Our Team
The team at Regionally Ventures are seasoned leaders with exceptional collective experience. Based in various regions across the UK, the team is poised to support clients locally while providing access to national resources, expertise and capital.
Regionally Ventures / About us / Our Team
Justin Urquhart Stewart
Chairman
With an early career of finance in Asia, Justin went on to establish Broker Services, which became Barclays Stockbrokers. Today he is one of the most recognisable and trusted market commentators on television, radio and in the press. He co-founded 7IM to deliver radical common sense in an industry where that quality is hard to find. He is an enthusiast for greater financial education and investment structures for both investors and companies needing easier access for funding. As a result he has helped in the establishment of Proshare, and also the development of the AIM market.
Jim Odell
Chief Executive Officer
Jim is a leader with extensive experience in the UK, India and the USA. Jim is an entrepreneur, management consultant, coach, mentor and market maker. He has built his own businesses and enjoyed leadership within multinational corporations including Cambridge Technology Partners, BT, Tata Consultancy Services and Accenture. He has a strong network and background in technology, outsourcing, advisory services and investment finance. He has enjoyed success but also learnt from business failure. 'If you want to know what lies ahead, then speak to someone coming back'.
Michael McDowell
Director
Michael has 20 years experience working with businesses. He is a co-founder of Raise Ventures, Northern Ireland's only private Tech Accelerator and is Ireland Country Manager for SeedLegals.
Martin Taylor
Investment Director
In a career spanning nearly 40 years, Martin has a private client tax background with Lloyds Private Banking and PwC. He has specialised in tax efficient investments in SME’s and has significant knowledge in the areas of renewable energy, property, and litigation finance. Martin maintains strong relationships with accountants, IFA’s, Wealth Managers, Institutional Funds and Family Offices.
Tony Backhouse
Director of Advisory Services
Tony Backhouse has over 30 years of consulting experience. At Regionally Ventures he leads “The Regionally Way” advisory service as a highly experienced consultant working with startups, scale up and established businesses. Tony drives the investment readiness process and ongoing support of our clients with his colleagues around the UK. Tony is focused on increasing returns to founders, reducing risk and providing clarity to investors.
Paul Newsham
Finance Director
Paul is a partner at RfM Preston, which is a progressive and proactive Chartered Accountancy practice based in Lancashire. He has over 25 years' experience in helping and advising owner-managed businesses to achieve their potential, whether that be to maximise value on disposal or to run their companies more efficiently and profitably. RfM provides a full suite of accountancy, audit and tax planning and advisory services for a wide range of clients in many different sectors. Paul possesses strong leadership and commercial skills, which are an invaluable asset to Regionally Ventures.
