Blake UK

David Newman is Founder and CEO of Firenze, a Manchester-based fintech on a mission to democratise access to Lombard lending - an investment-backed credit product traditionally reserved for high-net-worth individuals. Backed by Outward VC through the British Business Bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds (ECF) programme, Firenze is enabling wealth managers to offer low-interest lending solutions to clients with facilities from £65,000, without moving custody or disrupting investment plans.

Durham-based menswear brand, Charles Grey Menswear Limited, secured a five-figure investment from NPIF II – NEL Smaller Loans, which is managed by NEL Fund Managers as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to accelerate its fast-paced growth across the UK retail landscape.

The entrepreneurs behind two of the UK’s most successful hospitality tech businesses have joined forces to launch a new venture that aims to reshape hospitality recruitment.