ONE of Hampshire's most recognisable businesswomen is pictured here in the driving seat of a new £10m "Accelerator Fund".
Rosemary Penn-Newman heads the corporate finance team at Fanshawe Lofts, which has been appointed as a fund sponsor.
The fund, which has the financial backing of British taxpayers, will provide money for start-up and fast-track businesses.
The Southampton-based firm, employing 17 people, specialises in pinpointing funding for small to medium enterprises in the £1m to £50m sector.
Fanshawe Lofts will act as the gateway into the fund, which operates through Finance South East, a subsidiary of regional development agency SEEDA.
Sponsors will be responsible for reviewing applications for funding and working with a selection of the businesses looking to develop their business plans.
The fund has been created with a £5m investment from the Department of Trade and Industry's Small Business Service (SBS) and £5m from Halifax Bank of Scotland.
Rosemary said: "The Accelerator Fund is a great concept providing much needed opportunities for local business."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article