Meet the Team
The Bay Tree team has a wealth of experience, having completed over 30 transactions from a combination of operating, investing and financing roles.
Companies we have worked with, both at Bay Tree and in previous roles
Edward Cottrell
Partner
Edward has worked with business leaders and entrepreneurs at medium-sized businesses since the early 2000s, providing finance, investment and advice to over 100 companies; including well-known brands such as James Villa Holidays, Graze, Ocean Outdoor, Fox’s Mints, Uswitch, and Snow & Rock.
He was involved in the launch of Investec’s Growth & Acquisition Finance business and its development into a leading provider of debt to UK medium-sized businesses. Edward subsequently led the broader Corporate Lending division.
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in South Africa and worked in corporate finance for Merrill Lynch and Investec.
Based in London, he is a sports and wine enthusiast with a passion for travel.
Michael Simmonds
Partner
Michael has over 25 years’ investing experience in medium sized businesses in the UK. His investments include Gail’s, the artisan bakery, Cruise.co an online cruise-only travel agent, Comdirect a share trading platform, Datix a healthcare software provider and Neilson the activity holidays tour operator.
Michael graduated as a mechanical engineer before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PwC. His career began in corporate finance, before making the transition to principle, initially at LDC. For the 11 years prior to joining Bay Tree in 2021, Michael invested alongside Luke Johnson at Risk Capital Partners.
He is a dedicated family man with twins at senior school. He is a veteran triathlete, a lifelong guitar and golf learner and still finds time to play 5-aside football.
David Wingfield
Partner
David has over 10 years of private equity investment experience gained at Rutland Partners, a mid market private equity business. He was a Partner at Rutland and led a number of complex deals.
He has extensive operational and investment experience in the UK mid-market having worked with many small & medium sized businesses, including Notemachine, Cedo and Pizza Hut UK.
He originally qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC, where he worked in London and Sydney. Prior to joining Rutland Partners, he worked at Close Brothers (now DC Advisory) where he advised on a number of mid market private equity deals.
He is married, is a keen golfer and cyclist with a passion for travel.
The team is augmented by highly experienced and networked advisory partners.