YFM Announces Four Promotions

YFM Equity Partners is pleased to announce the promotion of four colleagues across its investment and operations teams, recognising their contribution to the business, portfolio companies and wider team.

The promotions see Helen Porter become Partner, Oli Wheatley promoted to Investment Director, James Curtis to Senior Investment Manager and Adam promoted to Origination Manager.

Commenting on the promotions, Jamie Roberts, Managing Partner at YFM, said:

“Watching people grow, develop and thrive is one of the best parts of working at YFM. We put a huge amount of emphasis on supporting our people and helping them build long-term careers, and these promotions reflect the talent, hard work and contribution of four individuals who have each played an important role in our success. I am delighted to congratulate Helen, Oli, James and Adam on their well-deserved promotions.”

At YFM, we’re committed to backing ambitious businesses and management teams. Equally important is investing in our own people and creating an environment where talented individuals can build rewarding, long-term careers.

This year’s promotions reflect a range of different journeys into the business. Some colleagues joined with extensive experience in investment, corporate finance and M&A, while others have developed their careers within YFM. Together, they represent the depth of talent across the firm and the importance we place on supporting people as they grow.

Helen joined YFM in 2019 as an Investment Manager and has progressed through a number of increasingly senior roles, becoming a Director in 2022 before joining the partnership in 2026.

Over the last six years, Helen has led and supported investments, worked closely with portfolio company management teams and held board positions. More recently, she has also played a significant role in strengthening YFM’s operational foundations, helping shape the business as it continues to grow.

Her promotion to Partner reflects not only the investments she has backed, but also the relationships she has built and the lasting contribution she continues to make across YFM.

Oli joined YFM’s Manchester office in June 2024, bringing experience from investing, corporate M&A and corporate finance.

Since joining YFM, Oli has quickly become an integral part of the Manchester investment team, leading YFM’s investment into StudentCrowd, supporting investments including TNP and Fuuse, and working closely with portfolio company Matillion.

His promotion to Investment Director recognises both the impact he has made across the investment team and the contribution he continues to make to the ambitious businesses YFM backs.

Before joining YFM in September 2023, James spent seven years in corporate finance, building one of the most varied career backgrounds in the team.

Since then, he has worked across investments including S4 Labour, Ohalo, inploi and TiPJAR, supporting ambitious management teams as they scale.

Whether supporting a transaction or organising what many would argue remains the most memorable activity from a YFM summer trip, James approaches everything with the same enthusiasm and commitment.

Alongside building his career, James and his wife Claire have also welcomed two sons, Henry and Hugo, making the last two years a particularly memorable chapter both professionally and personally.

His promotion to Senior Investment Manager recognises the contribution he has made since joining YFM, and we’re delighted to see him take this next step.

Adam joined YFM in 2024 as the firm’s first graduate hire, joining straight from university.

Since then, he has built a reputation for going beyond what’s expected, embracing new technology, improving processes and getting stuck in wherever support is needed.

His willingness to learn, take on new challenges and contribute across the business has made a significant impact in a relatively short period of time.

Whether identifying new investment opportunities or encouraging colleagues onto running routes and up mountains, Adam has become an important part of both the origination team and the wider YFM culture.

Every career journey is different. These four promotions reflect the different paths people take at YFM, whether joining as a graduate, bringing years of industry experience or growing into new opportunities within the business.

Congratulations to Helen, Oli, James and Adam on their well-deserved promotions. We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next.