Bruce is available for hire
Hire BruceBruce Bower
Verified Expert in Finance
Finance Expert
Location
London, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
April 8, 2020
Bruce is a non-executive director and angel investor based in London. After working as a fund manager for many years, he now helps growing companies in all industries with strategy, financial management, and fundraising. Bruce has assisted numerous early-stage and growth-stage companies in crafting their strategy, financial plan, and messaging to raise millions from institutional investors and angels. He also helped them to access debt financing and avoid additional equity dilution.
Career Highlights
Independent Director
Canarias Holding
Non-executive Director
Medefer
Partner and Portfolio Manager
VPE Capital
Education Highlights
Master's Degree
London School of Economics and Political Science
Bachelor's Degree
University of Chicago
Case Studies
Industry Expertise
Other Expertise
Work Experience
Independent Director
2015 - PRESENT
Canarias Holding
- Helped prepare Echobox for a fundraising process, including the strategic review of the business, building the financial model, and constructing the pitch deck. Introduced the company to its lead investor, leading to a GBP 2.5 million raise.
- Assisted Smile 2 Impress, a leading Spanish direct-to-consumer orthodontics company, in preparing for a EUR 30 million fundraising process. Helped with corporate strategy, financial planning, and identifying key hires in its target geographies.
- Assisted Skara Holdings Ltd with getting a 1 million acquisition and development loan for the purchase of the Albyn in Aberdeen, Scotland. Subsequently, helped them to get a 2.1 million loan to acquire the Bieldside Pub.
Focus areas: Fundraising Consultant, Financial Analysis, Consulting, Strategy, Business Plan Consulting, Financial Modeling, Fundraising, Finance, Angel Investing, Pitch Decks, Valuation
Non-executive Director
2015 - PRESENT
Medefer
- Raised GBP 12 million in equity over three rounds from institutions and angel investors around the world, constructing the pitch deck and financial model used to support the capital raise.
- Led the formulation of the five-year strategic operating plan, working closely with the board of directors.
- Authored the corporate finance strategy, which led to the pursuit of debt financing options and a raise of $300,000 low-cost borrowing to finance growth.
- Sourced and managed relationships with various Eastern European software development providers to help the firm's IT department to scale faster and more cost-effectively.
- Assisted the company with upgraded accounting and control within the finance function.
Focus areas: Strategic Planning, Capital Raising, Finance, Fundraising Consultant, Business Plan Consulting, Fundraising, Financial Forecasting, Angel Investing, Pitch Decks, Valuation, Funding Presentations, Director
Chairman
2010 - PRESENT
Life & Soul Pictures
- Created fundraising materials and built financial models for guiding the business and forecasting various scenarios.
- Raised over one million in development finance for various projects, including "Heart of a Soldier," written by an Oscar-winning writer.
- Raised 200,000 in debt financing for general working capital for the production company at competitive terms.
- Wrote story treatments for numerous film and TV projects.
- Provided outsourced film and TV development services to other production companies and mini-majors.
Focus areas: Film & Television, Equity Financing, Debt Financing, Financing, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Business Plan Consulting, Finance, Pitch Decks, Director
Advisor
2020 - 2022
Support Room
- Assisted the company in formulating strategy and mapping out the first financial statements and forecasts at the idea stage.
- Prepared fundraising materials, including pitch deck, financial forecasts, business plan, and legal documents.
- Reached out to my investor network and reached out to new investors, singlehandedly raising the majority of a 1 million equity round that closed in early 2022.
Focus areas: Strategy, Finance, Fundraising, Equity Financing, Equity Raises, Fundraising Consultant, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Pitch Decks, Valuation, Director, Funding Presentations, Consulting
Partner and Portfolio Manager
2010 - 2014
VPE Capital
- Produced top decile returns and never underperformed the benchmark as a portfolio manager on a $200 million fund.
- Researched over 400 stocks in the Eastern Europe universe and managed a team of analysts.
- Marketed the funds globally, leading to a capital raise of $375+ million from the top 25 US endowments and foundations, US and EU family offices, and sovereign wealth funds.
- Interacted daily with management teams in Russian and English.
- Evaluated and led diligence for private equity deals on behalf of our core investor.
Focus areas: Financial Analysis, Fundamental Analysis, Portfolio Management, Equities, Valuation, Financial Modeling, Equity Investment, Stock Market, Finance, Fund Management, Financial Services
Portfolio Manager
2005 - 2009
Kazimir Partners
- Conducted fundamental research, including meeting management, constructing discounted cash flow models, and creating company desk notes for a universe of 350+ listed equities in Russia and the former Soviet Union.
- Managed the $200 million Kazimir Russia Growth Fund, a long-only Russian equities fund.
- Returned cumulative +30.1% net vs RTS Index -31.9% (Class A shares). Ranked #1 in the peer group of Russian managers and funds from July 2006 to July 2009.
- Marketed the fund to global institutional clients, with a focus on US endowments and foundations.
- Managed a team of analysts and the creation of a research IT system.
Focus areas: Financial Analysis, Fund Management, Portfolio Management, Financial Modeling, Equity Investment, Stock Market, Valuation, Finance, Financial Services, Equities
Education
2009 - 2010
Master's Degree in Political Economy
London School of Economics and Political Science - London, England
1999 - 2003
Bachelor's Degree in Economics
University of Chicago - Chicago, Illinois