Tributes paid to corporate financier Tim Edwards
Tributes have been paid to corporate financier Tim Edwards, who has died at the age of 46.
His career in business started in 1986 when he qualified as a chartered accountant with Spicer & Pegler in Manchester.
Between 1990 and 1992, Edwards studied at Manchester Business School, gaining an MBA before moving to corporate finance specialist The McInnes Partnership and overseeing the opening firm's second office in Leeds.
In 1994, he and friend and business partner Steve Roberts bought The McInnes Partnership from its founders and renamed the firm McInnes Corporate Finance.
Dave Irwin joined Edwards and Roberts in 1999, together they grew the firm to become one of the UK’s leading corporate finance boutiques, delivering hundreds of mid market transactions and winning numerous accolades.
In 2005, Edwards and his partners sold McInnes Corporate Finance to AIM-listed Begbies Traynor Group, but he remained with the practice as partner, continuing to grow the business and opened several new offices across the UK.
Edwards left the firm in October 2010 to pursue a variety of business opportunities. Since then, he has advised a number of businesses on both sides of the Pennines in a consultancy and non executive capacity.
Roberts said: "While being all very different Tim, Dave and myself have been very close and above all have had implicit trust in each other. Many people have seen the blunt, dry Tim but I know the very caring man he was.
"Over 17 years he has helped me in many work and non-work related matters and was a loyal friend as well as a business partner. He was always there when I needed him and I will miss him dearly and my thoughts are with his wonderful family."
Irwin added: "Joining Tim and Steve in business was one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken in life. We’ve enjoyed so many good times over the years and shared a unique environment which Tim was undoubtedly the driver for."
He is survived by his wife Gale and daughters Carla (15) and Ellie (11). A funeral service will be held at 9.15am on 13 October at St Winifred’s Church, Mauldeth Road, Stockport. Donations to the Charity diocese of Salford can be made here.
