finnCap
finnCap is a British investment bank and corporate and institutional stockbroker serving public and private companies in the United Kingdom.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
finnCap is a London-based British investment bank, financial-services firm, and corporate and institutional stockbroker. Its activities span investment banking, equity research, institutional sales and trading, market making, strategic advisory, debt advisory, mergers and acquisitions, public-company advisory, and private growth-capital raising. Through the finnCap Group structure, the business combines capital-markets services with corporate-finance advice, giving companies access to support across several stages of development, from private fundraising and growth financing to public-market transactions and ongoing institutional engagement. The business originated in 2007 through a 50% buyout of the corporate-advisory and broking division of JM Finn. The transaction did not make the company fully independent immediately: the remaining 50% was acquired from JM Finn in May 2010. At that point, the business changed its legal name from J. M. Finn Capital Markets Ltd to finnCap Ltd, aligning its corporate identity with the finnCap trading name. finnCap expanded its regulated and transactional capabilities during the following decade. It received regulatory clearance to begin market-making activities in 2013 and became an FCA Sponsor for transactions on the London Stock Exchange Main Market in 2014. In 2018, the company acquired Cavendish Corporate Finance LLP, a UK independent mergers-and-acquisitions adviser. The acquired business was subsequently incorporated into the group as finnCap Cavendish, broadening the group's advisory offering and connecting its equity-broking platform with M&A and corporate-finance expertise. The group floated on the Alternative Investment Market in December 2018 and began trading as finnCap Group Plc. Its reported service range includes investment banking, equities research, institutional sales and trading, market making, PLC strategic advisory, public and private M&A, debt advisory, private growth capital, and alternative capital. In May 2022, finnCap acquired a 50% interest in Energise Limited, a UK sustainability consultancy. This investment added sustainability and environmental, social and governance advisory capability to the group's offering. finnCap's market coverage is centered on UK listed companies, particularly businesses quoted on AIM and the London Stock Exchange Main Market. The group has stated that it researches approximately 150 companies and makes markets in approximately 130 stocks across AIM, the Main Market, and related London equity markets. In the financial year ended 31 March 2022, it described itself as the leading NOMAD on AIM, with approximately 120 retained clients. During that year it reported client transactions with an aggregate value exceeding £3.2 billion, including approximately £700 million of equity raised, approximately £2.1 billion of public and private M&A transactions, and approximately £400 million of debt finance. These figures are historical and describe the cited financial year rather than current performance. The group is majority employee-owned and has been described as employing 149 people. The cited leadership structure comprises John Farrugia as chief executive officer, Richard Snow as chief financial officer, and Robert Lister as chairman. finnCap's positioning is that of an independent, integrated capital-markets and corporate-finance adviser for growth companies, institutional investors, and businesses undertaking strategic, financing, or public-market transactions.
History
finnCap was established in 2007 through the partial buyout of JM Finn's corporate-advisory and broking division. The initial transaction covered 50% of the business. The remaining 50% was acquired from JM Finn in May 2010, making the operation wholly independent. At the same time, the company changed its legal name from J. M. Finn Capital Markets Ltd to finnCap Ltd, bringing its registered identity into line with its established trading name. The firm broadened its regulated market activities in the early 2010s. In 2013, it obtained regulatory clearance to begin making markets in securities. In 2014, it became an FCA Sponsor for transactions on the London Stock Exchange Main Market, adding a formal role in supporting companies undertaking certain listed-company transactions. A significant expansion occurred in 2018, when finnCap acquired Cavendish Corporate Finance LLP, a UK independent adviser specializing in mergers and acquisitions. The acquired advisory business was subsequently rebranded as finnCap Cavendish. The combination extended finnCap beyond equity broking and research into a broader investment-banking model covering M&A, strategic advisory, public-company work, debt, and private capital. In December 2018, finnCap floated on AIM and began trading under the name finnCap Group Plc. The group's business model combines research, institutional sales and trading, market making, corporate broking, capital raising, and advisory work. Its client base and market activity are especially associated with companies quoted on AIM and the London Stock Exchange Main Market. The group has described itself as researching approximately 150 companies and making markets in approximately 130 stocks across those markets. For the financial year ended 31 March 2022, finnCap reported that it was the leading NOMAD on AIM, with approximately 120 retained clients. It also reported client transactions exceeding £3.2 billion in aggregate value during that financial year. The cited activity included approximately £700 million in equity fundraising, approximately £2.1 billion across 29 public and private M&A transactions, and approximately £400 million in debt finance. These figures relate specifically to that reporting period. In May 2022, finnCap acquired a 50% interest in Energise Limited, a UK sustainability consultancy. The investment added sustainability and ESG advisory expertise to the group and complemented its existing capital-markets and corporate-finance services. The group has been described as majority employee-owned and London-based. Its cited leadership consists of chief executive John Farrugia, chief financial officer Richard Snow, and chairman Robert Lister.
