Rathbones Inspire

Empowering UK entrepreneurs and founders as they build and scale their businesses

A community for business visionaries

Rathbones Inspire has been created to give business leaders and their senior teams the opportunity to engage with talented peers, gain invaluable insights, access subject matter experts, and build new connections to further strengthen their businesses. 

Our Inspire community members gain access to exclusive content, regular networking opportunities and deep expertise that could help you and your team manage the key growth challenges around capital, clients, and people.

There is no charge, or an obligation to release equity. All we ask of you is your time and a desire to take an active part in the programme.

About the programme

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The programme

Learn about the access to content, experts and networks that the programme offers.
The programme
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Who can join?

Inspire is available to founders, business owners and their leadership team - discover our membership criteria.
Who can join?
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Inspiring insights

The latest news and views from Rathbones for entrepreneurs.
Inspiring insights

What our community thinks about Inspire

During the preparing for an exit interview, Paola’s comment that when leaving a sales meeting "always make sure that the potential client also has work to do" was my biggest key takeaway.
 
Feedback reviewed 26/06/2024

The most valuable learning or take away from the Fundraising event was the session with founders. They were honest and helpful. Adam Baron was also great.

Feedback reviewed 26/06/2024

In the digital age, sometimes our first action may be to contact investors via LinkedIn etc but nothing can replace real life human interaction, and how people feel after they’ve seen you in person. At an early stage, your passion, your drive and the gleam in your eyes can go a long way.

Feedback reviewed 26/06/2024

Revisit our past events
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Keen to join?

Apply to join Inspire

Meet our team dedicated to entrepreneurs

Paola Cuneo

Paola Cuneo

Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement

Paola Cuneo

Lead Entrepreneurial Engagement

London

Paola joined Rathbones in January 2020 to head up the engagement with entrepreneurs.

Previously Paola worked for the  London Stock Exchange Group where she led the community of entrepreneurs and the Private Market,  connecting companies with capital. Paola also ran EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and she set up and ran a programme for the Department of International trade aimed at helping foreign graduates to set up their businesses in the UK providing access to capital, mentoring and business advises.

Paola is a mentor and a regular contributor for RisingWISE, a combined initiative of Cambridge and Oxford University supporting women in STEM who have aspirations to become entrepreneurs.

Paola joined Rathbones in January 2020 to head up the engagement with entrepreneurs. Previously Paola worked for the  London Stock Exchange Group where she led the community of entrepreneurs and the Private Market,  connecting companies with capital. Paola also ran EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and she set up and ran a programme for the Department of International trade aimed at helping foreign graduates to set up their businesses in the UK providing access to capital, mentoring and business advises. Paola is a mentor and a regular contributor for RisingWISE, a combined initiative of Cambridge and Oxford University supporting women in STEM who have aspirations to become entrepreneurs.
Paola Cuneo
Jake Wellesley-Smith

Jake Wellesley-Smith

Client development director - North

Jake Wellesley-Smith

Client development director - North

Kendal

Jake joined Rathbones in 2020.  He spearheads the client development activities across the North of England and the Midlands, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships.

Jake started his career in finance at Lombard Street Research before moving into the private client investment world with Border Asset Management in Cumbria.  He joined Rathbones after 7 years working for Aberdeen Standard Capital (formerly Standard Life Wealth) following the acquisition of Newton Investment Management's private client arm in 2013.  

Jake is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Jake joined Rathbones in 2020.  He spearheads the client development activities across the North of England and the Midlands, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships. Jake started his career in finance at Lombard Street Research before moving into the private client investment world with Border Asset Management in Cumbria.  He joined Rathbones after 7 years working for Aberdeen Standard Capital (formerly Standard Life Wealth) following the acquisition of Newton Investment Management's private client arm in 2013.   Jake is a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
Jake Wellesley-Smith
Matthew Carr

Matthew Carr

Client development director - South

Matthew Carr

Client development director - South

Winchester

Matthew joined Rathbones in 2021 to spearhead the client development activities across the South and South West of England. He has responsibility for delivering the wide range of Rathbones services to our clients and is leading the development and management of intermediary relationships across the region.

Matthew started his career in the British Army, before joining Reuters Ltd in London and then Asia. Whilst in Asia, Matthew moved into banking, working for Credit Agricole and subsequently BNP Paribas Equities and Derivatives, returning to London with BNPP. He went on to build an ETF business at Rabobank, before joining Credit Suisse Private Banking in London, where he led the business development team. 

Matthew joined Rathbones in 2021 to spearhead the client development activities across the South and South West of England. He has responsibility for delivering the wide range of Rathbones services to our clients and is leading the development and management of intermediary relationships across the region. Matthew started his career in the British Army, before joining Reuters Ltd in London and then Asia. Whilst in Asia, Matthew moved into banking, working for Credit Agricole and subsequently BNP Paribas Equities and Derivatives, returning to London with BNPP. He went on to build an ETF business at Rabobank, before joining Credit Suisse Private Banking in London, where he led the business development team. 
Matthew Carr
Ramsay Wilson

Ramsay Wilson

Client development director - Scotland

Ramsay Wilson

Client development director - Scotland

Glasgow

Ramsay joined Rathbones in 2023. He spearheads the client development activities across Scotland, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships.

Ramsay started his career in 2007 as a Trainee Investment Manager with Brewin Dolphin in London before moving to Switzerland to work for a Zurich based Hedge Fund.

Since returning to Scotland in 2014, Ramsay has held client facing investment roles with a large Family Office, Swiss Bank and a Global Investment Manager.

Ramsay holds an MSc in Investment Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI.

Ramsay joined Rathbones in 2023. He spearheads the client development activities across Scotland, delivering discretionary portfolio management services to private clients, charities and trusts. He is also responsible for developing and managing intermediary relationships.Ramsay started his career in 2007 as a Trainee Investment Manager with Brewin Dolphin in London before moving to Switzerland to work for a Zurich based Hedge Fund.Since returning to Scotland in 2014, Ramsay has held client facing investment roles with a large Family Office, Swiss Bank and a Global Investment Manager.Ramsay holds an MSc in Investment Management and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI.
Ramsay Wilson
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