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 member of the UKBAA Angel Group Advisory Board and the Liverpool City Region Female Founder Regional High-Growth Board.

Neil enjoyed a 40-year career with the Bank of England, holding roles in its London Head Office and regional offices in Liverpool and Cardiff. His experience spans banking and market operations, the Bank’s international division, and the regional Agency network.

Since his retirement, Neil has held several non-executive and trustee roles, including Chair of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Chair of Disability Sport Wales. He also serves as a Director of Cartrefi Conway and Creating Enterprise. His involvement in higher education includes roles as a governor at the University of Liverpool and Wrexham University, as well as an advisor to the University of Liverpool Management School, Liverpool Hope Business School, and Bangor Business School.

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.

Mark Borzomato is the CEO at River Capital and a founding member of the angel network, bringing over 25 years of experience in corporate transactions.

Over the last 15 years, Mark has focused on mid-market equity investment, supporting early-stage and SME businesses across a broad range of sectors.

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), and 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.