NorthEdge strengthens business with new partner at Leeds office

Mr Rastrick will be joining NorthEdge from September 1, and will lead the firm’s investment efforts in Yorkshire and the North East.

A qualified lawyer, Mr Rastrick was previously investment director at 3i, before moving to Phoenix Equity Partners, where he was partner for eight years.

In this time, he was instrumental in establishing the firm’s Northern presence, opening offices in Yorkshire and the North West.

Mr Rastrick said: “NorthEdge has developed a reputation as one of the largest and strongest private equity firms in the North of England.

“It’s an honour to be joining such a high calibre team and I’m very much looking forward to boosting the firm’s presence in Yorkshire and the North East.

“With the quality and strength of the Northern marketplace and NorthEdge’s track record and dedicated senior resource locally, I’m confident that we’ll be completing a number of successful investments over the next few years.”

Grant Berry, managing partner at NorthEdge Capital, added: “We are delighted to be welcoming John to the NorthEdge team at such an exciting time for the firm.

“A fantastic deal originator and vastly experienced investor, John will be a perfect addition to our already established team in Yorkshire and the North East. Our own growth plans are ambitious and we will continue to work with more and more high growth businesses in assisting them achieve their ambitions.”

NorthEdge has made 11 investments from its maiden fund, representing more than £140m of investment into the Northern business community during the last two and a half years.

NorthEdge, which operates from Manchester and Leeds, closed its maiden fund at £225m in March 2013.

The firm focuses exclusively on Northern-based companies seeking equity investments.