Finance Wales Inquiry

The Finance Wales Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Welsh Government and is one of the UK’s largest SME investment companies. The Group has funds approaching £400 million under management and comprises the fund managers Finance Wales and FW Capital. Xénos, the Wales business angel network, is also part of the Group.

Finance Wales can make debt, mezzanine and equity investments of up to £2 million at all stages (early stage, development capital, as well as succession and acquisition). FW Capital manages funds in the Tees Valley, and the North East and North West of England with a total value of £75 million.

The Finance Committee has agreed to conduct a short inquiry to consider the current operation and future role of Finance Wales and would welcome evidence on this topic.

The inquiry’s Terms of Reference

To consider:

• the outcomes that Finance Wales is achieving and whether this constitutes value for money;
• whether the current corporate structure of Finance Wales is fit for purpose and to objectively consider the impact of pursuing any potential alternative models of operation;
• how the activities of Finance Wales contribute to the Welsh Government’s overall approach to economic development in Wales.