Kieran Lawton to head new business for palatine

We have appointed Kieran Lawton as Head of New Business. Kieran, who has spent more than a decade with us having previously worked in corporate finance advisory for over 10 years, succeeds partner Andy Lees, who is retiring after 13 years with Palatine .

Kieran’s role spans our Buyout and Impact Funds across our offices in Manchester, Birmingham and London.  We are investing from our fifth buyout fund.  The £254 million fund, our biggest, invests between £10m and £50m into growing companies in the business services, tech services and financial services sectors.

Our pioneering Impact team is currently investing from its second Fund. The team invests between £5m and £30m into companies committed to tackling some of the biggest challenges in society – skills and educational inequalities, the environment & climate change and healthy living.

Commenting on his new role, Kieran said: “I am passionate about what Palatine does and how we do it, with a strong commitment to investing the right way and working in partnership with management teams to help them take their business to the next level.

“I believe the fact that we are a regional player is an important differentiator too.  We have a track record of backing great companies in the South, in Yorkshire, the North East, Midlands and of course in our North West heartlands, and we have an appetite to do more.

“I really enjoy getting out and about and meeting management teams – I am looking forward to doing more as I spread the word about what I believe is our market-leading approach to investment as a force for good.”

Commenting on his decision to step down, Andy Lees said: “I look back on the last 13 years with great pride at what the business has become.  Palatine is in great shape with a strong track record, an outstanding reputation and an active player with three fund strategies.

“The firm’s prospects are incredibly strong with Kieran leading the charge on new business. The team has also been strengthened with new hires, and the promotions of Tom Wildig and James Painter to Partner this year is a clear sign that the next generation is picking up the baton.

“I am staying close to Palatine, retaining a couple of non-exec roles, while looking forward to the next phase of my career.”