Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance (RGCF) has welcomed an experienced dealmaker back to the firm, with Alex Simpson returning to become CF Director.
Having previously spent six years with the Newcastle-based national corporate finance boutique, Alex subsequently joined Mercia Ventures as an investment professional, helping high growth North East-based SMEs to scale through seed and series A funding rounds, which saw Alex provide investment totalling over £11m to a variety of businesses, including Newcells, ART Health Solutions, Troo and PulmoBioMed.
Having started his career with ‘Big Four’ firms Deloitte and EY within their audit teams, Alex made the move into corporate finance when he joined RGCF in 2015.
Advising on the sale and acquision of businesses valued at between £5m and £75m, Alex also advised on debt and equity refinancing and fundraise projects while providing strategic advisory services, working his way up from CF Executive to CF Senior Manager.
Joining Mercia Ventures in 2021 as an Investment Manager, Alex delivered a number of significant transactions and investment programmes, including in the medical technology sector. His advice helped Newcastle-based Newcells Biotech secure £2.35m of funding, and Northumbria University spin-out PulmoBioMed raise £1.4m. Alex also sat on a number of boards during his time with Mercia, providing strategic advice and assisting with the growth of portfolio companies.
Alex’s expertise enhances RGCF’s talented team of corporate finance specialists, which is one of the most active in the North East, as recognised in the most recent Experian rankings, advising clients in the region, across the UK and overseas on all aspects of growth, change and transformation.
The firm has a strong presence in sectors including human capital, technology, energy & renewables, industrials and professional services with an expanding client base in these key markets.
Alex Simpson said: “I am excited to return to RGCF, bringing my broader range of skills and experience to the firm. My time with Mercia Ventures gave me a different perspective of the investment market, which will be of benefit to our clients.
“RGCF’s reputation continues to grow, as does the team, which is soon to be two dozen strong, and I’ve seen its team of excellent people deliver some significant transactions in the time I’ve been away. I’m looking forward to working with them again on some large and interesting deals.”
Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at RGCF, said: “Alex is an exceptional dealmaker, a trusted and liked professional and friend, and I am delighted to welcome him back to RGCF. We have an exceptional pipeline of transactions in the coming months and the strengthening of our team further signals our ambitions to continue to build on our position as one of the most active and successful CF boutiques, advising clients nationally.”