- 2022Investment in Energise
The group acquired a 50% interest in sustainability consultancy Energise Limited.
- 2018Cavendish Corporate Finance acquisition
finnCap acquired Cavendish Corporate Finance LLP, later rebranding it as finnCap Cavendish.
- 2018AIM flotation
The group floated on AIM in December and began trading as finnCap Group Plc.
- 2014FCA Sponsor status
finnCap became an FCA Sponsor for Main Market transactions.
- 2013Market-making clearance
The company received regulatory clearance to begin market-making activity.
- 2010Full independence from JM Finn
The remaining 50% was acquired from JM Finn in May 2010, and the company adopted the finnCap Ltd name.
- 2007Business established through JM Finn buyout
finnCap was founded following the buyout of 50% of JM Finn's corporate-advisory and broking division.
Products and positioning
An independent, employee-owned UK investment bank and corporate-finance platform combining equity research, institutional broking, market making, capital raising, M&A, debt advisory, and sustainability expertise.
Investment banking and capital raisingInvestment banking
finnCap advises companies on equity fundraising, private growth capital, alternative capital, and related investment-banking transactions. Its work is oriented toward businesses seeking financing or strategic support in public and private markets.
Equity researchResearch
The group produces research covering approximately 150 companies, supporting institutional investors and providing public-market analysis for companies listed on AIM and the London Stock Exchange Main Market.
Institutional sales, trading and market makingSecurities trading2013
finnCap provides institutional sales and trading and makes markets in approximately 130 stocks. Its market-making activity covers securities traded on AIM and London Stock Exchange markets.
Corporate finance and M&A advisoryCorporate advisory2018
Through its corporate-finance platform and finnCap Cavendish, the group advises on public and private mergers and acquisitions, strategic transactions, PLC matters, and related corporate-finance assignments.
Debt advisoryDebt finance
The group advises clients on debt finance and debt-related capital raising, complementing its equity, M&A, and private-capital services.
Sustainability and ESG advisorySustainability consulting2022
The 2022 acquisition of a 50% interest in Energise Limited added access to sustainability and ESG advisory capabilities within the wider finnCap service offering.
Flagship businesses
- AIM and London Stock Exchange corporate broking
- Equity capital raising
- Public and private mergers and acquisitions advice
- Institutional equity research and market making
- NOMAD and FCA-sponsored Main Market advisory
- Private growth capital and debt-finance advice
Brand decisions
- 2022Invest in sustainability advisoryStrategy
The group sought to add sustainability and ESG expertise to its financial and corporate-advisory services.
What changed. finnCap acquired a 50% interest in Energise Limited, a UK sustainability consultancy.
Aftermath. The investment added ESG advisory capability to the group's broader offering.
- 2018Acquire and integrate Cavendish Corporate FinanceM&A
finnCap sought to broaden its capital-markets business with independent M&A and corporate-finance capability.
What changed. It acquired Cavendish Corporate Finance LLP and subsequently rebranded the business as finnCap Cavendish.
Aftermath. The group described the combination as enabling a wider end-to-end offering spanning investment banking, equity and debt advisory, M&A, public-company work, and private growth capital.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| John Farrugia | Chief Executive Officer | — |
| Richard Snow | Chief Financial Officer | — |
| Robert Lister | Chairman | — |
Recent events
- 2022finnCap takes a stake in Energise
In May 2022, finnCap acquired a 50% interest in Energise Limited, a UK sustainability consultancy, adding ESG and sustainability advisory capability.
M&A - 2018finnCap acquires Cavendish Corporate Finance
finnCap acquired UK independent M&A adviser Cavendish Corporate Finance LLP, which was later rebranded as finnCap Cavendish.
M&A - 2018finnCap Group lists on AIM
The group floated on the Alternative Investment Market in December 2018 and began trading as finnCap Group Plc.
Other
Sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/finncap · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled