Creative Growth Finance

Tim has been with Creative UK for nearly a decade and oversees all investment activity at the organisation. Tim has spent the past 15 years helping entrepreneurs to take innovative and compelling creative products to market and is passionate about the power of business as an engine for positive social change.

As an investment lead, Tim has secured over 50 investments across equity and debt, working with over 400 creative companies and supporting three exits.

His key industry focusses are: SaaS, VFX, Games, Agency and TV Production.

Tim’s prior experience includes running his own production company, the management of Creative England’s equity fund and the programme management of the South West Innovation Network programmes.

When not at work, Tim’s main interests are “what madness my son will say next,” sport and technology.

tim.evans@wearecreative.uk

Matt has been with Creative UK for eight years, during which time he has worked with over 450 creative businesses. Alongside managing various clients on the Creative Growth Finance portfolio, Matt continues to manage the legacy Equity Fund. He is passionate about supporting scaling businesses that make tangible impacts. 

Matt sits on a number of boards, works as a Recoupment Manager and is Portfolio Manager for the Creative England EIS fund. 

His key industry focusses are: VFX, SaaS and Gaming. 

Matt has a CFA Institute Certificate in Investing in ESG and when not in work can often be found on his bike or in his allotment. 

matt.browning@wearecreative.uk

Hannah is part of the Portfolio Management team and supports our client portfolio post-investment. Hannah has been with Creative UK since 2020 and was previously the team’s Investment Analyst and Coordinator. She previously spent 10 years in Events Recruitment.

In her personal life, Hannah is a fully-qualified Reflexologist and an amateur actor with aspirations around baking.

Hannah.Long@wearecreative.uk

Gab is responsible for the origination, execution and management of growth investments under the Creative Growth Finance programme. Prior to Creative England, he spent 10 years in the investment management industry, covering different strategies, products and regions. He enjoys exploring new investment opportunities and build value-added partnerships with founders and managers of exciting businesses.

Gab.Nardo@wearecreative.uk

Nick had accrued over 15 years of experience at Film & TV creative agencies before joining the investment team here at Creative UK. He brings with him a deep and first-hand knowledge of TV and Film production that helps him to support screen investment clients with industry insight as well as his financial acumen.

His key industry focusses are: TV & Film Production and Gaming.

Outside of work, Nick enjoys photography and music.

nick.cavander@wearecreative.uk

Rahul works to support investment clients for Creative Growth Finance and the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Programme. His expertise in supporting early-stage and emerging creative SMEs alongside his consultative and empathetic approach make him a key advocate for investment clients. Rahul’s passion for using long-term finance as a tool for positive change inform all that he does when working with founders and businesses.

After gaining a solid professional foundation through 6 years of experience in the UK investment management industry, Rahul switched the context of his skills to his passion for the creative sector – gaining direct experience in creative organisations such as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, before joining Creative UK.

Outside of work, Rahul’s own passion for creativity is manifest through music and audio-visual production – his music has been featured on platforms such as Rolling Stone Magazine India and Resonance FM London.

Rahul.Misra@wearecreative.uk

Sasha is the newest member of the investment team and brings with her 15 years of experience working within the Film industry, including seven years as MD of her own company.

Sasha has an Executive MBA obtained from Saïd Business School and is passionate about helping founders from within the creative sectors, having formerly been one herself.

Sasha.Collington@wearecreative.uk

Lucie leads on marketing and origination activity for the Investment team. Lucie has been working in Digital Marketing for over seven years, having specialised in the finance sector for the past three years and brings her experience in B2B and consumer-led marketing to her role. As Marketing Manager, Lucie’s main focus is on lead generation; she also creates content to support both the Creative UK team and its investment clients.

Outside of work Lucie can be found in Goal Defence on the netball court.

Lucie.Apampa@wearecreative.uk

Jackie has been with Creative UK since 2015 and during this time has worked across our Investment and Programme teams supporting creative businesses at various stages of growth.   Jackie has helped the development of our investment portfolio which includes over 450 businesses. Jackie is now responsible for managing parts of this portfolio and supporting our investee businesses through their growth journey.

Jackie is our resident Geordie and prior to joining Creative UK, had worked within the games, digital and tech industries across the North East and beyond.  Jackie is passionate about the creative sector and the diversity it represents – she enjoys the variety of ideas, stories, collaborations, products and teams that make up the sector.

Outside of work, Jackie is a fully qualified Canine Hydrotherapist, a keen gardener and loves to travel.

Jackie.Boyd@wearecreative.uk

Hannah joined Creative UK as an Investment Analyst and provides operational support to the investment team. Her role involves appraising new opportunities and managing early-stage leads. Hannah has a strong finance background, having previously worked as an accountant and obtaining an AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting. She is also currently studying towards the ACCA Qualification.

Outside of work, Hannah enjoys keeping active and travelling.

hannah.upton@wearecreative.uk

Tom is an Investment Analyst supporting the wider Investment Team with operational duties that help the team to maximise opportunities and understand the market.

His role includes managing early-stage leads and conducting industry research. Tom previously worked in wealth management and also has experience as an auditor, giving him a keen eye for detail.

Outside of work Tom likes to keep active on the tennis court and loves all things film.

tom.sweetsur@wearecreative.uk