Pension investment to power Sheffield SME growth
Published: July 19, 2025
FW Capital has opened a new office at the Electric Works in Sheffield to deliver funding to SMEs across South Yorkshire through the £20m South Yorkshire Debt Fund.
The fund, launched by the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority and managed by FW Capital, offers loans of up to £2m to support business growth in Barnsley, Sheffield, Doncaster, and Rotherham.
The Sheffield office marks the latest step in FW Capital’s regional expansion and will serve as a local base for engaging directly with businesses in the area. Joe Parikh has joined the team as Assistant Investment Executive and will be the first member of staff based at the new location.
Parikh brings a strong financial background, having previously worked in banking audit at KPMG Manchester, where he conducted statutory audits for large and listed financial institutions. He also holds a First-Class BSc (Hons) in Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool.
“I’m looking forward to working with local businesses, enabling them to secure the financial resources necessary for growth and job creation,” said Parikh.
“The client-facing aspect of the role is something I am passionate about – bringing added value to businesses and seeing the direct impact of how the right funding can change the direction of a business.”
Joanne Whitfield, Fund Director at FW Capital, highlighted the importance of a local presence: “South Yorkshire has a rich history of innovation and change. By bringing investment opportunities to the region, we can drive further economic success and prosperity.
“Having a base in Sheffield is key to the successful delivery of the South Yorkshire Debt Fund, and we are building a team of locally based people who will be on the ground working with business owners across the region. We’re pleased to welcome Joe to the team – his appointment strengthens our presence in South Yorkshire.”
Councillor Donna Sutton, Chair of the South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, added: “The opening of FW Capital’s Sheffield office marks an important step forward in delivering the South Yorkshire Debt Fund.
