Opus Advisory appoints Lauren Hartley as fundraising director

Opus Advisory Group has appointed Lauren Hartley as Director within its Strategic Advisory division, tasking her with leading fundraising advisory for high-growth and technology-led businesses across the UK. Hartley, who is based in Manchester but holds a nationwide remit, will focus primarily on Series A and Series B investment rounds.

The firm describes itself as the UK's largest independently owned restructuring and advisory firm. Its Strategic Advisory division sits alongside existing practices in business transformation, turnaround, grants and deal advisory, positioning Opus as an integrated adviser across the business lifecycle rather than a pure fundraising boutique.

Hartley brings experience across equity fundraising, venture debt and growth capital. She has previously advised businesses ranging from early-stage start-ups securing first investment through to companies at pre-IPO stage.

The appointment

In a statement, Hartley pointed to shifting conditions in the fundraising market as a reason for the move. "The fundraising market has changed significantly over the past year, and businesses need advisors who understand those changes and can adapt quickly," she said. She added that the breadth of Opus's wider advisory capability was a draw, noting that businesses sometimes arrive seeking investment when other operational challenges need addressing first.

Tim Dolder, Managing Partner at Opus Advisory Group, described the appointment as "another important step in the continued development of our Strategic Advisory division," citing Hartley's understanding of the pressures facing high-growth businesses.

Market context

The mid-market fundraising advisory sector in the UK has faced a more demanding environment over the past two years, with higher interest rates compressing venture debt terms and a slower IPO pipeline reducing exit optionality for growth-stage investors. Advisers with experience across multiple financing instruments, including equity, venture debt and grant funding, are increasingly valued by founders navigating a more complex capital structure.

Opus's positioning as an integrated restructuring and advisory firm gives it a differentiated angle: clients in financial difficulty and clients seeking growth capital can be served by the same group, allowing cross-referral and earlier intervention.