Meet the Team
The South West Ventures Fund is managed by the Bristol office of YFM Venture Finance, part of the YFM Group, the most active venture capital investor in the UK’s small and medium sized enterprise (SME) marketplace.
Peter Davies - YFM Venture Finance, Investment Director - Bristol
Peter joined YFM Venture Finance's Bristol office in April 2005 as Investment Director and leads the team investing the South West Ventures Fund. Peter has over 10 years venture capital experience, having previously been an Investment Director of Advent Venture Partners' VCT division and an Investment Manager at 3i plc. In between these roles, Peter spent several years in corporate finance and business development at Laporte plc, the international speciality chemicals group. Peter qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and has an MA in Chemistry from Oxford University.
Simon Griffiths - YFM Venture Finance, Senior Investment Manager - Bristol
Simon Griffiths has a degree in Accountancy from Cardiff University. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young, with whom he gained 5 years of Corporate Finance experience, before moving to 3i, where he was responsible for equity investments into businesses across the South West and Wales for 5 years. Simon joined the Bristol office of YFM Venture Finance in 2004.
John Baker - YFM Venture Finance, Investment Manager - Bristol
John has a degree in mathematics from London University, an MBA from London Business School and is a chartered accountant. John has worked for Lazard Ventures and Thompson Clive and Partners and is now currently working with the Bristol team investing the South West Ventures Fund.
Alison Dillon - YFM Venture Finance, Investment Manager - Bristol
Alison, a history graduate from the University of Birmingham, is a Chartered Management Accountant and a member of the UK Society of Investment Professionals. She has a wide variety of experience in business management, finance and private equity, having worked both in industry for Cadbury Ltd and British Airways, and in the profession for KPMG Corporate Finance. Alison joined YFM Venture Finance in 2001 as Investment Manager and is responsible for investing equity into suitable businesses in the region.
Emma Hammonds - YFM Venture Finance, Office Manager - Bristol
Emma, after gaining a degree in Hospitality and Licensed Retail Management, went on to gain knowledge and experience in finance and administration by working for companies such as 3i plc and Grant Thornton UK LLP. Emma joined YFM Venture Finance in 2005 as Office manager, assisting the team with investment administration and is responsible for the daily management of the Bristol Office.