The British Business Bank has appointed Charlotte Lawrence as its new Managing Director of Direct Equity, a strategic move to bolster its investment activities. Lawrence will spearhead the bank's direct and co-investment programs, aiming to provide crucial capital for the nation's most promising scale-up companies. This appointment signals a significant step in the bank's mission to foster innovation and economic growth across the United Kingdom.
A Veteran Investor Takes the Helm
Charlotte Lawrence brings two decades of high-level experience in corporate finance and growth equity to her new position. Her distinguished career includes senior roles as a Managing Director at PSG Equity and over a decade at The Carlyle Group's European Technology fund. This extensive background, which also includes time at Merrill Lynch and an advisory role at Albion Capital, positions her as a seasoned leader in the investment community.
Expanding Direct Investment Capabilities
In her new capacity, Lawrence will oversee the Bank’s direct investment portfolio, which has grown to include 37 companies since its inception in 2021. This portfolio has established the British Business Bank as the most active late-stage investor in the UK's life sciences and deeptech sectors. Her leadership is expected to build upon this strong foundation, enhancing the Bank's impact on these critical industries.
The appointment aligns with recent reforms to the Bank's investment framework, which will permit an increase in both the number and size of its investments from 2025. These changes are designed to address the funding gap for UK scale-ups, enabling them to compete on a global stage. Lawrence's role will be pivotal in deploying this enhanced capital to support the country's fastest-growing businesses.
Strategic Vision for UK Growth
A key initiative under Lawrence's purview will be the British Growth Partnership, the Bank's new third-party vehicle for attracting institutional capital. The partnership's inaugural fund will focus on a direct investing strategy, leveraging the Bank's unique market position and expertise. This effort aims to channel significant private sector funding into the UK's vibrant venture and growth capital ecosystem.
Leandros Kalisperas, Chief Investment Officer, highlighted the strategic importance of strengthening the Bank's direct investing capability. He noted that these investments provide essential growth capital while ensuring UK taxpayers benefit from the success of high-growth companies. Kalisperas praised Lawrence's exceptional track record, stating her leadership will be critical as the Bank deploys larger investments to help businesses scale.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Charlotte Lawrence emphasized the British Business Bank's central role within the UK's innovation ecosystem. She pointed to the expanded investment capabilities and the new British Growth Partnership as an exceptional opportunity to provide long-term capital. Lawrence stated her commitment to working with the team to scale up support for the next generation of UK champions.
Charlotte Lawrence's appointment marks a pivotal moment for the British Business Bank as it enhances its role in fueling the UK's scale-up economy. Her extensive experience and strategic vision are set to amplify the Bank's direct investment impact, providing critical support for innovative companies. This move ultimately reinforces the Bank's commitment to building a robust and self-sustaining venture capital market in the United Kingdom.