Portfolio
Ventures in which shareholder
or stakeholder positions are held
Novo works closely with each venture in our portfolio, whether we are an equity holder in the business or not. Our hands-on support combines the practical know-how of running organisations and developing teams from the ground up alongside an extensive track record in corporate and venture finance.
Our mission is to provide an end-to-end support framework for each venture we work with. We achieve this through becoming a growth partner to the organisation, working alongside management to drive growth and build long-term value for all shareholders.
Novo Training aims to provide young people with an opportunity to gain the requisite skills to help them achieve their career aspirations or progress into further learning.
The team are passionate and proud about their track record in supporting 16-24 year olds, many from disadvantaged or troubled backgrounds, in breaking through ‘glass ceilings’ by helping learners to realise what they are capable of, and how to build their futures.
Often the positive outcomes of our programmes go beyond the career or educational ambitions of our learners, they can also help to build solid foundations in their personal as well as professional lives.
Established in 2011, 3Spirit was developed from grass roots front line practice to support Care organisations and Care professionals in tackling the key staffing based challenges faced by the sector.
The team is made up of dedicated and passionate group of professionals from a range of backgrounds including occupational therapy, social work and nursing who are each committed to raising quality and safety standards within the wider Care sector. The expertise and experience of the ‘3Spirit family’ is further enhanced by our network of specialist trainers across the UK which enable us to provide a wider depth of targeted programmes, delivered regionally/on site where required.
Pavilion Training, founded in 2016 in the North West, is a training provider focused on supporting young people in developing their employability skills and securing full-time employment and apprenticeships. Pavilion in Matrix accredited and has a stellar track record in delivering cross-sector traineeship programmes.
Novo acquired Pavilion (100% shareholding) in 2022 to support our growth and build our reach within the employability skills sector.
Founded in 2016 by Novo directors Taj Heer and Talon Golding, Bright Minds Daycare was a leading independent nursery group in the Midlands, focused on the development, learning and individuality of aspiring young minds through their formative early years.
Novo Ventures supported the business in becoming one of the most highly rated (through parent reviews on daynurseries.co.uk) nursery groups in the region.
The group of 4 large nurseries was successfully sold to N Family Club in 2021.
Iek has 25 years’ experience in the investment banking industry, working in London, Singapore, New York and Los Angeles, and is the Director of Strand Ventures, a division of Strand Hanson – one of London’s most well established advisory boutiques. Iek has a extensive range of sector and transaction experience having previously worked for Silverwind Securities, Libertas Capital and various equity capital market roles including at HSBC and Merrill Lynch. His expertise spans all entry points of equity (private and public), debt and hybrid capital structures coupled with detailed insights in organisational growth and development.
Taj is a commercially focused, practical MBA; having a 25 year track record of growth, turnaround, and financing whilst operating as an executive in VC/PE environments, coupled with advisor and funding lead for multiple EIS ventures across energy, renewables, biotech and technology platforms. Taj has also led and been directly involved in trade sales and IPOs for PE owned businesses. Alongside Talon, Taj founded, co-managed and exited an award-winning multi-million pound nursery group in the West Midlands, Bright Minds Daycare, which was backed by Guinness Asset Management (EIS Fund).
Joe brings over a decade of experience in strategic leadership within the FE sector. In 2019, Joe won a silver award as National Business Person of the Year at the SME Business Awards at Wembley Stadium and won Business Person of the Year at the Blackmore Vale Awards on the south coast. He sits as a secondary school governor with a focus on careers, on the board of WESPA (World Elite Sports Performance Academy), delivering world-class performance training to young athletes, along with various NED roles within the FE sector.
Georgia is a skilled Marketing Manager with over five years’ experience in various B2B and B2C sectors including early years, technology, accountancy, legal and retail. She holds a 2:1 in BA Advertising and Digital Marketing; her expertise consists of strategic marketing plans, social media management, Google Ads and paid social campaigns, content creation and website optimisation. Georgia implements innovative marketing and branding strategies that increase sales, drive brand awareness, and solidify customer relationships across both the Group and our venture clients.
Novo Ventures Limited. Company No: 09924740. Registered address: 16-17 Newhall Hill, Birmingham, B1 3JH
