Enterprise Investment Scheme Association appoints new members to Board of Directors

London, UK, 1 October 2025 — The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association
(EISA) has appointed Wyndham North (British Business Bank), Fred Soneya (Haatch) and
Tom Wilde (Shoosmiths) to its Board of Directors to support the continued success of the
EIS and SEIS in facilitating private investment into fast-growth, innovative start-ups in the
UK.

The scheme was introduced by the government in 1994 to encourage investment in startups
through a number of significant tax incentives, including income tax relief and no CGT on
investments. EIS has played a critical role in driving investment into early-stage businesses.
To date, the SEIS and EIS have facilitated £34 billion of investment into 59,000 startups
across the UK.

Wyndham North is the Managing Director of Investor Relations and Business Strategy for the
British Growth Partnership, part of the British Business Bank. In this role, he oversees the
creation of an investment vehicle designed to attract pension fund investment and support
UK growth opportunities. With over a decade at HM Treasury, Wyndham led work on tax,
investment, and international cooperation, including serving as Deputy Director for Customs,
helping to negotiate and guide trade policy.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I’m honoured to join the EISA Board and help
build on its vital work ensuring that EIS and SEIS continue to channel investment into the
UK’s most promising growth businesses. With the Mansion House Accord creating more
opportunities for pension funds to access private markets, there is huge potential for EIS and
SEIS to play an even greater role in fostering innovation across the UK. My work at HM
Treasury and the British Business Bank has reinforced my appreciation of the crucial role
early-stage investment plays in driving growth and innovation, and I look forward to
supporting that mission.”

Fred Soneya has spent the past twelve years supporting early-stage startups as an operator,
investor, and board advisor, helping founders navigate the journey from idea to exit. Before
co-founding Haatch in 2013, he led several high-profile digital innovation projects at
Kiddicare.com and, following its acquisition, at Morrisons, the UK’s 4th largest supermarket.
As Co-Founder & General Partner of Haatch, Fred leads the firm’s strategy and day-to-day
operations, having overseen the launch of its tax-efficient funds in 2018 and institutional
funds in 2022. Over the past 12 years, he has led the completion of 350+ investments into
150+ companies, onboarded more than 2,000 investors, and pioneered industry firsts in
retail investor access, syndicate strategies, and fund technology. He remains deeply
involved post-investment, offering hands-on support beyond capital from go-to-market
strategy and fundraising preparation to board-level guidance and network introductions,
helping founders and investors drive lasting performance.

Fred Soneya commented: “I am honoured to join the EISA board at such a pivotal time for
our industry. Having seen first-hand the transformational impact SEIS and EIS can have on both founders and investors, I am passionate about ensuring these schemes continue to thrive, driving innovation, job creation and economic growth across the UK. I look forward to helping champion the positive role of SEIS and EIS on both a national and international
stage.”

Tom Wilde is a Partner and Head of the Tax and Incentives Department at Shoosmiths,
specialising in and leading the firm’s EIS and SEIS practice. He and his team provide the full
range of S/EIS advice, from advising on structuring of investments, reorganisations and
exits, to liaising with HMRC to obtain advance assurances (where required), and providing
opinions to a range of EIS funds and investee companies. Tom is a Chartered Tax Adviser.
Shoosmiths has been a finalist in and received commendations in the EISA Awards each
year since 2017.

Commenting on his appointment, he added: “I am delighted to be joining the Board of
EISA and very much looking forward to getting further involved with the great work that the
Association does. I am passionate about the SEIS and EIS schemes being a force for good
that benefits companies, investors and the UK economy alike. I hope I can repay the Board’s
faith in me by doing my bit to represent all parts of the EIS industry, serve the Association,
and help advocate to ensure the continued success of the schemes.”

Joanna Jensen, Chair of EISA, said: “Wyndham, Fred and Tom are all heavily involved in
the early-stage ecosystem and bring a wealth of experience to our Board. Their knowledge
and expertise will help us ensure that the schemes are supporting as many founders as
possible and will help drive awareness across the UK.

The recent increase in SEIS limits has had a tangible impact, with a 51% surge in
investment. This much-needed increase in funding has supported early-stage UK companies
as they embark on their growth journey. With wider economic challenges and the
government’s focus on growth, schemes like the EIS and SEIS must keep pace and the
success of these changes demonstrates just how impactful a similar update to the EIS could
be in supporting scaling UK businesses.”

ENDS

About EISA
The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) is a not-for-profit trade body that exists to
support the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).
These schemes provide tax reliefs to investors to encourage investments in high risk startups in the
UK. EISA’s 400 members represent all areas of the EIS/SEIS ecosystem including Entrepreneurs,
Investors, Fund Managers, Lawyers, Accountants, Tax Advisers, Corporate Financiers, Financial
Planners and Wealth Managers, throughout the UK.