High Growth Live: Access to finance

What will the event cover? 

First-hand accounts from industry experts on growth solutions, finding specialist expertise, education opportunities and how to broaden your network to build your business to the next stage 

Gain valuable insights and knowledge from seasoned professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of business growth. Learn about the latest strategies and techniques for building a strong foundation for your business, including finding and leveraging specialized expertise, accessing educational resources, and expanding your network of contacts. 

Agenda 

17:30 - Registration & Networking 

18:00 - Panel commences, including Q&A 

19:00 - Networking, including canapes and refreshments 

Who is this event for? 

Businesses that are looking to grow and want to hear about potential ways to access finance. This is an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, expand your business network, and learn from industry leaders 

If you are unable to join in person, we will share details so that you can tune in, ask questions and watch our expert panel via a live stream. 

Speaker Bios 

Moderator: Katherine Morgan - Head of High Growth & Entrepreneurs, Business Banking, Barclays 

Katherine leads a national team of High Growth relationship experts focused on supporting companies from start-up to scale and exit. Katherine brings her significant experience in business leadership, strategy & execution, sales management and culture change to supporting Entrepreneurs and SMEs looking to innovate and grow. 

Alistair Baillie, CIO/COO, Ship Shape Search Limited 

Alistair is CIO/COO for Ship Shape, the search engine for Venture Capital. Prior to founding Ship Shape he was: COO, regtech; Head of Operations, FX startup; European Director, FX startup that successfully exited; Global Head of Account Management, FX startup that successfully exited. A decade of experience in high-growth companies. Alistair started his career in Corp Strategy, cut his teeth in Program and Project Management, before moving to High-Growth. 

Steve Holt, Programme Director, Angels Invest Wales/Development Bank of Wales 

Steve is Programme Director for Angels Invest Wales. Angels Invest Wales is the biggest angel network in Wales and is an integral part of Development Bank of Wales and currently has a registered cohort of over 300 angel investors. Prior to DBW Steve has significant previous economic development experience having led Welsh Government and Welsh Development Agency teams and programmes establishing international inward investment teams and offices in Europe and more recently London. A mechanical engineer by profession and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Steve has enjoyed a management career in manufacturing prior to moving to the public sector 20 years ago. 

Phil Sampson, PwC Deals Director, PwC 

Phil is the Deals lead for PwC in Wales. Based in Cardiff, with over 10 years of deal experience. Phil’s role includes supporting on buyside and sell side transactions for businesses across the business lifecycle, from start up, owner managed to larger VC/PE back businesses and listed entities. His role also incorporates leading locally on the CCR IIC fund, a £50m equity fund launched in Nov-22 to support scale up businesses across the Cardiff Capital Region. 

Hannah Waters, Investor, BGF 

Hannah joined BGF in Sept-19 and her role sees her working across all areas of the investment process, meeting entrepreneurs and management teams, seeking new investment opportunities and working with BGF’s extensive portfolio. Since joining, she has been involved with seven new investments in a broad range of sectors, from manufacturing to technology to e-commerce and has supported on five board to date. She was previously at Grant Thornton, where she spent five years in the Corporate Finance and Restructuring and Reorganisation teams in Wales.