Liverpool based fund manager River Capital, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Gray as its new Head of Debt.
The appointment marks a new chapter for River Capital as Paul Humphray steps down from the role after a remarkable 20 years with the firm, though will remain with the business in a consultancy capacity to ensure a smooth transition of the role before joining the firm’s Investment Committee.
As Head of Debt, John will work with the team of Investment managers and oversee a portfolio of over £40m of debt funds, including the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, Flexible Growth Fund, and Business Growth Loan Fund.
Before joining River Capital, John served as an Investment Manager at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority where he oversaw the Capital Loan Funds and major grant projects, with a specific focus on capital projects supporting local SMEs. This experience grants John extensive knowledge of the regional SME landscape and fosters strong relationships with influential stakeholders within the local eco-system.
Prior to his role at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, John held various positions at Barclays Corporate Bank for over a decade, where he gained expertise in credit, debt advisory, and business development. His final position was as Relationship Director, providing financial support to a portfolio of corporate businesses across the West & North Yorkshire regions.
John’s decision to join River Capital was driven by the company’s long-term goals and ambitions and he was particularly drawn to their commitment to growing funds under management, which will enable River Capital to provide more efficient and effective support to SMEs not only in the Liverpool City Region but beyond.
Commenting on John’s addition River Capital CEO Mark Borzomato said:
“We are delighted to welcome John as our new Head of Debt at River Capital. His extensive experience and proven track record in managing funds and building strong relationships made him the ideal candidate to lead our debt team. With his deep understanding of the regional SME landscape, John brings valuable insights that will enable us to better support our clients.
“As we move forward, River Capital remains committed to its long-term goals and ambitions,. We will continue to prioritise the growth and success of the businesses we support, and John’s leadership will play a crucial role in driving our business forward.
“I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Paul Humphray for his remarkable contributions over the past two decades, not only to our business but also the wider North West region and so many businesses that have benefitted from his support over the past 20 years. We are grateful for his dedication and wish him a well-deserved retirement. He leaves the business is great shape, and with John stepping into this role, we are confident in a smooth transition and the ongoing success of our debt management operations.”
On his appointment, John Gray said:
“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to join River Capital at such an exciting time for the business. Having recently rebranded and having launched additional funds, I was incredibly attracted to the growth trajectory and wanted to be a part of an ambitious journey that includes bringing more funds under management. Drawing upon my experience in regional finance and my commitment to supporting SMEs, alongside my team, I look forward to supporting businesses within Liverpool City Region and beyond.”