Entrepreneurs to focus on Edinburgh
Entrepreneurs, Investors and Advisors are meeting in Edinburgh on 30 August at a Ready Steady Grow 2022 event being hosted by the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA).
As the UK faces major economic challenges and looks towards new growth businesses to help regenerate the economy through the levelling up agenda, the EISA is bringing together entrepreneurs, start-up and SME investors, wealth managers and business advisers to meet and share knowledge on funding options for entrepreneurs and the latest developments in the EIS industry.
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Scheme (SEIS), are recognised as extremely valuable in ensuring the UK has a thriving start up culture. The schemes help entrepreneurs secure crucial investment by attracting initial equity funding for growth businesses from private investors. Since the schemes were launched, over £27billion has been invested in more than 52,000 businesses.
Director General of the EISA Christiana Stewart-Lockhart commented, “Edinburgh is a major centre for investment and entrepreneurship. At the EISA we are keen to drive the levelling up agenda and put the spotlight on key areas outside of the South East. That’s why we are delighted to be bringing together small businesses, investors, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and business advisers – all in one place to hear from leading entrepreneurs and SME industry experts.”
Sharing their advice at the event will be Paul Atkinson from Par Equity, Dr Poonam Malik from University of Strathclyde, Brian Moretta from Hardman & Co, Neil Norman who leads Chiene + Tait’s tax department, and, in addition to Christiana Lockhart-Stewart from the EISA.
Leading entrepreneurship experts Claudia Cavalluzzo, Director at Converge, and Kerry Sharp, Director of Entrepreneurship & Investment at Scottish Enterprise, will also be speaking at the reception.
The event will be held at the Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LT on 30 August, starting with the technical seminar at 16:30, and followed by a networking reception at 17:30.
Notes to Editors:
Details of Seminar Speakers:
Paul Atkinson, Par Equity
Paul is Chairman of the Par Investor Network, working to grow and diversify Par’s range of investors and deal originators across the north of the UK. He is an entrepreneur and serial angel investor in his own right, with a substantial track record of building value for companies in the technology and services sector, and taking them to a successful exit.
Neil Norman, Chiene + Tait
Neil co-leads Chiene + Tait’s tax department. He specialises in corporate and entrepreneurial work, working with clients on tax planning and tax relief claims including Enterprise Investment Schemes, Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes, Share Schemes, Research & Development tax relief and company disposals. Neil leads Chiene + Tait’s award-winning Entrepreneurial team. He and his team work closely with start- and scale-ups, spin-outs, business accelerators, life science organisations, angel investor networks and entrepreneurs across the UK to help businesses grow and scale. Neil is a member of AGN International’s Board of Directors.
Brian Moretta, Hardman & Co
Brian has had a 20-year career in Financial Services, including more than a decade as a fund manager. He specialised in analysing Financial Services companies at SVM Asset Management, as well as managing two traded endowment funds, an equity fund and working on hedge funds. Brian joined Hardman & Co in February 2013. He holds a PhD in Applied Probability and a BSc in Actuarial Maths and Statistics from Heriot Watt University. In addition to his role with Hardman & Co, Brian lectures on actuarial science and financial economics at Heriot-Watt University, is an examiner for the Faculty & Institute of Actuaries, and is on the Bankers without Borders Financial Modelling Reserve Corp.
Dr Poonam Malik, University of Strathclyde
Poonam is an entrepreneurial business strategist, Life Sciences leader and an investor in Innovation. She is Head of Investments at the University of Strathclyde – responsible for strategic leadership of University’s enhanced Investments with multiple Funds into entrepreneurial and commercialisation business ideas. A GlobalScot, Scottish Enterprise Board Member- Climate Champion, Skills Development Scotland Board Director and Firstport, Social Enterprise, Trustee- Dr Malik brings 25+ years expertise in technology, businesses, and research & innovation. Dr Malik is Chair, Founder, NED, Board Advisor/Mentor for technology startups/scaleups and syndicate Investor with Investing Women Angels- supporting entrepreneurs/founders and female angel investors. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, Equality, Diversity & Inclusive (ED&I) values, climate change/NetZero & health impact. Poonam is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE) and Royal Society of Biology (FRSB). She sits on many national Committees and holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences/Virology from the University of Glasgow, UK, an MBA (with Distinction) in ‘Strategy and Leadership’ from the University of Edinburgh Business School, a Masters (MSc) degree in Biotechnology and a Bachelors (BSc) in Chemistry & Zoology from India.
Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, Director General, EISA
Christiana is the Director General of the Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA). She previously spent more than a decade working in Westminster including ten years at the Institute of Economic Affairs. She also founded EPICENTER, a Brussels based network of some of the most respected think tanks from across Europe. Christiana holds a BA in Politics from the University of York. She is a member of TISA’s Children’s Financial Education Policy Council and also sits on the Advisory Board for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship.