Research Manager joins Key as team continues to expand
Laura Howes has been appointed as a research manager by private equity house, Key, which has invested significantly in its team since launching a new £80m investment fund for fast growing SMEs last November.
A chartered accountant, Laura joins from RSM UK where she worked as a transaction services manager for almost four years. Prior to that she was a corporate finance executive with Garbutt & Elliott and also worked for Armstrong Watson.
After eight years in corporate finance, Laura has extensive experience of working with owner managed businesses and SMEs across a wide variety of sectors. Her expertise will further bolster Key’s team as it seeks investment opportunities with dynamic businesses throughout the UK.
Owen Trotter, Managing Partner of Key, said: “We’re one of the few PE houses specialising in the smaller buyout market and Laura’s understanding of SMEs is a great fit for us. Her appointment will really boost the team’s research capability – rather than waiting for business opportunities to come to market, Laura will be working with us to actively identify firms with real potential and also with our portfolio companies to identify bolt-on acquisitions to accelerate growth”
This is a really interesting role and a great opportunity to be more directly involved with a portfolio of businesses rather than simply acting as an adviser. My experience means that I understand the SME market and I am really looking forward to being part of such a well-respected and expert team with an impressive track record of driving value in owner managed businesses.
Key has offices in Leeds and London and invests sums of between £3m and £15m, typically in companies valued at between £5m and £50m.