Hands-on help for the companies you back.
Regional investors often back founders who have never run a board. The money helps. A senior operator in the business in the first year often helps more.
Where an operator earns their place
The need tends to arise in one of these places:
Diligence needs an operator’s eye
Someone who can judge the management and the operating model, and say what the spreadsheet cannot.
A finance lead is missing
A portfolio company with a bookkeeper and an accountant, and no one who can build the monthly pack.
The team is thinly spread
Too many companies for the board seats available, and warning signs that go unseen.
Founders new to governance
Good operators learning how to report to investors and run a board meeting.
Investment teams get access to vetted operators at short notice, for diligence, interim cover or a set piece of work. We supply operators, not investment advice. Confidentiality and conflicts are agreed at the start.
Who this is for, and who it is not
Best for
- Adding operational value to investees without taking on management risk
- Giving founders a vetted operator you can refer with confidence
- Supporting several portfolio companies from one standing relationship
- Professionalising an investee while respecting its existing culture
- Staying in your governance role while the engagement is run for you
Not for
- Installing a controlling manager to run the company for you
- A single one-off introduction with no ongoing oversight
- Investors who want to direct day-to-day operations themselves
- A freelancer directory rather than a managed engagement
What a regional investor gets
Hands-on operating support is a familiar part of backing growth companies in the north west. We supply vetted operators for it, with governance around each engagement.
A governed engagement
Each operator works to a brief agreed with you and the company, reviewed on a set rhythm, with confidentiality settled at the start.
Several disciplines from one brief
Finance, operations and commercial operators in the collective can each be called on as the portfolio needs.
Continuity we arrange
If an operator moves on, we search again from the company's brief and run the handover with your team.
Matched to first-time founders
Plenty of regional founders are new to boards. We match operators who can teach governance without taking over.
The partnership model
One relationship. Portfolio-wide coverage.
Establish the standing relationship
We understand your investment thesis, your portfolio, and the types of leadership gaps most common across your investments.
You introduce us when needed
When a portfolio company needs operational leadership, you make the introduction. We handle everything else.
The right operator, fast
Discovery, matching, scoping, engagement management, and ongoing oversight, without you managing or coordinating it.
Visibility without burden
Lightweight reporting to you, not operational detail, but confidence that the engagement is performing. Investor-grade oversight without investor-level involvement.
Support by investor type
Different investors carry different portfolio needs. We match the operator to the need and manage the engagement, so it never lands back on you.
The operators we embed in your portfolio companies
Every operator is matched to the portfolio company's stage, sector and challenge.
Trusted across
