Science and tech-focused investor Northern Gritstone has appointed Joanne Hosker as talent director for its business support services arm NG Innovation Services.
Hosker joins from fellow equity investment firm BGF’s Talent Network Team, where she supported the creation of effective boards, introducing BGF portfolio businesses to a network of non-executive board directors and chairs.
Her remit with NG Innovation Services includes connecting early-stage businesses with sector-specific entrepreneurs, operating partners and c-suite expertise, in order to support these companies on the path to success. She will be based at Northern Gritstone’s office in Manchester.
Launched in July 2021 and chaired by Lord Jim O’Neill, Northern Gritstone invests in and supports early-stage businesses. Its mission is ‘profit with purpose’, combining strong returns for investors with wider positive, societal and economic impact.
The newly created NG Innovation Services offers support to early-stage businesses through its ‘early-stage toolkit’ consisting of accelerator partner programmes under the banner of NG Studios, business services including IT and accounting, and talent navigation led by Hosker.
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone said: “I’m delighted to welcome Joanne to the team. Her experience in building teams that drive growth and her ability to navigate networks and connect talented people will be invaluable to NG Innovation Services and the companies it supports.”
Hosker, added: “Building effective senior teams with the right mix of scaling experience and know-how, sector-specific expertise and leadership capability, is vital to the success of fast-growing, early-stage companies. Northern Gritstone has a well-developed understanding of what early-stage companies truly need and appreciates the importance of supporting leadership and developing talent. I am excited to be contributing to NG Innovation Services on its mission to build tomorrow’s world-class companies in the North.”
