Leading Manchester and Stockport businesses recognised for outstanding growth and impact

Silveray, Summize and Leep Group have won UK Private Capital Vision 2026 Awards for the North West.

Sponsored by Grant Thornton and Santander, the annual awards recognise the management teams of companies backed by private equity and venture capital, alongside their investors. This year’s North West winners were recognised in the Early-stage, Scale-up, International Expansion and Medium categories:
 

Early-stage:

Silveray, backed by Northern Gritstone, ACF Investors and PXN Ventures, was chosen as the winner in the Early-stage category. The Greater Manchester-based business is developing flexible Digital X-ray Film. A University of Surrey spin-out, Silveray has used investment to accelerate product development, strengthen its intellectual property and build its team, supporting the commercialisation of its imaging technology.
 

Scale-up and International Expansion:

Summize, backed by Maven Capital Partners, was chosen as the winner in both the Scale-up and International Expansion categories. The Manchester-based business provides AI-powered contract intelligence software, helping organisations review, create and manage contracts. With Maven’s support, Summize has invested in product development and its workforce while expanding in the US, including opening a second US office in San Diego alongside its existing Boston presence.
 

Medium:

Leep Group, backed by Palatine, was chosen as the winner in the Medium category. The skills provider delivers pre-employment training, employment support, skills bootcamps and apprenticeships in areas including digital skills and HR. Since Palatine’s investment in 2020, the group has expanded its training provision and apprenticeship capabilities, supporting more than 11,000 learners in 2025, while further improving the quality of its provision.
 

Michael Moore, Chief Executive of UK Private Capital, commented

“The Vision Awards celebrate management teams that are building ambitious businesses and creating long-term value. Silveray, Summize and Leep Group demonstrate the breadth of talent in the North West, from deep-tech innovation and next generation imaging to education and skills training that open up opportunities for people and communities.

“Their achievements demonstrate how private capital is acting as a partner for growth all across the UK’s nations and regions. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and the investors supporting their success.”
 

Dan Cathie, CEO, Silveray, said:

"We're delighted to receive this recognition from UK Private Capital. This award reflects the strength of the exceptional team we've built at Silveray, bringing together deep expertise in imaging, advanced materials, engineering, product development, and commercialisation. We're grateful to our investors who have supported our vision of building a world-leading X-ray imaging company from Greater Manchester. From industrial inspection to future opportunities in healthcare and beyond, we're excited about the impact flexible digital X-ray technology can have across industries worldwide."
 

Duncan Johnson, CEO, Northern Gritstone, said:

“Congratulations to Dan Cathie and the whole Silveray team on this well-deserved recognition from UK Private Capital. Dan has built a talented team combining deep tech and commercial experience. Silveray’s flexible digital X-ray film is a real step change for industrial X-ray inspection. It’s no surprise that industry is already buying its technology and that the company has a growing pipeline of strategic partners. Silveray shows exactly what Northern Gritstone was set up to back: world-class deep tech, built in the North West and ready to scale globally.”
 

Louise Chapman, Investment Director and NPIF II Fund Principal at PXN Ventures, said:

“Silveray has had a standout year, from the grand opening of its headquarters in Stockport to winning this prestigious UK Private Capital award. Dan and the team truly deserve this recognition. They’re doing genuinely innovative work in the X-ray technology space, and we’re proud to back them through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II and the GMC Life Sciences Fund. This is exactly what both funds are for – helping ambitious regional businesses access the capital and support they need to scale.”
 

Tom Dunlop, CEO and Co-founder of Summize, said:

“Summize started in Manchester with a simple ambition: to make contracts easier to understand and less time-consuming to manage. Today, our technology is helping businesses in the UK and internationally transform the way their teams work with contracts, using AI to make the process faster and more accessible. Maven’s backing has given us the long-term support required to build on our exceptional growth. Receiving a Vision 2026 award is fantastic recognition of how far we’ve come and the ambition we have moving forward.”
 

Jez Thompson, Partner at Maven Capital Partners, said:

“Summize has developed from an ambitious technology business into a leading international software company, all the while continuing to invest in the innovation that set the business apart in the first place. We’ve been delighted to support Tom and the team as they’ve strengthened the platform, built their team and expanded into the US. Their success shows the impact that long-term investment and a strong management team can have in helping UK technology businesses fulfil their international potential, and this Vision award is thoroughly deserved.”
 

Luke Muscat, CEO, Leep Group, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from UK Private Capital. It is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our teams across Leep Group, who are passionate about transforming lives through education, skills and employment.

“Our journey demonstrates that commercial success and positive social impact can go hand in hand. With the support of our investment partners, we have been able to accelerate our growth, invest in our businesses and expand the opportunities we create for learners, employers and communities.

“To be recognised among so many outstanding businesses across the North West is a fantastic achievement and one that everyone across Leep Group can be proud of.”
 

James Gregson, Partner (Impact Investment Team) at Palatine, said:

“Congratulations to Luke and the whole team at Leep Group on winning the UK Private Capital Vision 2026 award for the North West. The group has almost tripled in size since our investment in 2020, and we are incredibly proud to have invested in a business with such a high-quality provision, now training over 11,000 learners every year, and counting…”
 

Chris Thomas, Director of Structured Finance at Santander, commented:

“Congratulations to Silveray, Summize and Leep Group on their well-deserved Vision Awards wins. From developing new technology to expanding internationally and creating opportunities through skills and training, these businesses demonstrate the ambition and diversity of the North West business community.

“Santander is proud to support the Vision Awards and celebrate the role of private capital in helping businesses invest, grow and create lasting value.”
 

Humza Khan, Director (National Private Equity Coverage) at Grant Thornton, commented:

“This year’s North West winners show what can be achieved when ambitious management teams are supported by investment and expertise. Silveray, Summize and Leep Group illustrate the different ways private capital-backed businesses are innovating, scaling and make a positive impact.

“Grant Thornton is delighted to support the Vision Awards and recognise the partnerships between businesses and investors that help turn ambition into sustainable growth.”

Notes to Editors:  

For further information, please contact:  
UK Private Capital Press Office 
Email: [email protected]
 

Background:

About UK Private Capital

UK Private Capital is the industry body and public policy advocate for the private equity (PE), venture capital (VC) and private credit ecosystem in the UK. With a membership of 600 firms, we represent UK-based private capital firms, as well as their professional advisers and a large base of UK and global investors. The private equity, venture capital and private credit industry has a vital role to play in driving national and regional growth. Currently over 13,000 companies, employing more than 2.5 million people, are backed by private capital investment in the UK.