Keen Sky Blues fan marks the end of a glittering career with trip to Wembley - The Coventry Observer

Keen Sky Blues fan marks the end of a glittering career with trip to Wembley

Coventry Editorial 14th Apr, 2017   0

A KEEN Sky Blues fan who has followed the club since 1961 has picked up a major award to mark the end of his business career.

Tim Powell received the Outstanding Contribution to business in Coventry and Warwickshire Award at FirstPro 2017, which showcases the region’s outstanding individuals in professional services.

The Sky Blues supporter has run Minerva the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Angel Network since 2009, giving companies in a variety of sectors the opportunity to bolster their chances of growth with angel investor backing.

He has also helped 60 high-tech companies secure more than £8million of angel funding and supported hundreds of companies from pre-start stage to mature.




Tim was presented with a Coventry City Football Club cake and was given a send-off by colleagues, investors and businesses he has supported over the years.

David Grindrod, chief operating officer at the University of Warwick Science Park, helped chart Tim’s career with the Sky Blues’ fortunes – including bowing out with a trip to Wembley.


He said: “With Coventry City 18th in the old First Division, Tim joined Midland Bank and was administration manager of the High Street branch in Coventry – when there were 134 staff.

“By the time 1990 came round, and with CCFC as league cup semi-finalists, he was Business Manager – working with start-ups and SMEs.

“Midland Bank became HSBC and in 1995 – with his team 16th in the league – Tim left the Bank to embark on a successful new career as a business consultant assisting young businesses grow.”

Tim joined the Science Park in 2002 to manage one of only three national pilot Investment Readiness programmes.

Over the next three year, Tim engaged with 347 businesses and helped create 85 jobs.

Tim said: “If I’d known when I started out in my career in 1972 that the best years would be the last ten, I probably wouldn’t have rushed into work as quickly as I did.

“I have so much respect for entrepreneurs starting out on their own.

“It has got to be one of the hardest things you can do – but it’s been a privilege and I have really enjoyed helping people grow or turn their business idea into a flourishing enterprise.”

“I must also thank the players of Coventry City for a great retirement present, a day out at Wembley.”

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