The FSE Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Long, an experienced Investment Manager. He joins the Group’s Midlands team which manages the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) Debt Finance Fund and will be responsible for supporting eligible SMEs.

Andy has worked in both commercial and corporate banking, bringing with him over 30 years of financial knowledge, with a specific focus on relationship and client management. He has previously held senior positions at Lloyds and HSBC and latterly as Head of Acquisitions for a major Accountancy firm. Andy will be working to help SMEs grow their businesses in the Greater Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire areas.

Andy Moss, Head of Fund at The FSE Group, which manages the MEIF Debt Finance Fund commented: “We welcome Andy to The Midlands Team. He is a very experienced finance professional, bringing with him a long history of working within the finance sector. His diverse knowledge will strengthen the team helping them to further support eligible SMEs across the Midlands region.”

MEIF Debt Finance Fund can be used for expansion related activities which will deliver substantial growth impact within the area. Through this fund, eligible SMEs can secure growth loans ranging from £100,000 - £1,500,000 which could be used for sales and marketing activity, hiring of new employees/job creation/new product development/exporting abroad/purchasing new equipment/entering new markets.

Andy Long, Investment Manager at The FSE Group, adds: “I am delighted to join The FSE Group, and I look forward to working with local SMEs who are looking to scale up their businesses. The fund has already supported a great range of companies and this is a really exciting time to be supporting businesses as they look to grow and recover after a turbulent few years.”

The Midlands Engine Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.