N4 Partners has appointed Gordon Merrylees, the former managing director of entrepreneurship for NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, as the firm prepares to launch a new fund targeting early-stage UK businesses.
During his 36 years at RBS, he supported countless entrepreneurs, start-ups and high-growth SMEs, launching the bank’s first in-house Entrepreneur Accelerator programme and the subsequent creation of 12 accelerator hubs.
New director Merrylees commented: “Throughout my career I’ve always been incredibly passionate about supporting the growth of talented entrepreneurs and startup businesses across the UK.
“From establishing a leading startup and scaleup accelerator programme at RBS, to my current role with Know-it as chief commercial officer, I have now experienced first-hand the level of support required for startups and entrepreneurs to be successful and achieve their growth ambitions.
“Having known the team at N4 for some time and sharing the same desire and urgency to help early-stage businesses grow and thrive, I’m thrilled to join the firm and look forward to helping the team identify and execute exciting investment opportunities within the talented UK start-up community.”
N4 has continued to expand both its investment team and advisory offering with the recruitment of key senior hires, including last year’s appointment of the former Tesco Bank chief executive Benny Higgins, as chair.
Higgins added: “I had the pleasure of working with Gordon for a number of years at RBS and his passion for supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups throughout the UK is unparalleled.
“We’re delighted to welcome Gordon on board as we look to launch a venture fund exclusively targeting the UK start-up community.”
Established in 2020, N4 Partners is a Glasgow-based investment and advisory firm which partners with entrepreneurs and businesses operating across a range of sectors throughout the UK.
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