The Singer Way
A message from our Founder & Executive Chair, Tim Cockroft
We founded Singer Capital Markets in 2006 with the aim of servicing the UK small and mid cap market. We wanted to create a great business by encouraging our people to own equity and being partners – a key part of our business philosophy. Whilst many businesses like to keep a strict grip of control, we strongly believe that as many people as possible should own equity – this uniquely positions us as one of the only independent banks in our sector, with partnerships and people at its core. We have a highly entrepreneurial business system which is supported by a very skilled and active capital markets sector. Above all else, our aim is to help ambitious UK companies grow into world leading businesses by providing expert advice, access to capital and liquidity.
Our History
The firm was founded by Julius Singer in London in 1907. Singer was joined soon after by Ernst Friedlander.
By 1957, the firm was able to go public. The IPO helped make the bank an attractive takeover target.
Singer & Friedlander plc moved its headquarters from the City of London to One Hanover Street, London. At the same time, Kaupthing Holdings Limited relocated to the same building and the titles emerged to form Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Capital Markets.
With the backing of Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander, Tim Cockroft, who was previously a founder-shareholder of Peel Hunt, set up Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander Capital Markets with the sole aim of servicing the UK Small and Mid Cap Market.
Following the 2007-2008 financial crisis, KSFCM acquires the share capital held by KSF and re-brands as Singer Capital Markets.
Singer Capital Markets merges with N+1 Brewin to form “N+1 Singer”.
To champion the heritage of our old brand, N+1 Singer rebrands back to Singer Capital Markets but in a more modern and progressive brand strategy which is reflective of our culture and values today.
Our business in numbers
We have specialist capabilities, deep experience and a proven track record of client success in the UK small & mid-cap market. Our business is built on over 100 years of capital markets heritage and is today one of the largest corporate stockbroking platforms in the City of London.
We look after every aspect of a company’s lifecycle, from advising them pre-IPO to making a market on the exchange. We are are passionate about working with fast-growing UK businesses who lie at the heart of our economy.
Our Promise to our Clients
You can trust us with your share price, our expert advice and you can trust our project management.
We care about your day-to-day life as a fast-growing business and we care about your investment decisions.
Our ambition is to deliver shareholder happiness and liquidity to your stock, fulfilling your growth ambitions.
Leadership team
Tim began his career in financial markets on the Stock Exchange floor in 1986. He became one of the founding shareholders of Peel Hunt in 1989 and was a Main Board Director when they floated the business in 2000. The business was later sold to KBC and Tim went on to become Chief Executive in 2004. In 2006 Tim left Peel Hunt, founded Singer Capital Markets and served as CEO until 2022 before becoming Executive Chair.
Tim’s driving ambition is for Singer Capital Markets to be at the forefront of UK plc, providing equity for the growth of the UK small and mid-cap sector. As well as his experience in financial markets, Tim is a sports enthusiast and served as the Chairman of The Queen’s Club from 2014 – 2018 and has been on the R&A’s Open Championship Committee from 2019.
He is married with three daughters and is passionate about the role sport plays in health, in particularly the development of women within sports. Tim is heavily involved in Singer Capital Markets’ partnership of Chelsea FC Women where the firm has been the official partner of the women’s team since 2021 and our internal charity fund, Singer Social Impact.
Steve was appointed CEO in September 2022 having previously served as Head of Investment Banking and Board Director since January 2020. He has over 20 years’ of experience as a corporate finance adviser to UK listed plc’s and managing investment banking operations providing Corporate Broking, ECM and M&A services.
Prior to joining Singer Capital Markets he spent 12 years at Liberum having been a founding member of its corporate advisory business. Steve qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC and is a graduate of Durham University. Commenting on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2022:
“I am a passionate believer in capital markets, the growth companies they fund and the role both play in supporting the UK economy. Singer Capital Markets operates at the heart of this ecosystem; it’s a privilege to lead such a talented group of professionals as we strive to build a brilliant business that has a positive impact on the world around us.”
Stephen was appointed Strategic Adviser to the Company in January 2024. He works alongside the Board and Management advising the business on a number of key growth areas and providing guidance on the firm’s medium and long-term strategy.
Stephen is a CBE recipient for services to Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship and currently Non-Executive Chair of the British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank; and Non-Executive Director of ICG plc, the FTSE 100 alternative investment manager. He has extensive experience of global private capital markets including JP Morgan and Barclays Private Equity and was Founder CEO and then Chair of the Business Growth Fund (BGF) from 2011-2023, one of the UK and Ireland’s most active growth investors.
In an advisory capacity, Stephen has been an adviser to the UK Government on the establishment of the British Business Bank, HM Treasury Patient Capital Review 2017, Prime Minister’s Business Council 2021 and Innovate UK Board 2018-2021.
Prior to his appointment as Head of Investment Banking in 2022, Tom served as Head of Corporate Broking and ECM since 2018.
