News
Rivers make two new appointments to the senior team
Emma Neal
22 Sep 2016
Founder of Tiger Corporate Finance Ltd, Roland Tate joins the board of Directors at regional venture capital fund managers, Rivers Capital Partners.
Previously working for BP then as a venture capitalist and corporate finance director, Roland is an active Fellow of the Chartered Securities Institute and an FCA authorised person for corporate finance regulated activities. Now operating a niche corporate finance house specialising in SME deal origination, negotiation and completion, Roland works with and represents the High Net worth Investors (HNWI's) who appraise and complete equity investments.
Joining Rivers as a Director, Roland will be working with the Board of Directors to build private investor syndicates and stimulate Business Angel activity in the region.
He said of his new role, “Rivers have both investment expertise and entrepreneurial backgrounds and I’m looking forward to building on the strong investor relations they have developed in and out of the region.”
Roland joins Rivers alongside second new recruit Simon Johnson who, after launching his own funding and consultancy business, joined Rivers to work on several specialist debt projects and reinforce the company’s overall debt offering into the future.
Simon has led on many debt based deals from the current Finance for Business North East Funds attracting high levels of private finance into local companies as a result. A Maths graduate joining Barclays plc from university, Simon specialised in Corporate Relationship Banking.
He currently holds the Investment Management Certificate of the UK Society of Investment Professionals, the Institute of Directors Diploma in Company Direction and is an FCA Approved Person.
Simon previously worked for NEL Fund Managers Limited and was responsible for the marketing and successful investment of the North East Growth Fund, the £26 million mezzanine debt fund within the JEREMIE programme. He joins Rivers as Head of Strategic Debt Funds.
Simon said, “I’m looking forward to working alongside the team to support the growth and innovation of more regional businesses and help Rivers realise their strategic long-term objectives.”
Roland and Simon join the company working alongside founders Dr John White, Jonathan Gold and Peter Hiscocks.
Managers of the £10.5m North East Angel Fund and the £7.5m North East Microloan Fund from the Finance for Business North East programme, Rivers has supported the growth and innovation of products and services in SME’s across the region since 2010.
Jonathan Gold, Managing Director said, “Both Simon and Roland bring invaluable experience and additional depth to our growing team. Simon is taking the lead on some great new projects, watch this space.”


Honcho launch
Proud to see one of our best investments from the NE Angel Fund launching ! Durham-based insurance disruptor honcho has this week launched their revolutionary new...
Seeking capital ... £1m to £10m or more ?
We are seeing an increasing interest from investors in London in niche high quality growth businesses here in the North East. Some investors are fighting...

HamiltonGold open for business
A new source of investment is open for business. Rivers Capital Partners and Hamilton Capital Partners are pleased to announce a new venture with the...

New Offices for the Investors
Yes, we have moved office. OK so the news might not set the investment community alive but its part of our new strategy and growing...

Rivers make two new appointments to the senior team
Founder of Tiger Corporate Finance Ltd, Roland Tate joins the board of Directors at regional venture capital fund managers, Rivers Capital Partners. Previously working for BP...

Rivers Capital Partners are appointed loan broker of Atom Bank
Rivers Capital Partners has been appointed as one of the first commercial loan intermediaries for Atom Bank, the first venture capital investor to do so....

7 things that matter when starting out and building a business
Entrepreneurs are constantly striving for success, looking for ways to make their business work. A lot is written about success, I have decided to take...

Brexit and Carry on with business
Having read all sorts of doom and gloom and plenty of speculation since the UK referendum to “Brexit” or leave the EU. What does it...

Newcastle-based Gradvert secures £100,000 to grow into new markets.
One of the UK’s leading graduate recruitment and training companies has secured a £100,000 investment via the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund. Hoult’s Yard...

£3.2m of investment secured to drive double digit growth for a third consecutive year at Hyperdrive Innovation
Fresh investment follows high-profile contract wins for the UK’s leading independent developer of lithium-ion energy storage technologies. Ahead of launching two new innovative modular battery systems...

Teesside University’s Launchpad working with Rivers Capital to build the start-up community on campus.
Regional Fund Managers Rivers Capital Partners have re-located their Tees Valley-based operations. The move to the Victoria Building at Teesside University will better support the...

