Fuelling Ambition

Our People

Our people

Our people are unique and the strength of our team is crucial to our success. Come meet us:

Dr Marc d’Abbadie

Head of Venture & COO

marc.dabbadie@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I am proud to look after River’s Equity practice as well our Operations and Compliance.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Tango
  • Cooking
  • Swimming.

 

Favourite album?

Appetite for Destruction by Guns n’ Roses.

Mark Borzomato

CEO and Head of Private Equity

mark.borzomato@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I am CEO of River and have been involved in private equity and investing for over twenty years. I am passionate about working with and supporting entrepreneurs/management of teams/SME’s to successfully deliver their aspirations. I am responsible for the strategic direction and vision of the business and maintaining our key stakeholder relationships, including with our investors. I am proud to lead a team at River who share this vision.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • I manage a local football team
  • I am a sporadic golfer
  • A regular quiz go-er
  • And full-time sufferer in the pain of being a Middlesbrough FC supporter!

 

Favourite album?

Rattle ‘n’ Hum by U2.

Sue Chambers

Investment Manager

sue.chambers@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I am an Investment Manager supporting small and medium businesses with debt finance up to £250,000 across the North West. In my role, I am also proud to be River’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Theatre
  • Concerts
  • Pilates.

 

Favourite album?

Different Class by Pulp.

Jeff Cummins

Investment Manager

jeff.cummins@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I am an Investment Manager in our Debt team, who works with business owners and advisors to identify funding needs for a business and then deliver the most suitable solutions for that business. I am currently managing all enquiries and applications for the Flexible Growth Fund which is a debt fund aimed at supporting LCR businesses with transformational Capital Expenditure projects.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Playing Golf
  • Watching Football
  • Cycling, to keep fit & to watch.

 

Favourite album?

The soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.

Ethan Dent

Marketing Manager

ethan.dent@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

As Marketing Manager, I’m responsible for the day-to-day planning and execution of all marketing activities and support the business in communicating the types of funds we have available to investors.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Tragically supporting Everton
  • Cricket
  • Walking/Hiking.

 

What is your all-time favourite album?

Six60 by Six60.

John Gray

Head of Debt

john.gray@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

As Head of Debt, I work with the team of Investment managers and oversee a portfolio of over £40m of debt funds, including the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Flexible Growth Fund, and Business Growth Loan Fund 

I’m driven by the company’s long-term goals and ambitions and was particularly drawn to River Capital’s commitment to growing funds under management, which will enable us to provide more efficient and effective support to SMEs not only in the Liverpool City Region but beyond. 

Hobbies?

  • Golf
  • Running
  • Getting out into nature

Fave album? 

Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell

Dave Furlong

Investment Director

dave.furlong@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is your role: I’m responsible for our private equity fund, investing in high quality businesses across the North West looking for help with accelerating their growth, change of ownership (management buy-out etc), succession planning, partial de-risking of owners stakes in businesses and acquisition strategies.

Hobbies outside of work. I’m a keen (but very lapsed!) guitarist who’s moved into the ‘all the gear and no idea’ phase of life. I’m also a Liverpool FC season ticket holder, and lover of rugby, cricket and ice hockey. I’m also a listening volunteer for Samaritans. I also love walking our Labrador with my wife and two daughters. When I can keep up with them….

Favourite Album: Tough choice in a crowded field, but In Rainbows by Radiohead.

Steve Hitchen

Debt Portfolio Manager

steve.hitchen@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I provide post-investment support to our Debt Portfolio clients as their dedicated point of contact. Alongside this I manage the “collections” side of the debt book.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Sporting.Keep fit/gym/rugby training
  • Watching Saints RLFC
  • Dining out.

 

Favourite album?

That’s the Way of the World by Earth, Wind & Fire.

Ben Gregory

Investment Manager

benjamin.gregory@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I am an Investment Manager investing from our flagship Private Equity fund across the North of England. The best part about my job is meeting and learning from ambitious Management teams who have genuine passion for their craft. In my opinion, there are lots of exciting businesses in the market who have aspirations of going on a growth journey but often do not meet the financial criteria set by typical PE funds, which is the gap we are looking to bridge.

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

Outside of work you will usually find me in the gym, playing golf or complaining about Everton.

What is your all-time favourite album?

Same Town by the Killers.

Chris Hood

Retail Operations Director

chris.hood@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role? 

As Retail Operations Director I work closely with Financial Advisers/Intermediaries to enable clients to invest in appropriate Tax Wrappers such as the River Capital AI Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Hobbies or interests outside of work? 

Supporting Liverpool Football Club

Keeping Fit by playing various sports

Travelling

Fave album? 

