Crescent Capital - Venture Capitalists in Belfast Northern Ireland

Colin Walsh – Managing Director

Prior to establishing Crescent in 1995, Colin was an investment manager with Top Technology Limited, the London-based manager of the Hambros Advanced Technology Trust family of venture funds. He has considerable venture capital experience and has been involved with a number of successful flotations and trade sales. From 1992 to 2009, Colin was a director and subsequently Chairman of Trafficmaster plc.  Currently, he is Chairman of Andor Technology plc and a Director of  Balcas Limited, MailDistiller Limited, Nisoft UK Limited and Fusion Antibodies Limited.

Hal Wilson – Investment Manager

Hal has fifteen years venture capital experience gained from the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland markets.  He is currently a director of Replify Limited and PathXL Limited.  Previous successful investments that Hal led on behalf of Crescent and held directorships in include Avalon Instruments Limited (sold to Perkin Elmer Inc in 2006), Audio Processing Technology Limited (sold to Audemat Group in 2009), APT Licensing Limited (sold to CSR plc in 2010) and Lagan Technologies Limited (sold to Kana Software Inc in 2010).  Hal joined Crescent in 2002 from Dublin based Trinity Venture Capital, at that time Ireland’s largest dedicated technology focused venture capital fund.  Prior to entering the venture capital
sector in 1996, Hal spend eight years working in the corporate finance advisory market
with PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Hal has a BsC from St. Andrews University, Scotland
and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Deirdre Terrins – Investment Manager

Deirdre has extensive corporate experience in managing new technology offerings and market creation. Her international sales background in Siemens, (Europe) and Xerox (US) is complimented by venture and change management roles in the US, UK and Asia. Deirdre has managed innovative product and process assignments in both public and private sectors. Her background in new product development includes successful introduction of ‘disruptive’ technologies and the creation of new markets.  She has directed investment in start ups, high growth, MBO and IP commercialisation companies. For Crescent, Deirdre has directed investment of MailDistiller Limited and Speechstorm Ltd. Deirdre acts as advisor to high growth
companies and as a mentor and coach to entrepreneurs.

John Knapton – Investment Manager

John is a Chartered Director with over 25 years experience in business development and international sales and marketing. His wide experience ranges from building companies from the ground up, to driving high GM growth within multi-national PLCs. Locally, John has worked at board level with such companies as Audio Processing Technology Ltd and Andor PLC and globally with such industry leaders as Wearnes Corporation in Singapore and Roper Industries in the USA. A long time member of the IEEE and an active member of the IoD, John chairs the Professional Development Committee in NI and is a regional CDir Ambassador. He also has degrees in Marketing and Engineering and an ILM,
level 7 diploma in executive coaching & mentoring. John is currently a director
at Biznet Solutions and Axis Three.

Dr. Francis Costello – Fund Raising Director

Dr. Francis Costello is a US expat who has lived in Northern Ireland for the past ten years. He was head of the International Trade and Business Assistance for the Boston Economic Development Industrial Corporation 1989-1992 and served in the US Federal Government in top posts in the US Small Business Administration. Along with a Phd from Boston College Frank also holds a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University. His wide knowledge of North America and the world at large adds value on Crescent’s fundraising activities.

Ed Finnegan – Chief Financial Officer

Ed Finnegan has over twenty years experience in Financial Direction. He specialises in financial control functions, development of management information and accounting processes for new and high growth business. Ed manages all aspects of accounting for Crescent and its two Limited Partnerships. In addition, he has extensive experience of working with board teams to guide financial control and planning. On a day to day basis Ed fulfils systems project management roles, oversight and skills coaching for smaller portfolio companies backed by Crescent. Ed previously sustained senior finance roles at board level including FD; company secretary of UP Holdings and as company secretary to a NI division of a RoI plc (Unidare).

Oonagh McIntaggart – Office Manager

Oonagh McIntaggart joined Crescent in 1995 and directs the management of the Crescent Capital office and the programme of investor communications and relations. She manages resource scheduling for the Investment Team and commissions all support services for the day to day running of the office. In addition, Oonagh provides P.A. support for the MD and Investment Managers. She co-ordinates administration of FSA regulatory requirements and facilitates communication with investee companies within the managed funds. Oonagh has extensive investment administration and office direction experience. Oonagh holds an IPD (Personnel Practice) and has experience of Personnel Management from previous roles.

Vivienne Spence – Office Administrator

Vivienne Spence provides commercial and managerial administration for Crescent Capital. She oversees the daily operation of all “back office” functions and provides executive support to the three Investment managers. Vivienne has been with Crescent Capital since 2000 and has extensive experience in commercial administration from her previous roles in the public sector, electrical contracting services and the charities sector.