National Wealth Fund
Government-owned investor in UK infrastructure and clean energy
Assistant Director - Private Investment
Three days per week in the Leeds office are required.
About the job
- Proven experience in complex financing or investment roles, including lending, investment, advisory, or asset management.
- Deep understanding of market terms and strong financial acumen.
- Commercial astuteness and evidence of negotiation skills from involvement in complex transactions.
- Strong analytical and numeracy skills, including advanced financial modelling.
- Confidence building and maintaining relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Proficiency in understanding and analysing complex information and data during due diligence.
- Excellent presentation and communication skills, including strong written and report writing abilities.
- Support Directors in engaging with investors, developers, banks, and industry to enhance the National Wealth Fund's profile.
- Attend industry events and roundtables and proactively generate new investment opportunities.
- Assist in identifying and evaluating potential projects.
- Prepare Investment Committee papers covering commercial viability, impact, and policy credentials.
- Use debt, equity, and guarantees to deliver financing solutions aligned with the organisation's strategic objectives.
- Participate proactively in deal teams, leading day-to-day structuring, negotiation, and due diligence processes.
- Collaborate internally to share expertise, contribute to sector strategies, and assess the suitability of prospective deals.
- Build positive working relationships with government departments, similar arms-length bodies, investors, advisers, and project sponsors.
- Act as a role model and mentor for junior team members, fostering knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
- Support Directors and deputise as necessary in analysing investment opportunities, collaborating with co-investors, negotiating documentation, and driving due diligence and investment approval processes.
About the company
National Wealth Fund is a UK government-owned investment institution that finances infrastructure projects supporting economic growth and the transition to clean energy. It provides loans, guarantees, and equity investments to private companies in sectors such as clean technology, ports, and critical supply chains, while also offering local governments project development, commercial, and financial expertise for regionally significant schemes like heat networks and solar installations. What sets National Wealth Fund apart is its dual mandate to serve both private investors and local authorities, mobilizing additional private finance alongside its own capital. The goal is to accelerate investment in projects that create jobs and support the UK's shift to a low-carbon economy.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
$1.5B
Headquarters
Wilmslow, United Kingdom
Founded
2021
Get referred to National Wealth Fund
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- 11 September 2026 expanded partnerships cover South Yorkshire, Liverpool, North East, and Cardiff.
- 31 August 2026 Nexeon received £52.6 million for a UK pilot plant.
- 25 August 2026 Tungsten West secured up to £71 million for Hemerdon restart.
What critics are saying
- Projects depend on politics, so ministerial priorities can redirect capital fast.
- The 31 March 2026 report shows one purchased credit-impaired loan already.
- Tungsten West, Nexeon, and regional schemes need private co-financing, delaying returns.
What makes National Wealth Fund unique
- Oliver Holbourn’s NWF combines Treasury backing with debt, equity, and guarantees.
- The Regional Project Accelerator gives local authorities direct access to capital and expertise.
