Team

Katie joined Gateway Angels following four years as Founding Director of Petra Consulting during which time she worked with both start-up and established businesses in the private and public sectors.

Prior to launching Petra Consulting, Katie gained 10 years in a variety of marketing and operational roles at PDMS, Paddy Power and latterly KPMG, where she launched and managed the Bridge Angel Network in the Isle of Man.

Katie has an MBA from Liverpool John Moore’s University. She is a Director of Startup Grind and currently serves on the UKBAA Angel Group Advisory Board and the Liverpool City Region Board of The Whole Point.

Gaby joined Gateway Angels following her role as an SEO Executive at Wavemaker, part of WPP Media, where she developed search-led marketing strategies for a variety of clients.

Through roles across different sectors, as well as founding her own business creating handmade accessories, Gaby brings a broad mix of marketing, operational and relationship-driven experience to Gateway Angels.

Louise Towers, FCA, brings a wealth of financial leadership experience in high-growth companies and non-profit organisations. She currently serves as the Global CFO of Bikmo Insurance, a specialist bike insurance broker, where she has helped drive the company’s European expansion.

Louise has held CFO and director roles at various organisations, including Broadway Partners, the Energy Innovation Centre, Marketing Cheshire, and high- tech companies like Spiral Software and Netcall plc. Her expertise in finance, strategy, and operations are invaluable to Gateway Angels.

Mark Rathbone is a founding member of the group that created this angel network. He is a solicitor and lead partner in the corporate department at Brabners LLP, a commercial law firm in the North of England.
With nearly 30 years of experience in corporate and commercial transactions, Mark’s expertise includes:

• Transactional Work: Mergers and acquisitions, MBOs, MBIs, VIMBOs, and VIMBIs, representing buyers, sellers, funders, and management.
• Structures: Setting up complex corporate and contractual structures, including unregulated collective investment schemes, partnerships, and joint ventures.
• Sectors: Specializing in supply chain (especially ports), technology (early and growth stages), agnd waste/renewables sectors.
  Mark is also a non-executive director of Baltic Ventures Limited, a Liverpool-based tech accelerator, and a trustee of the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust. His work and interest are deeply embedded in the Liverpool City Region’s business ecosystem, fostering growth and development, particularly through his firm’s involvement in True North.

Simon French is an independent consultant, advisor, and investor based in Merseyside.

With over 20 years of experience in capital markets, Simon has worked in investor relations, equity research, and investment banking with firms such as Whitbread, Numis, Panmure Gordon, and Cenkos. He has invested in several private companies and co-founded a boutique advisory firm.

Simon brings significant experience in board director and remuneration committee roles.