Tom joined Singer Capital Markets in July 2018 and has over 10 years’ experience in the UK small and mid-cap equity market, firstly as a salesman and latterly as a corporate broker.
As well as his advisory capabilities, Tom maintains strong relationships across multiple key institutions in London and throughout the UK. He has also helped structure and lead numerous secondary fundraisings and IPOs’ in a diverse range of sectors.
Alan joined the Investment Funds team at Singer Capital Markets in April 2009 and has been an Investment Funds specialist for over 28 years. His early career was at Hambros Bank, BZW and Hoare Govett as a Salesman. He moved to Collins Stewart to head the Sales team in 1999 and worked there until mid 2005, when he left to co-found Fairfax, the investment bank, which he left in late 2008.
Alan has helped raise over £4 billion for new funds in the last 8 years.
Alex studied Psychology at Exeter University and began his 23 year City career at Albert E Sharp Securities. Prior to joining Singer Capital Markets in 2012, Alex was Head of Sales at Charles Stanley Securities and Altium Securities.
He has been ranked as a top 3 small & mid cap salesman by Institutional Investor (previously ‘Extel’), and currently manages several of the largest UK clients. Alex went to Malvern College where his love of sports developed (hockey, cricket and golf).
He is married with two boys and a spaniel.
Julie joined Singer Capital Markets having previously held various roles in financial services, HR and fund administration in both the UK and Australia.
Julie studied a Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia and holds a MBA from Heriot-Watt University and a CIPD qualification.
Gareth started his market making career in 1998 at Winterflood Securities where he specialised in Aim and SmallCap companies. After 21 years he left Wins to join Singer Capital Markets as Head of Market Making.
Gareth enjoys mountain biking and horse racing, recently retiring as an amateur jump jockey….much to the delight of his wife and three daughters. Gareth also enjoys running and completed the 2019 London marathon in a respectable 2 hours and 57 minutes.
Karl has worked in the Life Sciences sector for over 25 years and has covered a number of impressive stocks and transactions during his career, including the $1 billion IPO of Serono on the New York Stock Exchange as well as the IPO of Genmab (which was the largest IPO in Europe at the time).
In addition to this, Karl has a PhD in combined scientific training with finance (MSc) and has been a top rated analyst in the UK, US and Canada.
Shaun has been in the City for over 25 years and has covered every aspect of Corporate Finance, from advising on large scale mergers to capital raising activities, and currently runs one of the largest corporate teams by clients in our industry.
Shaun is married with three children and is an extremely competitive sportsman, especially at table tennis.
Lisa joined Singer Capital Markets in 2013 with 9 years’ experience, having previously worked at Evolution Securities and Fox-Davies Capital. Lisa works alongside Corporate Broking and Equity Sales assisting clients for the lead up to and during results roadshows.
Lisa works together with the team to ensure Singer Capital Markets continues to provide clients with an exceptional and prompt service, delivering feedback, share register analysis, market reports and board packs.
James joined Singer Capital Markets in July 2007 to focus on Investment Funds, Real Estate and Media Sectors. Previously at HSBC and Williams de Broë, since 1999, James has gained extensive equity capital markets and M&A experience across a wide variety of transactions.
Prior to starting in the City he qualified as an ACA with Ernst & Young in 1997 in their corporate advisory and financial markets practices.
Spencer studied Computing at Portsmouth University and began his career in 1997 at AllianceBernstein, where he enjoyed a wide range of technology and change management roles.
Prior to joining Singer Capital Markets in 2015, Spencer was Head of Information Technology covering the EMEA & APAC regions. Spencer is married with two children and enjoys all things tech.
Paul joined R J Thompson in 1987 as a Trader, before moving to the London Stock Exchange in 1991, where he discovered his role in Operations. He remained there a year before moving on as Head of Middle Office for Teather & Greenwood, where he later progressed to Head of Trading Operations.
Paul left in 2008 to join Singer Capital Markets, and has been our Head of Operations since.
Steve studied at Warwick University and started his career at the London Stock Exchange before moving to the Securities and Futures Authority (SFA).
Subsequently Steve has worked in Compliance at, amongst other firms, HSBC , Societe Generale, Peel Hunt, Altium Securities and has re-joined Singers from Liberum Capital where he was Head of Compliance for eight years.
steve.davey@www.singercm.com | 0207 496 3093
Nick joined Singer Capital Markets in March 2021 and is responsible for all of the firm’s legal affairs as well as advising on general corporate, securities and regulatory matters. Nick started his legal career in 2007 and has since gained significant private practice and in-house experience covering a wide range of investment banking, corporate finance, regulatory and transactional work.
Nick has a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Finance) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand and is qualified as a Solicitor in both New Zealand and in England and Wales.
nick.gilling@www.singercm.com | 020 7496 3077
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