- March 2026 strategy targets capital-intensive infrastructure, clean energy, and crowding-in private finance.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Company News
Cardiff region joins National Wealth Fund partnership. 7th September Cardiff Capital Region partners with the National Wealth Fund to boost Welsh infrastructure, attract investment, create jobs and accelerate economic growth (Image: RICHARDPWALTON.CO.UK) Cardiff Capital Region is joining forces with the UK's National Wealth Fund through a formal agreement aimed at accelerating economic growth and development opportunities across the region. The strategic partnership will provide CCR with direct access to the National Wealth Fund's investment expertise and capital, supporting the expansion of project pipelines, attracting public and private finance, and delivering critical infrastructure to drive economic growth and job creation. Mary Ann Brocklesby, chairman of Cardiff Capital Region, said: "This strategic partnership with the National Wealth Fund is a show of confidence in the region to accelerate the development of genuinely game-changing projects that will drive sustainable economic growth across our region and to the benefit of the nation and local communities. "By combining our deep understanding of local opportunities with the Fund's investment expertise and capital, we can strengthen our pipeline of investable projects, unlock private sector investment and deliver the infrastructure needed to support thriving communities, better connectivity and high-quality jobs. "We look forward to working closely with the National Wealth Fund, Welsh Government and our founding local authority partners to turn ambitious plans into deliverable projects that create long-term prosperity for our residents." Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock also welcomed the collaboration. He said: "The Prime Minister and Chancellor are committed to delivering good growth and jobs in every Welsh postcode. "This will come from empowering regional leaders and supporting modern industries to unlock opportunities for our communities. "The new partnership between the UK Government's National Wealth Fund and Cardiff Capital Region will help boost the Welsh economy by driving investment into infrastructure, regeneration, and the jobs of the future." The partnership forms part of the National Wealth Fund's Regional Project Accelerator programme, which focuses on long-term collaboration with local leaders to identify and deliver high-impact development schemes. Similar partnerships have already supported projects such as Clyde Metro in Glasgow City Region, a new zero-emission bus fleet in Greater Manchester and Mass Transit in West Yorkshire. Kellie Beirne, chief executive of Cardiff Capital Region, said: "I welcome forming a strategic partnership with the National Wealth Fund. "By connecting national investment capacity with the ambition and opportunities across all ten areas in our region - and working in the Welsh way, collaboratively with UK, Welsh and local government - we can unlock private capital, accelerate delivery and make a bigger collective impact for our economy, communities and places. "It is another demonstration of what the Cardiff Capital Region can achieve as a force for Wales." The collaboration builds on CCR's recent regeneration successes, including its Strategic Premises Fund and Northern Valleys Initiative, which have already directed more than £115 million into business and industrial development across the region. More Stories
Government to announce £150 million fund for North of England scale-ups. 7 September 2026 British Business Bank funding of £150 million will be used to provide investing to fast growing businesses in the North of England. Chancellor John Healey will make the announcement during a visit to a manufacturing firm where he deliver a speech outlining the government's "direction for good growth built in more places". The fund, from money already allocated to the British Business Bank, will provide investments of between £5 million and £15 million to university spinouts and other scaling businesses in the North. He will also say the National Wealth Fund has agreed strategic partnerships with South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Cardiff Capital Region. The National Wealth Fund is a government investment fund which partners with the private sector and local authorities to finance infrastructure and other projects in growth industries such as green energy. During the speech, ahead of the Budget on 28 October and the prime minister's announcement of a 10-year plan for growth in the UK, Healey will say: "Ask an economist what growth is and you'll get a number. But ask the country and you'll get a different answer. A young person getting a new job in a company that's on the up. A sole trader winning a new contract that pays for a holiday with their kids. A business winning a new export order, giving the community around it a new lease of life. "The prime minister laid out a clear diagnosis of what has gone wrong in the past. The solution is a fundamental shift that starts with putting power in the right places. "The next chapter of Britain's growth story will be written in more places. "Instead of getting in the way with complexity and red tape, we need a strong, strategic centre wired to enable local leaders and their ambitions. "That's why we created No10 North, working on a dual mission with the Treasury, removing obstacles so that local leaders and businesses can pull together to drive growth and productivity. "I want to see wealth creation in this country. I want to see businesses make a profit. And to create the conditions for that we need an active, accountable state at all levels to remove blockages and create the conditions for more investment."
