The British Business Bank, the government’s economic development funder, has appointed former professional rugby player Edward Tellwright as a senior manager covering the South West.
Edward, pictured, brings many years’ experience of working with smaller businesses in the region to access finance outside of his playing career with Sale Sharks, Rotherham and Jersey. 
He started his career with the South West Angel Investors Network, supporting businesses to raise more than £70m, before working for nine years with Bristol Chamber of Commerce group Business West, where he advised early-stage businesses and led its access-to-finance team.
More recently he spent nearly four years in a similar role with the government’s Innovate UK EDGE, where he advised innovation-driven businesses.
In his new role at the British Business Bank he will work closely with finance delivery partners, business development agencies and other organisations to improve access to financial support.
He will have a particular focus on Bristol, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, also working closely with the bank’s Cornwall and Isles of Scilly representative Lloyd Brina.
Established in 2014, the British Business Bank’s mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses.
Its remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance programmes for the government, with core programmes supporting more than £12.2bn of finance to 96,000-plus smaller businesses. 
Edward’s appointment comes ahead of the launch of a new £200m South West Investment Fund by the bank this year to support the growth of smaller businesses across the region.
He said: “As many smaller businesses across our region face tough economic headwinds, access to finance is fundamental for supporting them now and to help reach their long term potential
“I’m looking forward to using my experience to support businesses in the South West access the finance they need to succeed whatever the stage of their development and current needs”
British Business Bank UKN director, South West, Steve Conibear added: “We are really pleased to bring Edward with his tremendous experience on board.
“His record in supporting smaller businesses unlock the finance best suited to them will be key to helping create a more diverse finance market for smaller businesses and reduce regional imbalances.”
