finance from Brunel University and a Masters degree in corporate strategy & governance from Nottingham University.

Suritj has added significant value as part-time finance director for a number of Midven portfolio companies.