Published : 7 years ago, on 07/12/2017

The British Business Bank is pleased to announce the appointments of Piers Linney and Amanda Rendle as non-executive directors (NEDs) to the Board of the British Business Bank, effective from today.

Piers Linney is Chairman and an investor in Soulmatefood and sits on the Boards of Nesta and the Aleto (formerly Powerlist) Foundation. He was an investor on Dragons’ Den and was recognised as Black Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014/15. He has extensive experience in founding, growing and selling SMEs and raising capital for venture, credit and hedge funds. Piers also has a professional background as a private equity lawyer and in investment banking with Credit Suisse.

Mr.Linney said: “I’m very excited to be joining the British Business Bank, an organisation that brings a huge amount of value and expertise to smaller business finance markets. I look forward to adding my experience to an already highly accomplished Board and playing my role in supporting SMEs for which access to external finance is key to growth.”

Amanda Rendle is currently Director of Jaren Consulting. She has extensive Board experience, including serving as a NED on the Government Communications Services Ministerial Board, The Royal Mint, Tesco Bank and Keep Britain Tidy.

MsRendle has over 30 years of marketing experience, including 16 years at HSBC in its global commercial banking arm, where she was Global Head of Marketing. She is a member of WACL (Women in Advertising and Communications London) and a fellow of the Marketing Society.

MsRendle said: “The British Business Bank is entering an exciting new phase of its development, including an extension of its information offering to smaller UK businesses and an enhancement of its marketing support for its growing product portfolio. I am delighted to be able to offer my experience and expertise in these and other areas as a NED on its Board.”

Lord Smith, Chair of the British Business Bank said: “We are delighted to welcome Piers and Amanda to the board of the British Business Bank. Piers’ entrepreneurial and small business finance expertise, together with Amanda’s impressive marketing credentials, bring valuable experience to our Board.

“These appointments will be very important as the bank grows and we extend our operations, especially in the areas of patient capital and in the provision of information for scale-up companies.”