SME investor and adviser Seneca Partners has appointed experienced investor and lender Andy Povey as a director.

Mr Povey, who will work alongside Seneca’s regional principal Nick Leitch and also David Totney, has worked in the city for almost 25 years.

He had a long corporate banking career before moving into the alternative funding market where he gained experience in SME equity investments. Mr Povey is widely recognised in the manufacturing sector both locally and nationally for his role in launching and delivering the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI), a national programme funded by the Government.

He is also a founding member of Finance Birmingham, the Birmingham City Council owned business which was established to provide access to funding for SMEs across the West Midlands region.

Mr Povey will be working across the range of Seneca delivered investment funds targeting support for growing SME businesses.

He said: “I am delighted to have joined such an entrepreneurial business as Seneca and I am looking forward to working with Nick and David to invest in SMEs across the region.”

Mr Leitch added: “Seneca is well established in the Midlands and Andy’s appointment enables us to develop the business to the next level.

“He brings a wealth of experience across a broad range of sectors, especially in the automotive industry.”