New partner at YFM

Private equity firm YFM Equity Partners (YFM), which has offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London, has promoted Mike Clarke to the partnership.

Mike has 12 years’ experience in corporate finance and joined the Leeds office as an Investment Director in January 2019. Over the last 18 months, he has been involved in a number of high-profile deals, including the £4.5m Series A investment into Leeds-based data visualisation, reporting and analytics software developer Panintelligence.

As well as representing YFM on the board of Panintelligence, Mike is responsible for sourcing and transacting the firm’s new investment opportunities across Yorkshire and North East, and has a particular focus on technology investments where the firm has a fast-growing portfolio.

Ian Waterfield, YFM partner and Head of New Investments in the North, said:

“Since joining YFM, Mike has made a valuable contribution to the firm and this is well deserved recognition of his hard work and talent. With his strong track record in corporate finance, both in M&A and as an investor, he has the skillset to identify dynamic businesses which need the right funding and strategic insight to realise their potential.”

Mike adds:

“It’s great to be part of such an experienced team which shares a passion for supporting management teams. Despite the immense challenges that we are all adapting to both at work and home, there are businesses who are innovating through the use of technology to demonstrate their resilience and take new opportunities to pivot their business models. It’s exciting to be part of a firm that takes a long-term strategic view and remains very much open for business.”