Andy Leach joins NVM

ANDY Leach, who until last summer was the chief executive of North West Business Finance, which runs the North West Fund, has been appointed by NVM Private Equity.

In his new role, Mr Leach, an experienced PE investor, will be an investment partner based in Manchester and responsible for new opportunities.

Martin Green, managing director of NVM: “Andy is a very experienced investor with an excellent track record. He has some strong contacts not only in the North but throughout the UK and I am sure he will bring an added dimension to the NVM offering.”

Mr Leach,added: “With its reputation, capital and strong investment team, NVM is well-placed to capitalise on investment opportunities that will arise in the UK regional market – something that resonates strongly with my own experience across the region.”

Mr Leach left North West Business Finance, which ran the £150m North West Fund  in July 2012, after concerns were raised by some of the funders about the pace of investment in some of the sub-funds.

Mr Leach has 26 years of private equity experience, with the last 20 being focused on the North West.

Before launching and leading North West Business Finance, he was a director at mid-market private equity investor LDC in Manchester.

His CV also includes launching Montagu Capital, a sister company to Montagu Private Equity, set up to invest in UK based businesses in the sub-£50 million value range.

He first worked in the region in the now closed Manchester office of 3i, spending 10 years as part of the investment team where his deals included the initial investment made by 3i into retailer Pets at Home.