Meet the Viking Fund Team

 

	Ian McNeill (Chairman) A mathematics graduate, Ian has worked in the IT industry since 1969 and has held posts at director level since 1980. more>
A mathematics graduate, Ian has worked in the IT industry since 1969 and has held posts at director level since 1980. Starting his career in technical roles, he was appointed to the board of a Plc at the age of 31, and immediately became involved in corporate and financial management as well as technical matters. Starting his career in technical roles, he was appointed to the board of a Plc at the age of 31. In 1986 he founded Kernel Technology Ltd, a company which became a market leader in Open Systems software and training. As Chairman and Chief Executive, he steered the Group through planning, financing and rapid growth, achieving a successful sale of the business in 1991. For the past 13 years Ian has made personal investments in a number of technology companies, and sits on the Board of many of them. In the last few years he has managed the flotation and fund raising for both NASDAQ- and AIM-quoted companies, and has founded a private venture capital fund of which he is a director. He is a director of Commercial Technology Limited, CyNap Limited, WRDCLogsys Limited, Pelican Capital Limited, 3Legs Venture Capital Plc and CONNECT Yorkshire
	Andrew Burton (Managing Director) Andrew is a highly experienced consultant and adviser in early stage, technology-based businesses. more>
Andrew is a highly experienced consultant and adviser in early stage, technology-based businesses. A Mechanical Engineering graduate, he enjoyed several years in technical and international sales, before taking his own electronics business from start up to trade sale in nine years. A Mechanical Engineering graduate, he enjoyed several years in technical and international sales, before taking his own electronics business from start-up to trade sale in nine years. For the past 18 years Andrew has worked with high-growth companies, advising and coaching in all aspects of technology-based business. He managed UniVentures International for almost a decade before heading the management buyout that led to the formation of Inkopo Limited, now one of Yorkshire’s leading technology consultancy practices and private incubator operators. A former secretary of the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels (YABA), Andrew is a director of several technology start-up companies, and a board member of the national incubation body UKBI.
	Kevin Caley (Operations Director) Kevin has worked in the venture capital industry for over 18 years having made some 130 early-stage investments. more>
Kevin has worked in the venture capital industry for over 18 years having made some 130 early-stage investments. A metallurgist by training with an MBA, he played a key role in the creation of the national network of Midland Enterprise Funds including the establishment and management of funds for both the East and West Midlands. Kevin is author of several academic papers, a publication on small business finance and a Phoenix-supported project that has produced a detailed guide in setting up and running a Community Development Venture Capital Fund. He is also a director of the Advantage Early Growth Fund, a similar vehicle to Viking Fund but set up to co-invest in early growth companies in the West Midlands. The Fund will only invest in businesses based within the Yorkshire and Humber region. We are prepared to invest in businesses that also operate outside of the region provided that they are based in the Yorkshire and Humber region. By this we mean that the key business decisions are made in the region, that board meetings are held in the region and that the business is not simply creating a token presence in the region in order to access the funding.
	Stephen Frazer (Finance Director) Stephen Frazer is a Corporate Finance Partner within RSM Bentley Jennison Chartered Accountants. more>
A national practice with offices across the country, RSM Bentley Jennison specialises in both privately owned companies and the public sector, offering a full range of advisory skills. Stephen has advised on management buyouts, acquisitions and company disposals across a range of industries. Having worked in a venture capital institution, as well as raising venture capital for clients, he understands the issues which face growing companies seeking funds to facilitate development. Stephen Frazer is a Corporate Finance Partner within RSM Bentley Jennison Chartered Accountants. RSM Bentley Jennison is a national practice with offices across the country, specialising in both privately owned companies and the public sector, offering a full range of advisory skills across accounting, tax and consultancy. Stephen has advised on management buyouts, acquisitions and company disposals across a range of industries. Having worked in a venture capital institution, as well as having raised venture capital for clients, he understands the issues which face growing companies that are considering raising funds to facilitate development.
	Tracey Smith (Operations Manager) Tracey helps to deal with applications from companies seeking funding and manages the day-to-day smooth running of the Fund more>
Educated at Pontefract Girls Grammar School, she joined the Viking Fund from BSM Ltd where she worked alongside centre managers to co-ordinate the operations of all BSM high street shops. Tracey has more than five years experience of office administration, specialising in health & safety, facilities management and PA responsibilities.