Jonathan Gold, Chief Executive

Jonathan is the founder of Finance Tree. He was also a founding director of NStar in 2003 and left in March 2008 to set up Finance Tree. A specialist on investment readiness, concept and seed finance, Jonathan has a background in business development and of technology with extensive experience of the Japanese market. He has raised over £30m in venture capital and created more than 6 venture funds and worked as a director in several.

He established several early stage seed capital and venture funds attracting capital from public and private sources for investment in small companies and academic spin-out companies. Prior to joining NStar he created several early stage funds worth in total £19m and managed the operations side of the £4m Rainbow Seed Fund.

He served as the Chief Executive of NorthStar Equity Investors, for its first year of operation, overseeing the creation and establishment of the £10m Proof of Concept Fund and a £23m Co-Investment Fund. While on secondment to the DTI he managed several projects including the first University Challenge Funds with over £56m of finance creating over 15 seed capital funds across UK universities.

He is a minor investor in his own right and has served as a non-executive director of some technology product development companies and has been a member of the investment committee of the North East Proof of Concept Fund for 4 years. Jonathan is also a member of the Entrepreneurs Forum.

Peter Hiscocks, Director

Peter is a fellow founder of Finance Tree. He developed and runs the course programme of NStar Finance and Business our investment readiness programme. He is currently head of Innovation Management at the Judge Business School and is managing several research projects on the success factors for new hi tech business ventures.  Peter is the principal inventor on six patents, is Chairman of one hi tech company and is on the Board of three others: he has achieved two successful exits. He is an active business angel and on the advisory board of a Venture Capital firm.

Peter has designed, developed and delivered many teaching programmes relating to entrepreneurship and raising investment for early stage business ventures. These courses have been at the University of Cambridge, Cass Business School (City University), Imperial College School of Management, University of Auckland (where he is Visiting Professor), Instituto Superior Tecnico Lisbon (where he is Visiting Fellow).

Iain Stein, Head of Finance

Iain is Company Secretary and Financial Controller at Finance Tree, having guided us through our MBO. He is also a director and shareholder of Till Services Limited, the holder of a small property portfolio. Prior to his work with Till Services he part of the management team that disposed of the Brewery to Scottish and Newcastle plc in 2004 (for c. £36m). Recently involved in the MBO (2004) and subsequent disposal (2006) of the "tied estate" of the former Federation Brewery and the establishment and VCT backed funding (£10m) of a managed pub operator, Wear Inns Limited (2007). This followed his position as Finance Director with Federation Brewery in from 1997 (turnover £55m).  With a degree in Economics and Accounting Iain joined Peat Marwick Mitchell 1981. Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1983 and progressed to Supervising Senior in charge of Audit and tax compliance work. 

David Pope

David had twelve years at Brewin Dolphin Securities Plc in the corporate broking team. During this period David specialised in Leisure and Media investments and led numerous fund raisings and transactions. This more recently led to a corporate finance appointment at a radio business which culminated in the sale of nine radio stations to multiple buyers. David continues to maintain extensive networks in Leisure and Media, although has identified renewable energy and waste to energy as key growth areas over the coming decade and already has planned fund raisings in the pipeline. David has an MBA from Durham University and is a fellow of The Securities & Investment Institute.

Jane A Reynolds

Jane brings 20 years experience in management, consultancy and training in the UK, US and the Netherlands. She has a strong knowledge of regional and national investment programmes gained from the global training and consultancy company General Physics. Jane holds a Diploma in Management Studies and an MSc in Counselling and Supervision from Glasgow Caledonian University.

Paul Freeman

Paul has extensive experience within the private, public and voluntary sectors. He joins NStar from Newcastle University where he was manager of the Enterprise Centre. Paul has a particular interest in intellectual property and has recently published on this topic. A growing interest in knowledge transfer led to him being the first person in the UK to be awarded a postgraduate qualification in this topic.

Ian Robson

Ian is a highly qualified director of sales, marketing and business development with UK and international experience, most recently in the biotechnology, healthcare, utilities and environmental sectors.

He is a scientist with experience of building and managing regional, national and international networks in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences - driving new company formation and the growth of existing companies by creating and managing innovative initiatives for research, development, technology transfer and investment. He holds, or has held, a range of executive, non-executive and observer Board positions, as well as responsibilities on regional and national committees, including major government R&D initiatives.

Lyne Barlow

 

Lyne has a considerable background in project facilitation, having worked previously in the not for profit and public sectors.  Lyne's role encompasses organising training courses, office administration and business support. Lyne is currently working towards her Business Management degree part-time, which adds technical knowledge to her practical experience gained during previous management positions.