'Wealth fund' brought in to find funding for major South Yorkshire development projects. Senior reporter Published 7th Sep 2026, 00:01 BST Organisation aims to find money for major development projects. A 'wealth fund' is set to take on South Yorkshire to find investment for some of the major projects lined up for Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster. It has been announced this morning that the National Wealth Fund is expanding to take on the South Yorkshire area, supporting next wave of local growth projects. It has agreed to enter into strategic partnerships with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, as part of the next phase of its work with local and regional leaders to accelerate major growth across the UK. You May Like Get ADT's big fall deal on a professionally installed systemBring home more peace of mind and join the 15 million people who trust ADT to protect their homes 24/7. And right now is the perfect time to get a comprehensive system at our low fall price.ADT Officials say the region has reached the point where some of its planned projects are far enough progressed for its experts to get involved. Initially it will only advise on the best way to get finances, including private capital or Government grants, but officials say in the future the NWF could pledge money itself. Major projects which have been proposed in South Yorkshire have included the expansion of the South Yorkshire tram train scheme, with calls for it to serve Stocksbridge; as well as the re-opening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport; and the proposed Don Valley Corridor of advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries. The agreement will give direct access to the National Wealth Fund's investment knowledge, expertise and capital, to help develop and grow proposed projects, attract public and private finance and provide infrastructure to support growth and create jobs. The NWF has been working with with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Glasgow City Region, West Midlands Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Combined Authority for nearly a year. It has looked at projects including Clyde Metro in Glasgow, the Sports Quarter in the West Midlands, a new zero-emission buses Greater Manchester and mass transit in West Yorkshire. Oliver Holbourn, chief executive of the National Wealth Fund, said: "To unlock the UK's future we need to grow regional economies. "This announcement signals our continued commitment to expanding our partnerships with leaders across the UK, providing tailored support based on local needs and opportunities, creating jobs and spreading the lasting benefits of investment to the local communities they serve." Get ADT's big fall deal on a professionally installed systemBring home more peace of mind and join the 15 million people who trust ADT to protect their homes 24/7. And right now is the perfect time to get a comprehensive system at our low fall price.ADT | Sponsored
Cornish Metals has drawn down the second tranche of its secured credit facilities with the National Wealth Fund and Vision Blue, securing £13.9 million and approximately £6.7 million respectively. The discretionary funding from its two largest shareholders underlines continued strategic backing and is intended to maintain development momentum at the South Crofty tin project.
UK-based BatteryTech firm Nexeon secures €116.7 million with National Wealth Fund backing. August 31, 2026 Nexeon, an Oxfordshire-based developer of advanced silicon-based battery materials, has completed its latest investment round totalling €116.7 million (£100 million/$133 million), with the National Wealth Fund committing €61.4 million (£52.6 million/$70 million). Other new investors include the Korea Development Bank and Honda Xcelerator Ventures. The company plans to use this capital to support the expansion of its domestic operations, strengthen the UK's battery supply chain, create jobs and boost growth. Dr. Scott Brown, CEO of Nexeon, said, "This investment is a strong endorsement of Nexeon's technology and our role in enabling the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. The National Wealth Fund's support reflects the strategic importance of our work, not only in advancing battery performance but also in strengthening the UK's position in the global battery supply chain." Founded in 2006, Nexeon is a battery materials and manufacturing company with a unique silicon anode technology. The company states that its battery materials enable a "significantly higher" cell energy density, allowing for the design of smaller and more cost-effective batteries. This leads to enhanced performance for several applications, including electric vehicles, where range and charging times can be improved. The company states that its technology is backed by over 290 patents and an extensive portfolio of industry-leading cell manufacturing and automotive partners. Its materials are compatible with all types of lithium-ion battery cells, including cylindrical, prismatic and pouch cells, and its global patent portfolio covers all major territories, including the US, Europe, China, South Korea and Japan. The investment round supports the company's continued scale-up and commercialisation efforts. The National Wealth Fund's financing will support the company's development of a UK-based pilot manufacturing facility, directly supporting its research and development activities and allowing the expansion of its manufacturing technology unit, creating a number of new highly skilled jobs. Industry Minister Blair McDougall said, "This investment into Nexeon is the latest win for Britain's world-class advanced manufacturing sector, which will support skilled local jobs and keep our battery industry at the cutting edge of research and innovation. "Hot on the heels of a £130 million investment into net zero vehicle technologies, our Modern Industrial Strategy is doubling down on frontier industries like batteries to help businesses like Nexeon grow their business, create skilled jobs and drive good growth right across the UK." Nexeon recently launched the world's first volume production facility for silicon-carbon materials in Gunsan, South Korea, dedicated to improving lithium-ion battery performance. The Gunsan facility has also recently achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification. Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey MP said, "Companies like Nexeon show the strength of British innovation. And if we are serious about growth, we must be serious about backing British businesses like this with conditions for them to start, scale and succeed here in the UK, as the National Wealth Fund are doing here. That's how we'll get good growth and jobs in every postcode."