The British Business Bank has named Leandros Kalisperas as its new Chief Investment Officer, marking a significant step in its investment strategy.

• Kalisperas brings 20 years of experience in financial services from both public and private sectors, previously serving as CIO at West Yorkshire Pension Fund.
• His new role includes overseeing the bank’s comprehensive investment activities, including its subsidiaries and recent initiatives like the British Growth Partnership.
• CEO Louis Taylor praises Kalisperas’s strong track record, highlighting the bank’s strategic hiring to boost UK economic growth.
• Ian Connatty also steps into a new role as managing partner of the British Growth Partnership, reflecting further strategic expansions.

In a significant strategic move, the British Business Bank has announced the appointment of Leandros Kalisperas as the Chief Investment Officer. He is set to assume responsibility for all investment activities at the bank starting January 2025. His previous tenure as Chief Investment Officer at the West Yorkshire Pension Fund, along with his roles at various prestigious financial institutions, adds a robust 20 years of experience to his new position.

Kalisperas’s appointment is poised to steer the bank’s investment strategies, enhancing the operations of its subsidiaries—British Business Investments and British Patient Capital. His duties extend to managing the Nations and Regions Investment Funds and leading the Enterprise Capital Funds programme. Furthermore, he will be a key figure in sourcing and executing investments for the upcoming British Growth Partnership.

Louis Taylor, CEO of the British Business Bank, expressed enthusiasm about Kalisperas joining the team, stating that the bank is well-positioned to respond to new opportunities that align with national economic growth objectives. Taylor emphasised the compelling potential these measures have in unlocking substantial investment for innovative UK companies, thus fostering economic progression.

Kalisperas himself has expressed excitement about his new role at a crucial juncture in the bank’s evolution. He highlighted the bank’s commitment to bolstering economic growth throughout the UK, drawing attention to its established investment capabilities in London and Sheffield.

In another strategic development, Ian Connatty has been appointed as the managing partner for the newly formed British Growth Partnership. Initially serving as the deputy chief investment officer, Connatty will lead the new entity, overseeing its strategic direction and ensuring regulatory compliance. His responsibilities will include spearheading fundraising efforts and managing investor relations, thus playing a critical role in the anticipated launch of the partnership in 2025.

These strategic appointments at the British Business Bank underscore its commitment to enhancing investment operations and supporting economic growth across the UK.