Fearless Adventures puts another woman at the top with new senior hires

Wilmslow-headquartered investment platform Fearless Adventures has appointed two senior hires in newly created roles.

Oli Connolly joins the company as Investment Director, where he will be responsible for accelerating the business’s coverage and capacity.

He has previously worked with high-growth startups and private equity-backed firms across his career in the North, having previously served in senior roles with corporate law firms in the North West.

Emily Smithies (pictured, right) has been appointed as Investor Relations Director. In her new role, she will manage relationships with Fearless Adventures’ growing investor community. She will support stakeholders, drive growth plans and work with the financial community to deliver fundraises.

She has previously held senior positions in the North West at Coutts Bank and Natwest.

The company, launched in October 2021 by entrepreneurs David Newns, Dominic McGregor and Charlie Yates, is an investment platform designed to support ecommerce entrepreneurs.

Rachel McDonald (pictured, left), Fearless Adventures’ Managing Director, said: “In addition to the strength in depth that Emily and Oli bring, our new hires reinforce our commitment to senior female leaders in business. We support female founders, our senior management team is majority female and we’re a recent signatory to the Investing in Women’s Code, which means we support the advancement of female entrepreneurship in the UK.

“I’m super excited to work with them, and I know our investors and partners will benefit hugely from their experience, expertise and enthusiasm.”