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Foresight Group (“Foresight”), a leading independent private equity and infrastructure investment manager, is pleased to announce that Matt McLoughlin has joined the Private Equity Team. Based in Cambridge, Matt will support the deployment and management of the recently launched Foresight East of England Fund.

Matt brings over 15 years’ deal experience and joins Foresight from Grant Thornton, where he led the Transaction Services Team in the Central and East of England region, advising mid-market corporates, lenders and equity investors across a range of transaction types and sizes.  Prior to Grant Thornton, Matt spent 11 years in corporate finance at Deloitte.

The Foresight East of England Fund is Foresight’s fifth regional private equity fund and was launched with the aim of investing in companies in the thriving SME sector in the East of England. Cornerstoned by the Cambridgeshire Pension Fund, the £100 million Fund targets long term value growth for investors and provides a permanent pool of capital to fund businesses in the region and beyond, breaking new ground as an evergreen pool of patient capital targeted at the small company private equity sector in the UK.

The Fund will typically invest up to £5 million into established companies with a view to assisting management with their growth ambitions.  It will invest across a broad range of sectors, across the full range of transaction types including buy-outs and equity release.

The East of England is home to more than 20,000 small established companies.  Whilst it receives significant venture capital funding for early stage businesses, the region is not well served by private equity to support established, smaller companies.  The Fund will address this funding gap, bringing not only capital but Foresight’s insight and expertise to the companies in which it invests.

Commenting on Matt’s appointment, Matthew Smith, Partner at Foresight, said: “We are delighted to have Matt on board.  His extensive knowledge and contacts in the region’s business community will be an invaluable asset in the development of the Foresight East of England Fund. We look forward to adding to the team over time.”

Matt McLoughlin added: “I am delighted to have joined Foresight Group to play a leading role in the investment of the new Foresight East of England Fund. Having worked in the region for a number of years, I know there are many SMEs who will be able to use this type of funding to support and supercharge their growth ambitions.  I’m excited to meet as many of them as I can and look forward to playing a role in the continuing success of the region.”