With a PhD in Biochemistry from Leeds University, Dr. Andy Round is an accomplished scientist as well as an experienced investor. With a speciality in life sciences, Andy has led on equity investments for MSIF and Maven before joining the Praetura team.

Andy qualified as an ACA with KPMG, working on a number of larger transactions in the UK and overseas. Following that, Andy led an advisory business working largely with private equity supporting buy and build strategies. More recently Andy has acted as CCO in two fintech businesses, helping scale those businesses to profitability.

Ben is a successful technology entrepreneur who founded and built Rippleffect, a full service digital agency before selling the business to Trinity Mirror where he became MD of Digital. Ben is a board member of a number of Praetura’s technology investment businesses and provides significant technology and digital marketing expertise in the appraisal of investments and across the portfolio.

David co-founded Praetura with a background of over 12 years in corporate finance and venture capital. He qualified as an ACA with KPMG and has considerable experience in backing financial services and recurring revenue businesses. David has a focus on the application of data, IT and technology to enable efficiencies within businesses.

Emma worked as a senior designer for various Manchester-based agencies before joining Praetura Ventures. With a background in advertising, she oversees Praetura’s brand identity, working closely with their marketing team to deliver engaging communications and campaigns.

Guy was formerly a Director at KPMG and has extensive SaaS experience and a large network within the technology sector. He co-founded Introstream, a business helping companies connect with technology solutions providers. Guy is a member of Pro Manchester Science and Technology Committee and a mentor for Manchester Tech Trust & Tech North Advocate.

With a background in law, Hannah began her accountancy training at BDO before moving to Grant Thornton’s auditing department.

She now combines her role of Head of Finance at Praetura – which include purchase ledger, payroll, pensions and cost management – with being the FD of portfolio firm Mobedia.

Jamie graduated from Lancaster University in 2015 with a 1st class honours in an Ernst & Young sponsored Accounting & Finance degree. Post-graduation he joined Ernst & Young full time and completed his Chartered Accountancy qualification working on a wide-ranging client base across multiple industries.

Jon has over 20 years experience within the financial services sector. Jon spent over 15 years at AJ Bell as business development manager, forging links with advisors across the country.

More recently, as Area Sales Director at Octopus Investments for the North, Scotland and Northern Ireland, he was responsible for a team of business development managers and for implementation of the group’s sales strategy across the region. Jon has a thorough understanding of the VCT, EIS and BPR arena.

Laura graduated from the University of Surrey with a BA in Dance & Culture, later becoming a choreographer, and a professional dancer for Disney in Paris. She first started working for Praetura Capital in 2015 as an assistant to the partners, taking a full-time role at the firm before it became Praetura Ventures.

As EA to MD David Foreman, Laura’s duties include scheduling meetings and projects between teams, as well as coordinating with external parties and managing internal requirements and resources.

Louise joined Praetura in November 2017 from KPMG where she had spent over nine years in its Advisory business, including a secondment to a clearing bank. Louise is a Chartered Accountant with significant experience in advising SMEs and has undertaken a role as Finance Director of a high growth business.

Mark has extensive experience in investing funds, evaluating and managing business opportunities and working with management teams to implement growth strategies. Most recently Mark held a Director position at a family office with over £1.5bn of assets under management and administration. Mark trained as a Chartered Accountant at PwC.

Having worked in Financial Services for 14 years, including consultant roles at AJ Bell, Mike is a specialist in pensions, ISAs, GIAs and other investment products. His experience and knowledge contributes to his ability to work with advisers, understand the challenges they face and guide investors through the Praetura journey.

Myrto recently joined Praetura Venture’s investment team as Investment Executive. She was previously working in the acceleration space for over 3 years. As the Director of Accelerate ME, Myrto grew student-founded startups and held the role of Partnerships & Network Manager at L Marks, Europe’s largest corporate accelerator operator, where she supported the growth of 250 alumni startups. She founded her own startup whilst completing her MSc in Organisational Psychology from the University of Manchester.

Pete is a qualified accountant with 12 years experience including Finance Director and Financial Controller positions in software and other service businesses. He held the role of Finance Director in a fast growth Artifical Intelligence business, raising over £5m of investment and overseeing a 5x increase in company value in 2 years.

After graduating with a Geography BSc from King’s College London, Ryan began his career running performance marketing campaigns in high-growth industries.

He then held senior marketing roles in FinTech businesses FundApps and Creditspring before joining the Praetura Ventures team. Working with the investment, portfolio and business development teams, Ryan is responsible for marketing and communications strategy, including research, positioning, branding, engagement and more.

Samantha has been living and working in London for the last 13 years. Most recently, she was PA to Directors and Office Manager at pioneering systematic investment management company, Aspect Capital. After recently relocating back up North, Samantha is now PA to Directors Mark Lyons and Guy Weaver and provide supporting to the Investment Team.

Sandra has over 25 years’ experience working in sales and business development within financial services. Her time was spent at Standard Life predominantly within the UK Distribution team for Aberdeen Standard Investments. She has strong partnerships with financial advisers and wealth managers across the North of England and has covered an extensive range of funds, assisting accounts in developing their investment strategy for clients.

Shemaine started as an EA to the GM at BT Financial Group, a leading wealth management firm in her native Australia. She later moved to investment firm Perpetual, as PA to two of the senior execs.

After recently relocating to the UK she is now PA to directors Mark Lyons and Guy Weaver.

Sim has worked in the financial services industry for over 17 years with experience spanning banking, real estate, finance, investments, pensions and funds. Sim’s responsibilities include undertaking financial and qualitative appraisals, marketing, due diligence, project management and client relationship management.

Sophie graduated from the University of Liverpool with a first class degree in Marketing. She interned at BNY Mellon’s marketing department before beginning her career at Praetura Ventures as Marketing Executive. Sophie collaborates with the business development side of Praetura Ventures, designing and implementing marketing campaigns that promote Praetura Ventures to a wide range of investors and their advisors.

With over 15 years spent setting up and supporting the regulatory framework of various financial services firms, Spencer brings with him a wealth of experience in the Investment, Consumer Credit and Life and Pension Markets. His role at Praetura is to ensure that Praetura’s Governance, Risk and Compliance controls are robust, efficient and adhered to.

Steve has approaching 30 years in financial services. His time was spent at Standard Life Aberdeen as business development manager and strategic account manager supporting adviser relationships in the North of England. Steve has thorough knowledge of tax wrapper planning , personal taxation and the use of appropriate investment solutions.

Tom is the Portfolio Financial Controller, providing in-depth analysis on the financial and commercial performance of the Praetura Ventures portfolio of companies. Prior to joining Praetura, Tom held similar financial and analysis roles at leading NW companies including Push Doctor, AO.com and Matalan.