Asset management firm invests £11m during lockdown

SME investor Mercia Asset Management says it has invested more than £11m in the seven weeks since the lockdown began.

The Henley-in-Arden based company says it is still open for business, having completed 26 transactions during the crisis including new investments and support for its existing portfolio companies.

Mercia – which has around £300m in unrestricted free cash within venture capital, private equity and debt to invest – is urging entrepreneurs and business owners to press ahead with their growth plans as the lockdown is being unwound.

Mercia’s CEO Mark Payton says it is now “more important than ever” that businesses outside London receive their fair share of both investment and government support, or the regions face losing the gains they have made in recent years.

“With nearly 80% of high-growth businesses based outside of London, regional SME investment will be crucial to economic recovery and to building the technology and healthcare industries of the future,” he says.

“Regional SMEs have historically been underserved by finance providers. During the financial crisis of 2008 the funding disparity between London and the UK regions rapidly grew, with investment in the North and the Midlands falling by circa 70% compared to a 55% drop in London and the South East.

“It took until 2018 for regional investment to recover to pre-crisis levels. Since then we have made real progress in closing the gap and many regional cities are now thriving hubs. However, the predicted recession caused by COVID-19 could be even deeper than the last and we must ensure the regions don’t suffer disproportionately once again.

“Mercia is committed to supporting regional SMEs over the long-term, and has the funds and experience to do so. However, we need to ensure that the regions have access to relevant and immediate public sector funding  and a voice in designing any of the national measures that government will be rolling out post-COVID-19.”