Last night, Jenson Funding Partners was named runner up for Best SEIS Investment Manager at the inaugural Growth Investor Awards, which recognises impact beyond investment in the UK SME finance industry.
The Best SEIS Investment Manager award, sponsored by RW Blears, recognises a top performing fund manager specialising in Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes. Judges looked at impact on the investee company, product development and adviser outreach.
Jenson Funding Partners was up against Symvan Capital and Daedalus Partners – which won the award. Finalists were honoured at a black tie dinner attended by 300 guests at the Marriott Grosvenor Square in Mayfair.
The Awards are organised by Intelligent Partnership (IP), the UK’s leading provider of research and education on alternative investment, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of impact and innovation in growth capital.
Opening the ceremony, IP’s Managing Director Guy Tolhurst said: “Tonight we honour those innovating in financial services and putting investment to work in SME’s. They do things differently. They don’t see venture capital schemes as just a way to save their clients’ tax. They see businesses that can innovate, grow and create new jobs – and in doing so they make us all more prosperous.”
A two stage judging process to identify 12 winners from 36 finalists was supported by a panel of 35 independent judges. Daniel Kiernan, IP’s Research Director who headed up the shortlist, commented: “By designing a judging process around impact beyond investment on investee companies, the Growth Investor Awards enables the industry to demonstrate its unique contribution while differentiating its leading players. The credibility and prestige of these awards comes from an influential Advisory Board and an eminent panel of independent judges.”
Daniel Kiernan added: “Judges commended Jenson Funding Partners for its impact on investee companies and how its non-funding support and direction has provided real opportunities – in particular the cross-over of directors and identifying investee company synergies.”
Sarah Barber, CEO said: “We are delighted to be recognised by the GIA and the panel, the team at Jenson Funding Partners and Jenson Solutions have worked incredibly hard over the past few years to make a success of our SEIS & EIS Funds”.
The economic importance of tax advantaged venture capital schemes was a theme for two keynote speeches at the ceremony. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke MP, highlighted the broader economic impact of the billions that have been invested in SMEs through EIS, SEIS and VCT in terms of employment and tax contributions.
David Gauke, said: “It’s important to acknowledge the key role played by growth investors in helping small businesses start, expand, and reach their full potential. The government provides a range of support to encourage this type of investment, including through the tax-advantaged venture capital schemes which have supported more than 22,000 companies to access over £17.5 billion of investment. Without access to the finance they need to develop their vision, companies with great ideas would struggle to fulfil their potential, and Britain would lose out.”
Visit www.growthinvestorawards.com/winners for a full list of all winners and runners up.
