TRI Capital appoints new chairman

Scottish Borders-based angel investment group TRI Capital has appointed Jamie Andrew following the retirement of long-standing Chairman Rob Dick.

Mr Andrew, a current TRI Cap Director, who has been an active member since 2005, takes up his new position as chairman with immediate effect having been recommended to the Board at the end of January by an Appointments Panel which interviewed a number of candidates for the role.

An active business director and investor, Mr Andrew holds a number of non-executive director and chairman positions within a variety of technology-based companies.

The TRI appointments panel was made up of current directors Walter Riddell-Carre, Julian Livingston and Paul Yuskaitis as well as long-standing members Guy Lee and Martin Richards.

Mr Riddell-Carre said: “We are confident that Jamie has the experience and skills to steer TRI Cap through the next stage of its development. Since TRI Cap’s establishment in 2004 we have seen the angel investment landscape evolve. Investments are typically over a longer period but supporting them to a successful exit is still the principal aim. Jamie’s experience in maximising shareholder value and moving companies towards exit will be invaluable.”

Mr Andrew has lived in the Borders for over twenty years having trained as a chemical engineer with a career in the mining, oil and gas refining and manufacturing sectors.

He started his own company in 2001 to pursue his product development interests, namely in small marine craft propulsion systems, the pumping of fluids and energy generation from sustainable resources.

One of his prototype propellers was bought by the British Science Museum as an example of innovation in maritime technology.

Mr Andrew said: “I am delighted to be taking on this important role. TRI Cap has the capacity to support and help to develop early stage businesses throughout Scotland but principally in the Scottish Borders, Lothians and North East of England where levels of innovation and skill are also high. Through our strategic investment approach and wide ranging experience within the membership we are able to provide the support required to accelerate the growth of these businesses and to assist them to go to scale and become significant forces in their own markets.”