ART recruits former PwC chief as new chair

Former PwC veteran Nick Venning has been elected as the new chair of the board of ART Business Loans.

Mr Venning, who left PwC last year, was also recently appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.

In a long career with PwC, he spent the 12 years before retirement as marketing director of global industries, during which he focused on supply chain markets including automotive, energy utilities and pharmaceuticals.

Industry experience came in roles with Dunlop and foundry group Foseco, before joining PwC forerunner Coopers & Lybrand as a management consultant.

He also has a long association with Birmingham homeless charity St Basils.

ART is a mutual organisation, which lends to businesses across the West Midlands unable to access the finance they need from the banks.  It is governed by a volunteer board of nine directors.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Venning said: “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board and with ART’s staff team to build on (its) impressive record of success over the past 20 years.

“The immediate challenge is to explore new and sustainable funding streams to meet increasing demand for loans.  I am delighted to confirm that ART has at least £7.5m to lend over the next three years – and we will be looking to grow from there.”

Steve Walker, chief executive of ART, said: “With a background in business – including manufacturing, management consultancy and professional services – as well as a long-standing interest in Third Sector affairs – including CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), community and social enterprise plus charitable work, Nick’s experience and ethos fit perfectly with ART.”

Mr Venning will be supported by experienced board member Andeep Mangal, who has been elected deputy chair.