The North East Angel Fund is awarded an extension for 2016
The North East Angel Fund has £1m to invest in 2016 to support the growth of innovative products and services in businesses across the North...

Rivers Capital Partners appoint two new Directors to their Board.
Former Goldman Sachs trader, Dr Chris Cathey returns to his local roots of Newcastle after enjoying a successful fifteen year career. Chris joined Goldman Sachs...

The North East Microloan Fund reports record year for 2015.
The Finance for Business North East Microloan Fund managed by Rivers Capital Partners has had one of the most successful operating years since its inception...

Celebrating this financial year; looking forwards to 2016
As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting through the eyes of an investor. We should celebrate that 2015 sees the successful...

The Finance for Business Angel Fund, growing innovation in the North East
Rivers Capital Partners, managers of the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund has had its most successful operating year since its inception five years...

Angel Investee REALRIDER secures £1m to scale up
North East based technology innovators, Realsafe Technologies, continues its rapid expansion plans securing a seven-figure sum of new investment and making key appointments to its...

Investing is a local business… The North East is good at it!
Most investors like to be able to visit the business they invest in, and they like to talk to the people running it, face to...

What makes an entrepreneur into an investor?
The best investors in small businesses are people who have worn the t-shirt and done it themselves. It's a cliché in my world but what...

Looking for investment? Don’t pay for this advice
I should qualify the above statement right away. You should take advice if you think your business or start-up needs investment. Why? Well a good...

Car parts maker's sale set to further boost growth
A FAST-GROWING car parts maker in County Durham is set for further expansion after being snapped up by a global supply chain specialist. DPE Automotive, which...
Seeking investment? It’s the people that count
There is a recurring theme in what makes a successful business. It's the people involved. When you hear about a terrific new start-up or amazing...

North East business has an eye for opportunity in the architecture Industry
EYELEVEL Creative, a digital visualisation consultancy based in Newcastle, are set to revolutionise the architecture industry by launching a new pioneering augmented reality app, EYEVIEW,...

Advice pixel perfect for retro gaming company
A FLEDGLING software company which specialises in 'retro' games is set for its first major release thanks to backing from the Finance for Business North...

Your business and other people’s cash
I have said before 'investing is a balance of risk and reward' - so is running your own business. Most entrepreneurs do both by taking...

North East a place for business investment
I came to the North East in 2003 and have been working to attract capital for businesses here ever since. Looking back, the investment community...

Loans or Equity the big question...
Many businesses seeking cash to start-up or grow face the question which is best for me, a loan or selling some shares to an equity...

Angel Funds North East Innovation
Rivers Capital Partners, managers of the Finance for Business North East Angel Fund, are delighted to announce 2014 as the most successful operating year since...

Excellence in Digital Enterprise award in Realsafe hands
REALsafe® Technologies scooped a highly prized ‘Excellence in Digital Enterprise’ Award as part of the British Banking Association (BBA) ‘Excellence in Women’s Enterprise Mentoring Awards’...

Rivers Capital Investee Nominated for National Entrepreneur Award
Pictured from left to right are Andrew Richardson and Zoe Farrington Zoe Farrington, Managing Director at REALsafe Technologies, has been nominated for one of the most...

Business growth fund clocks up 50th investment milestone
A business growth fund has reached a major milestone with the completion of its 50th investment. The Finance for Business North East Angel Fund has invested...

Contract Bottling toasts funding for expansion
Sunderland-based Contract Bottling Ltd (CBL) secured the funding with Newcastle venture capital firm, Rivers Capital Partners The deals are flowing in for a North East soft...

So, you’ve raised the Start-Up Capital...What’s next?
Firstly, congratulations are in order! I'm sure that if you have raised your seed capital, ordinarily a tantalising couple of hundred thousand pounds sterling if...

Motorbike social network speeds to second angel investment
An online networking platform aimed at UK motorbike enthusiasts has landed its second angel investment since the start of the year. REALRIDER® is a motorcycle community...

Mobile App could save thousands of Motorists
New app for motorcycling reduces risk: REALRIDER gets 10,000 users in 6 months due to its clever, life-protecting use of mobile’s GPS feature A new mobile app,...