Who We Are
Ark Invest Limited was created with entrepreneurs, founders and owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in mind; individuals who are focussed on financially maximising their business ownership, whether it's making the company more profitable through a sale, a start-up funding strategy, acquiring growth funding, acquisitions or a planned exit. Utilising a wealth of human capital experience gained over several decades, we strive to become a trusted and valued partner of every investment we undertake.
Our track record proves that we add a dynamic decision-making culture to any project which empowers leadership teams to sustain their entrepreneurial passion and to embrace the business opportunity without fear. Engaging with Ark's management philosophy minimises the risks of making inefficient decisions or embarking on ill-conceived strategies no matter how well-intended.
Unique & Innovative
Ark Invest embraces a visionary approach to business investments devised to maximise a company's potential and to deliver the fiscal goals of all stakeholders.
Dynamic & Methodical
Our team of experienced advisory consultants identify and deliver effective strategies with client teams to achieve pre-defined targets and outcomes.
Professional & Accomplished
Ark Invest is committed to transforming companies into highly profitable ventures utilising our commercial acumen, entrepreneurial flair and business insights.
Richard Clements
Founder & Managing Director
A proven entrepreneur in an array of commercial arenas, Richard has vast experience in all areas of corporate finance and operational business skills. With a proven track record for delivering accelerated business growth, Richard is also renowned for his strong leadership and management skills.
In addition to possessing extensive insights into the investment, acquisition and liquidity markets, Richard's portfolio includes interests in the thriving human capital, contingent workforce and outsourced payroll sectors.
Richard's professional achievements are fitting endorsements of his strategic approach to identifying, inspiring and backing effective management teams. Once established, Richard provides the necessary operational support to enable these teams to develop sustainable and profitable businesses.
Richard Selvey-Clinton
Head of Commercial Finance
An ex-professional cricketer with Essex and Surrey, Richard embarked on a financial career with Barclays within their Asset-based Lending division, before joining the Mid-corporate team at RBS. He duly specialised in Asset Based Lending and Receivables Finance structuring facilities for numerous start-up firms, SME's and corporate entities.
His extensive banking experience provided Richard with a comprehensive knowledge of debt-lending strategies and their ability to support and deliver rapid company growth plans. A proven communicator, Richard facilitated mutually beneficial partnerships between clients and their financial backers in addition to operating in a valued consultative capacity.
Richard's expertise enables Ark to advise owners and investors of UK-based businesses as to the most appropriate and advantageous lending options available to their respective businesses including capital investment, trade and working capital facilities and property finance among others.
Jonathan Smith
Head of Commercial
With a thirty-year career creating organic corporate growth strategies for both B2B and B2C organisations, Jonathan's experience is a fundamental asset of Ark's commercial proposition. His portfolio of successful deals totals over £200million and includes three private equity funded acquisitions, five company sales, three management buyouts, an IPO, plus securing in excess of ten angel investments.
Jonathan was co-founder and Sales Director of AT Communications which achieved an AIM listing, employed over 500 people and turned over £100million+ during his tenure. Further examples of his commercial acumen were demonstrated as Managing Director of both Pharma Consulting Group and Primary Leisure Limited where he was the catalyst for sustained commercial expansion.
His sector experience incorporates commercial interiors, IT, telecoms, recruitment, media, entertainment, waste to energy and mixed reality which adds a wide breadth of insights to Ark Invest. He has also mentored international MBA students at the London Business School and has an eclectic list of hobbies and interests.
