Hopwood to head up new Yorkshire Equity Fund

CRAIG Hopwood has been hired to head up the newly created Yorkshire Equity Fund.

The £48m equity linked investments fund is part of the new £90m venture capital and loan fund recently created through Finance Yorkshire.

It aims to help small and medium sized businesses meet the gaps in funding they need for development or acquisitions.

Funding is available through a mix of loan, mezzanine and equity investments and is aimed at backing businesses, management teams and entrepreneurs who are looking for investment of up to £2m.

The fund can also invest in much larger transactions alongside other finance providers.

Mr Hopwood joins from Leeds-based private equity firm Spirit Capital Partners, where he has been part of its investment team since 2006.