Northern Gritstone strengthens investment team

Manchester-based investment company Northern Gritstone has strengthened its leadership team with the promotion of Simon Braham to chief investment officer.

Simon joined the business in September 2025 as head of portfolio and will now oversee all of Northern Gritstone's investment activities. 

An experienced venture capital and private equity investor, he previously led the Sustainable Growth Funds in the North at Bridges.

Simon said: “I’m delighted to be appointed as Northern Gritstone’s new chief investment officer.  

“In my previous role as head of portfolio I have seen first-hand the power of Northern Gritstone’s investment model not just to create the world leading businesses of tomorrow but the fundamental impact that this success can have on the local, regional and national economies in which we operate.”

The company has also expanded its investment team with the appointment of James Bellis as portfolio director and Narjeet Singh as investment manager. 

James joins from global advisory firm Teneo, while Narjeet has moved from Lincoln International’s technology M&A team.

Since launching in 2022, Northern Gritstone has reviewed more than 1500 investment opportunities and backed 52 life sciences and technology businesses across the North of England. 

The latest appointments reflect the company’s continued investment in its leadership and investment capabilities as it grows its portfolio of university spinouts and high-growth businesses.

Duncan Johnson, chief executive of Northern Gritstone, added: “Simon has made a positive impact on Northern Gritstone in the past year. 

“His appointment supports our profit with purpose investment philosophy and our firm belief that the UK’s first trillion-dollar company will be based on the science and technology that comes from academic research in our leading universities based in the UK Technology Diamond.”

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