Northern Gritstone appoints Kate Spencer as Head of Communications and Marketing
Northern Gritstone, the investment business focused on university spin-outs and science and technology enabled businesses in the North of England, today announces it has appointed Kate Spencer as Head of Communications & Marketing.
Kate will be responsible for raising awareness of Northern Gritstone’s investment activities and the team behind these as they continue to build the group’s portfolio of investment companies. She will be based in the company’s Leeds office, from where a growing number of investments are being completed. Most recently Northern Gritstone announced investments in Leeds-based companies Mimetrik, AssetCool, Optalysys and LC Auxetec.
Kate brings marketing and communications experience in financial services, having worked for BNP Paribas’ Corporate and Institutional Bank where she led marketing for sustainable finance, and JP Morgan in London where she focused on marketing to pension funds and their consultants. Kate has also worked for the Silicon-Valley headquartered climate tech start-up Turntide Technologies, leading their UK communications activities.
Launched in July 2021 by the Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield and chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, Northern Gritstone is dedicated to investing in university spinouts and start-ups in the North of England, delivering its philosophy of ‘profit with purpose.’
The company announced its final close of £312m in October 2023 and has already invested in 15 early-stage science and technology-enabled businesses in the North of England.
Northern Gritstone CEO, Duncan Johnson, said: “Kate’s communications and marketing experience in sustainable finance and technology is a welcome addition to Northern Gritstone’s team and will enable us to spread our message of ‘profit with purpose’ and the amazing talent and investment opportunities available in the North of England. On behalf of everyone at Northern Gritstone, I’m delighted to welcome her to our team..”