Being principles led shaped my decision to study Accounting and Financial Management at Loughborough University, where I also gained hands-on experience at EY, a Big-4 accounting firm, and began my journey to becoming a Chartered Accountant. Over seven years at EY in London, I worked closely with founders, management teams, and private equity investors, supporting corporate transactions such as acquisitions and sales. Seeking a more hands-on role (and a return to the North), I joined a boutique corporate finance house in Manchester in 2017. Working on smaller transactions allowed me to deliver greater value, including helping founders of two Manchester-based start-ups secure investment from Mercia Ventures and others. This experience sparked my passion for supporting teams in achieving their ambitions and introduced me to the dynamic world of venture capital. In 2021, I joined Mercia, focusing on B2B software investments with a particular interest in cybersecurity. I've since led three investments in the sector and supported four portfolio companies, expanding my understanding of the principles and fundamentals that drive success. I’m driven by the opportunity to empower ambitious teams and help scale businesses that create meaningful impact.