Gloucester investment group appoints Head of AIM

Blackfinch Group has appointed Chris Swanepoel as Head of Alternative Investment Market (AIM) Investments. This newly created position strengthens Blackfinch’s commitment to investing in smaller companies and supporting the full lifecycle of businesses in the UK.

Chris brings more than 25 years of investment experience, and is a CFA Charterholder and member of the CFA Society of the UK. Chris’s leadership will help drive Blackfinch’s championing of smaller companies, which play a vital role in the UK economy by supporting community growth, business innovation and market vitality.

Chris began his career at JPMorgan Asset Management, where he joined the Structured Derivatives team and ultimately managed the JPMorgan UK Smaller Companies Fund. In the mid-2000s, he moved to Barclays to launch and run the AIM IHT Service. After a stint in corporate finance for CIT, Chris joined Tatton Asset Management, where he built, launched, and ran their AIM Service.

Adding some unique perspectives to his professional journey, Chris was conscripted for two years into the South African parachute battalion. Before starting his career in the City, Chris spent several summer seasons working for a racing team at Silverstone, gaining insights and experiences from the high paced world of Formula 1.

He said: “I am excited to join Blackfinch Group at this pivotal time. The company’s dedication to supporting smaller companies is truly inspiring, and I look forward to contributing to their continued success and growth.”

Although Blackfinch’s focus is on UK-based smaller businesses, these companies often trade globally, reflecting their significant growth potential and international ambitions.