The British Business Bank has appointed Charlotte Lawrence, an investment professional with over two decades of experience, as its new managing director of direct equity.
In her new role, Lawrence will be in charge of the bank’s direct and co-investment activity. Her appointment follows reforms to the bank’s investment capabilities made in 2025 that mandated it to increase the number and size of investments it makes into high-growth UK scaleups.
“As the Bank takes on a bigger role in providing scaleup capital, strengthening our direct investing capability is a priority,” said the bank’s chief investment officer Leandros Kalisperas.
“Our direct investments into companies provide all-important growth capital and ensure the UK taxpayer gains exposure to the UK’s fastest growing companies.
“Charlotte has an exceptional track record of backing high growth companies, and her leadership will be critical as we deploy larger investments to help UK businesses to scale here at home.”
Lawrence previously worked as the managing director of PSG Equity, a growth equity firm with $28bn in assets under management.
She has also held senior roles at The Carlyle Group and Merrill Lynch and has held board positions on a variety of investment groups, startups and scaleups including Albion Capital, Graze and Eggplant.
“The British Business Bank sits at the heart of the UK’s innovation ecosystem, giving us a unique role in the market,” Lawrence said.
“With our expanded investment capabilities alongside the launch of the British Growth Partnership, we have an exceptional opportunity to provide the long-term investment our most ambitious companies need. I look forward to working with the team to scale up our backing for the next generation of UK champions.”