Investment bank opens new North of England office

(L-R) senior advisor Stuart Watson, head of office Simon J French and non-executive director James Lambert

Panmure Gordon has opened a new office in Leeds to provide investment banking services to high-growth potential companies and institutional clients across the North of England.

The UK investment bank is led by chief executive Rich Ricci, former CEO of Barclays corporate and investment bank, who noted the business was “bullish about the North of England and its many entrepreneurs and enterprises”. It has appointed managing director Simon French as head of office and he will be supported by senior advisor Stuart Watson, formerly a managing partner at accountancy firm EY and head of its Entrepreneur of the Year programme in the UK.

Specialising in helping fast-growing corporate and institutional clients it offers the full range of investment banking services, Panmure Gordon is owned by Atlas Merchant Capital, the specialist investor founded by Bob Diamond, former CEO of Barclays, the bank also includes non-executive director James Lambert, the award-winning Yorkshire entrepreneur.

Recent activities include acting as joint broker and book-runner on Urban Logistics REIT plc’s £250m share issue and nominated advisor and joint book-runner on the £350m IPO of Life Science REIT plc.

French said: “We have opened our new office in the North of England because we want to be close to our clients and we believe in building strong, long-term relationships at a local level. There is huge appetite for growth capital and with our expertise, experience and networks in the public and private markets, we are extremely well placed to provide market-leading investment banking services to high-growth potential companies and institutional clients across the North of England.”

Ricci added: “Panmure Gordon fully understands the power of having a regional presence and is committed to all corners of the wider northern region from our new base in Leeds. We are bullish about the North of England and its many entrepreneurs and enterprises and we look forward to supporting the success of companies and clients of all shapes and sizes with our extensive advisory and capital-raising capabilities.

“We are delighted to welcome Stuart Watson to our investment bank. As one of the region’s most trusted advisors, he has an outstanding track record in helping mid-market listed, private equity-backed and private companies to achieve their growth ambitions.”

Panmure Gordon’s new office is at Northspring, Park Row in central Leeds.

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