With 35 companies and individuals shortlisted for the inaugural Growth Investor Awards, their entries have now gone forward to the next stage of judging to be scored by an independent panel.

Alex Evans, Content Director of Intelligent Partnership and the Growth Investor Awards commented: “To recognise innovation in fund management and impact on SME growth, this judging panel combines insight and perspectives from thought-leaders within and outside the alternative investment and growth capital industries. This adds credibility to our two stage judging process and prestige to these coveted industry awards.”

Judges include Guy Rigby, Head of Entrepreneurship at Smith & Williamson; Jenny Tooth OBE, CEO of the UK Business Angels Association; Aine Kelly, Head of Financial Sector & Investor Engagement at Big Society Capital; David Brookes, Head of Tax at BDO; and Tim Farazmand, Managing Director of LDC and former chairman of the BVCA. Profiles of confirmed judges are now available, with more judges being announced in coming weeks.