MEMBERS NEWS
MSIF APPOINT FIRST LCR ANGELS DIRECTOR
After an extensive recruitment process led by CRSI, MSIF is delighted to announce the appointment of Katie Nicholson as Director of the Liverpool City Region Angel Network. Founded in March of 2018, the LCR Angel Network exists as an important link for active angel investors in the Liverpool City Region and provides quality investment opportunities for angels and entrepreneurs alike. Following a combined £1 million investment from MSIF and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the angel network will now establish itself as an independent organisation, with the focus to build on the existing foundations. Following a recruitment process in which candidates were asked to demonstrate their ability and plans on how they intend to continue attracting quality angels and assist in developing investor ready entrepreneurs, Katie will now be tasked with implementing formal processes and structures to LCR Angels to generate successful investment opportunities. Katie brings with her an extensive network and deep understanding of emerging markets that will further enhance LCR
Angels capabilities in the region and will be key in fostering effective relationships within the city with both angels, entrepreneurs and Liverpool Chamber members looking for investment to grow their business. Prior to joining LCR Angels, Katie launched and managed the Bridge Angel Network in her native Isle of Man, participated on the Fund Her North Steering Committee and founded the successful strategic and communications business, Petra Consulting, highlighting her sound business acumen and eye for identifying companies with significant growth potential. Commenting on her appointment Katie said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed in this new role for the LCR Angel Network. I know how valuable a successful angel network is – providing that vital support and funding for businesses at that very early-stage. “There is a great deal of positive activity and support within the wider LCR
Katie Nicholson
entrepreneurial ecosystem, this is testament to the commitment of the Combined Authority, as well as organisations such as MSIF. I’m now looking forward to working with networks such as the Liverpool Chamber who have a fantastic membership to identify how we can best work together to increase angel capacity and support qualifying businesses looking for investment.”
MORECROFTS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH MANAGEMENT “SUCCESSION” TRAINING Morecrofts Solicitors have launched a management training programme aimed at “transforming excellent lawyers into excellent businesspeople”. Eight senior associates at the firm have taken part in the tailored four-week programme, led by external and internal specialists in a range of topics such as finance, HR and compliance, to equip them to succeed into management roles in the future. Each was asked to present a business plan for a different area of the business that would not only enhance turnover and profit, but also retain the core values and culture of Morecrofts, which was founded 210 years ago and has six offices in the Liverpool city region. Alison Lobb, managing partner at Morecrofts Solicitors, said: “For any experienced lawyer aspiring to take the next step in their career, an ability to look beyond their own area of work, understand what makes a business tick and take a wider view of the legal landscape is invaluable.
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“We know management skills are not typically part of legal training, so our new management training programme is bespoke to the professional needs and ambitions of our senior associate team and also to the cultural architecture of Morecrofts. “Over the course of many years, we have created a legal firm with a unique personality, which empowers young lawyers – male and female – to pursue a successful career and give the very best service to clients, while also maximising their enjoyment of personal or family life. “We want to futureproof this identity and create a succession process that equips the next generation of Morecrofts leaders
with the skills to preserve what we have and adapt to the future demands of the legal market. We hope to transform excellent lawyers into excellent businesspeople.” The programme was facilitated by Michelle Howard and is part of a wider series of training, including Institute of Leadership and Management training for all qualified staff and management.
