The FSE Group has appointed Laurie Felker Jones as an Investment Manager in its South West team, strengthening its regional investment capability and support for ambitious, purpose‑led businesses.

Laurie brings significant experience across venture investment, startup advisory, fundraising and portfolio support, with a strong track record working alongside early‑stage and growth businesses. In her new role at FSE, she will work closely with SMEs in the South West, supporting investment activity and helping businesses scale sustainably.

A key focus will be delivery of the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund, for which FSE is an appointed fund manager. The £200m fund is aimed at new and growing businesses across the region.

Laurie has spent the past decade working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, investment and impact. Most recently, she has worked as a senior advisor and visiting partner across a range of venture programmes and organisations, including Antler, Techstars and Village Capital. Her work has focused on investment readiness, business modelling, fundraising strategy and supporting under‑represented founders.

She has extensive experience working with early‑stage companies, having supported hundreds of startups globally through accelerator programmes and advisory roles. This includes helping founders refine commercial strategies, prepare for investment, and navigate different forms of finance beyond traditional venture capital.

Laurie holds an MSc in Entrepreneurship and Social Business from the London School of Economics and has completed the Impact Finance Innovations Programme at Oxford Saïd Business School.

Commenting on her appointment, Laurie said: “I’m excited to be joining The FSE Group’s South West team and to be working with ambitious businesses across the region. The South West Investment Fund has already backed an impressive range of companies and FSE has a strong track record of backing SMEs and taking a practical, long‑term approach to growth. I’m looking forward to supporting founders as they build resilient and investable businesses.”

Ralph Singleton, Head of Equity South West at FSE Group, added: “Laurie brings a depth of experience in venture support, fundraising and impact‑led investment that will be a real asset to our South West team. Her background working closely with founders will strengthen the support we provide to businesses across the region.”

The FSE Group is appointed fund manager for £84million of the £200million British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund, which aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans from £25k to £100k, debt finance from £100k to £2m and equity investment up to £5 million. The fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early‑stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.