Corporate Finance Lunch 2024

Michael operates as an Investment Director, overseeing a portfolio of investments, and as the Head of Corporate Finance for Together, the UK’s largest non-bank lender. Specialising in high-value partnerships and strategic opportunities, his extensive career spans both large and small advisory businesses, latterly holding directorships across financial services and technology businesses. A Chartered Accountant by training and originally from Manchester, Michael lived in France during his formative years and has also worked professionally in London. Known for his straightforward and commercial approach, he boasts a strong track record in equity and debt-funded M&A transactions within the small to mid-market deals space and has worked with several of the UK’s fastest-growing companies.

Erin is a member of the North West Corporate Finance Team and has worked on a wide variety of transaction support and business advisory engagements, working with a range of business types, sectors and sizes.

Erin has a wealth of expertise in serving a diverse range of clients, including entrepreneurial, private equity backed and privately owned businesses. As a Director in our Manchester office, she provides a range of due diligence services such as vendor due diligence, vendor assist, buy-side due diligence and associated services.

Erin has a commitment to ‘future-proofing’ businesses by offering early-stage advice that empowers clients to make informed decisions and realize their long-term aspirations. She is spearheading the strategic implementation of Saffery’s pre-transaction offerings, including bespoke advice, vendor due diligence, and vendor assistance services. Recognising the evolving needs of our clients in today’s fast-paced business landscape, Erin champions these services as a pivotal element of Saffery’s forward-thinking approach, enabling us to provide support at every stage of a transaction.

Jodi Birkett is a partner in Deloitte’s Financial Advisory practice. Jodi leads the Transaction Services team in the North West and works across privately owned businesses, private equity houses and their portfolios and listed businesses. Jodi focuses on the Telecoms, Media and Telecoms industries as well as Consumer, including retail, travel and professional services.

Jodi is the Clients and Industries lead for Financial Advisory in the UK and across North South Europe and also leads our TMT sector in the Regions and a member of the UK TMT Exec.

Andy Feeke is a founding partner of MHA Moore and Smalley Manchester and Head of Corporate Finance which is one of the largest Corporate Finance teams in the North West.  He sits on the MHA Moore & Smalley leadership team as well as leading on Governance within the Firm’s focus to bake in ESG at the heart of everything we do.  Andy was awarded The Business Desk, Rainmaker Award for 2023 in recognition of his reputation in the market and delivering the best outcomes for shareholders and businesses and wider stakeholders.

Michelle has worked with SMEs across the lower mid-market space for almost a decade and brings a wealth of experience in the financial services and business banking industry from her time working at Clydesdale Bank and more recently, Virgin Money. There she has spent the last two years as a director in acquisition leveraged finance. 

Michelle plays a key role in servicing the increasing levels of demand for funding to support the growth of mid-sized SMEs across the North and Midlands, with a particular focus on supporting private equity backed businesses. 

Lucie Mills is a Partner at Lower-Mid-Market firm NorthEdge. With eight years’ experience working in a private equity backed business, Lucie joined NorthEdge in 2019 to bring her experience of delivering transformational change in a fast growth business to the private equity house itself.

Lucie is responsible for supporting NorthEdge portfolio companies to operationalise and deliver their value creation plan, connecting leaders across the portfolio with specialist operating partners, running the NorthEdge portfolio forums for leaders in multiple functions to share learnings and best practice and takes responsibility for ESG – recognising the role it plays in building better businesses and driving long-term value creation.

Sharon Amesu is a multi-award winning Professional Speaker who started her career in Law. She was a Criminal Barrister for 16 years with a successful practice across the Northwest of England. Sharon now runs a Consultancy that supports organisations with Leadership Development and Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. As a Professional Speaker, Sharon is invited to speak to national and international audiences on Women in Leadership, Inclusive Leadership and Leading with Courage.

Sharon is a Founding Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows, St George’s House, Windsor Castle, a former Industry Fellow of the University of Salford Business School, and former Branch Chair for the Institute of Directors. Sharon is a member of the Northwest Business Leadership Team and is a Board member of The Hallé Orchestra.  Sharon was recognised as a Northern Power Woman in the prestigious in the Northern Power Women list of 2021.