Back In Black AC/DC

Andy Jones

Investment Manager

andy.jones@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

As part of the Debt Team, I look at funding propositions for businesses of all ages, shapes and sizes who are looking to grow, expand, consolidate or even get off the ground. My part of our business is to look at supporting entrepreneurs and companies looking for between £5,000 and £250,000. I lead on our Small Business Loan Fund which has enabled me to spend time with other small business lenders who are also part of the Responsible Finance network nationally. In addition, as our ESG Champion, I am looking at how our business can reduce its carbon footprint by working on a Net Zero project with the aim of reviewing working practices, energy usage etc to ensure we are playing our part in this critical area.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Socialising with friends and family
  • Tranmere Rovers – following them attending games
  • Tennis – playing and also an active member of the Committee at Pinewood LTC in Heswall.

 

Favourite album?

Melting Pot by The Charlatans.

Jim Moore

Investment Manager

jim.moore@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I focus on purely Loan & Mezzanine Debt Funds assessing and recommending loans typically from £100k up to £1m across the North-West.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • All things Glasgow Celtic
  • All things golfing
  • Holidays involving sunshine.

 

Favourite album?

Anything by the ‘Boss’.

Sarah Moss

Head of Finance

sarah.moss@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I oversee the finance function of the business, including producing monthly management reports, analysis of the business performance and how to drive this forward. In addition, I create annual budgets, cash forecasting and regulatory reporting.

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Running & triathlon training
  • Walking my dog Kip
  • Reading, a good crime novel or self development book.

Favourite album?

It’ll All Make Sense In The End by James Arthur.

Emma Rogers

Business Support Manager

emma.rogers@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I have various jobs within the Company. I support our Debt Investment Team including drawing up offer letters, checking drawdowns, completing KYC/AML checks, making sure required reporting is done on time and dealing with audits of the funds. I also assist our Equity Team with collections and share reconciliations. Alongside the funds, I also help the Financial Controller with monthly/annual accounts.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • I am part of my local judo club where I am also the Club Welfare Officer
  • Spending time with friends – especially our trips to Kraków
  • Swimming.

 

Favourite album?

Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi.

Marion Savill

Portfolio Director

marion.savill@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I manage a portfolio of equity investments mostly in the Merseyside Loan and Equity Fund. In addition to this, I work with the boards of our investee companies to help them achieve their strategic goals and ultimately to maximise the value of our investment via a sale or flotation.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • I enjoy outdoor sports and activities
  • I play hockey for Chester Ladies
  • I am a regular runner and enjoy hill walking
  • I also love travelling and skiing.

 

Favourite album?

21 by Adele.

Jonathan Nelson

Investment Manager

jonathan.nelson@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

About my role:

I assist businesses in Lancashire and Cumbria with access to NPIF II funding and look to provide loans between £25,000 & £100,000k.

Hobbies:

I help manage a senior and Under 23s team at Croston Football Club, watch both my lads play football, regular taxi service for them as well, eating out with my wife Nicola which always includes coffee or a beer and occasionally a walk! Poor golfer, tennis player and exerciser but will give anything a go!

Album:

Parallel Lines by Blondie

Martin Sutton

Venture Partner

martin.sutton@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

My Role:

To find great businesses that could be a fit for FundAI and help the founders navigate the investment process.  Having spent all my career working in fast growth / venture backed tech firms I’m passionate about making the investment process more straightforward for founding teams.

 

Hobbies:
  • Being outdoors either running or walking in the lakes with Lenny our Airedale Terrier followed by a pint of Guinness in a proper pub with a few mates.
  • I’m also a bit of an anorak for older air-cooled Porsches.

 

Favourite album:

Plastic Beach by Gorillaz 

Hannah Taylor

HR Manager

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

As our HR Manager, I am responsible for managing River’s employee life cycle (recruitment, onboarding, training and leavers) as well as the administration of employee benefits. Working alongside the management team, it is my mission to ensure that River’s employees are adequately managed, appropriately compensated and effectively trained.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • Book worm
  • Going to gigs
  • Following Manchester United across the U.K. and abroad.

 

What is your all-time favourite album?

St. Jude by The Courteeners.

David Walters

Investment Director

david.walters@rivercapitaluk.com

0151 236 4040

What is my role?

I work in the Equity Team as a Technology Investment Director and support technology businesses across the region. I have also operated as a CTO at multiple PE backed companies and have also run AI practices. Data and Artificial Intelligence is my superpower and I am a member of the DataIQ 100.

 

Hobbies or interests outside of work?

  • I collect and restore classic Italian scooters
  • I play the guitar
  • I support the mighty Tranmere Rovers.

 

Favourite album?

Sound Affects by The Jam.