Date: Thursday 7th January 2027
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Location: House of Social, 10 Sir Howard Bernstein Approach, Manchester, M15 4ND
Cost: Free
Funding Unlocked with River Capital
Many North West businesses reach a point where the ambition is there, the numbers stack up — and traditional finance no longer fits. The question isn't whether to grow. It's how to fund it.
Funding Unlocked brings together business owners, founders, and advisors for an honest conversation about growth finance in the North West — what's available, how it works, and what it actually takes to access it.
Joining us on the panel are John Gray and Chris Carter from River Capital Group, the North West fund manager backing ambitious businesses across the region through a range of debt, mezzanine, and equity products. They'll be joined by a River Capital portfolio company — a founder who has been through the process — and an advisor who works with growth businesses day to day.
Whether you're considering your first external funding round, trying to understand where each product fits or working with clients who are at that stage, this is a practical, no-jargon conversation designed to give you a clearer picture of what's possible.
About The Speakers
Claire-Marie Boggiano
STRIDE Facilitator & Leadership Coach
Claire-Marie is a Chartered Engineer holding an MBA from Manchester Business School. Claire-Marie is a guest lecturer in Change Management and Entrepreneurship at Manchester Business School. She is the alumni lead for MBS Women Leading in Business group and regularly hosts the Institute of Directors Women’s Forum in the North West. Claire-Marie is a committee member of the IoD Manchester and has recently commenced working with EEF The Manufacturing Organisation to raise the profile of Women in Engineering. Claire-Marie is an expert in Change Management for many years and delivers the Day 3 workshop of the STRIDE programme – Oakridge’s 6 month leadership programme for female middle management development. Her workshop focuses on the managing business aspect. This is the final element of the programme and supports women attending to learn more about how they can impact their organisation, bring others with them and to become a role model for others. Claire-Marie is a member of the Manchester City Council International Women’s Day Steering Group. To any challenge Claire-Marie brings energy, focus and action. Her core skills include “breaking eggs”, “building gladiators” and “making connections”. Claire-Marie believes organisations and teams succeed by working with the imagination and talents of their people.