Former Chief Executive, finnCap Group Plc

Sam established finnCap in 2007, having orchestrated the management buy-out of a small broking division of JM Finn & Co Limited, a private client stockbroking firm. By 2010, directors and employees had purchased the remaining 50.1% of the equity retained by JM Finn. In 2018, finnCap acquired Cavendish Corporate Finance, a leading UK M&A adviser, enabling finnCap to provide an enviable end to end service offering.  finnCap floated on AIM in 2018 and began trading as finnCap Group Plc.

Sam is the first female chief executive of a City stockbroking firm and has worked on over 200 transactions, IPOs and secondary fund raisings. Under her leadership, finnCap is now a leading advisory firm for the business of tomorrow. The sector specialist service offering ranges from ECM and IPO, to Plc strategic advisory, debt advisory, M&A, and private growth capital as well as net-zero and sustainability consultancy services through investment in Energise. finnCap Group comprises finnCap Capital Markets and finnCap Cavendish as a market-leading strategic M&A firm that has a global reach through its membership of Oaklins.  

Sam actively champions investment for female-led business through the finnCap Ambition Nation: Female leaders series to help create better networks and demystify financial jargon.  Sam is also passionate about empowering young people and helping them develop essential life skills.  She is spearheading a campaign for entrepreneurship to be integrated into the school curriculum and works with organisations such as YourGamePlan, icanyoucantoo and Modern Muse to help create a fairer foundation for young people, irrespective of their background.  Sam is part of the Government Taskforce on Women-Led High Growth Enterprises, supporting the next generation of female entrepreneurs, and is also on the advisory board for Everywoman, which champions the advancement of women in business, and the University of Bristol.

Sam qualified as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG.

Why do you support the work of The Entrepreneurs Network?

The Entrepreneurs Network plays a key role in driving conversations around entrepreneurship, connecting businesses, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.  It’s incredibly important for issues around entrepreneurship to be championed given how much growth, employment and ideas comes from this area. The high-quality research produced by The Entrepreneurs Network helps set the agenda for these conversations and makes a difference. 

What research should more people read (either our research or other organisations)?

I strongly believe that enterprise education could be transformative for Britain’s young people and in boosting economic prosperity.  For this reason, I would encourage everyone to read The Entrepreneurs Network’s report on Enterprise Education, which clearly sets out the case for integrating entrepreneurship into the school curriculum.  

Why is the UK an attractive place to grow a business?

The UK is widely considered as one of best places in the world to start a business but ranks less highly when it comes to scaling a business.  Progress has been made over the past few years, but our efforts must be redoubled if we’re to fulfil the Government’s growth agenda and unlock future prosperity. There is an amazing funding ecosystem and a focus on sectors, which are highly important in sustaining business advantage.