The Novi Team
The Novi team is comprised of friends who met during their Executive MBA and bonded over a mutual passion for businesses in the UK LMM. After many late-night conversations about the thousands of companies which are the backbone of the UK economy, Josh, and Ben joined forces with the ultimate goal of making a tangible impact in this space. With their unique operational track record, the team is dedicated to identifying the best UK SMEs and unlocking value through a partnership approach and strategic/operational excellence.
Josh is a senior finance and strategy executive with over 10 years of experience in PE, leveraged finance and management consultancy. Having worked on >£100m of LMM transactions and raised >£1bn of funds for UK SMEs, he leverages his network for the benefit of the companies he supports. Josh's strategy experience has helped companies' springboard their growth by launching new products, expanding into new markets in Europe & Australia, and investing in their people and systems.
Josh hails from Gloucestershire and loves to get out for a round of golf. His golfing success is a mixed bag, but he was fortunate to earn his 'Blues' and play for the Cambridge 2nd team at university. Josh is an avid Arsenal fan (someone has to be) and lives with his wife in the converted old Highbury stadium.
Experience: Leveraged finance Director, Investor & Strategy Consultant
Qualifications: MBA (University of Cambridge, Distinction), BSc Hons
Josh Neely
Ben Saward
Ben is a senior operations leader with 10 years of experience leading transformational, global programmes across a variety of sectors. He is equally at home in the office or on the factory floor and enjoys translating strategic visions into tangible operational improvements. Ben has worked globally (UK, pan-EU, USA, and China) and loves taking exciting projects and teams into new markets. He has been fortunate to work on large fundraises for UK SMEs, helping take them to the next level and expand rapidly. Ben has also worked as a consultant for a variety of UK businesses and enjoys engaging with founders to help them unlock unseen value and implement scalable processes.
Outside of work Ben is a devoted rugby fan, playing to a high level before his knee had other ideas. His dad is a proud Welshman and (until recently!) he and Ben have enjoyed a string of successful Six Nations campaigns. Ben lives in London with his wife and their dog Burfee. As Malbec lovers, they would love to visit Argentina!
Experience: COO, CSCO & VP
Qualifications: MBA (University of Cambridge), BSc Hons, MCIPS