Our Story
Donna
At a Glance
Founded AMA in July 2024 in memory of Mark Anthony Villers
It is a Micro Family Run Firm investing in Pre - Seed to Seed.
The company combines Donnas background in nursing, governance, wellbeing, leadership with practical grounded investing.
Built on foundations of legacy, kindness, partnership, and is always purpose driven.
Donna - AKA- Mother of three, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Auntie, Niece, Friend, Professional Nurse, Venture Capitalist.
I founded AMA Venture Capital Investments in July 2024, following the unexpected death of my 42-year-old brother Mark. Mark was a popular and gregarious man; he was charismatic whilst being very compassionate. He was considerate, exceptionally kind-hearted and would always go out of his way to be inclusive offering help and support to anyone and everyone who needed it. He was a very successful entrepreneur and businessman he grew his financial consultancy business from the ground up and his journey helped to support clients accessing finance and navigating the complexity of the financial eco-system. The formation of the company was to continue Marks legacy as a family run company and retain the company within the family control, for the next generation including Marks Son Billy four years old. Mark was a true family man; his family included his friends and his neighbours and the stranger on the street.
Donna, is Marks older sister and the Director of AMA Venture Capital Ltd. formed the company, to set up a Micro Venture Capital Firm to continue Marks legacy. The vision to do this was to target pre-seed end of the scale. At this stage, great entrepreneurial ideas may not come to fruition, not because of a lack of vision, passion, enthusiasm from the founder considering their abilities and potential to innovate and succeed. But because of near impossible access to capital - given start-ups have no prior track record, a lack of projection of sustained income generation, thus high risk lending and often declined applications from mainstay financial institutions and other financial instruments. The niche in the market for Micro investors was highly evident.
Donna's transferable skills are, she is by Profession a well-educated Professional Nurse, registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council. She works as a Nurse Manager in a large Corporate Company that contracts care from the NHS. She has in this and previous managerial roles managed, corporate governance including maintaining key performance indicators, ensuring departments reach their Cquin targets (commissionig for quality and innovation) . She has a firm eye on budgetary compliance thus sustaining the Company for the future. She is resilient, trustworthy, hardworking, passionate. She leads her teams by setting a good example and leads from the front. She is a Coach/Mentor with University of Plymouth with a hands-on approach to everything education as this is the workforce for the future. Her whole life be it in a professional or personal capacity she has always been excited to explore opportunities for transformation and growth as such her life’s journey has unfolded. She is empathetic and this is why she chose nursing as a Profession as she has genuine caring nature and cares about others in all aspects of their lives. How does Nursing and investment sit together you may wonder, well Donna's view on this, is 'if you have a dream and the opportunity to bring it to life, that investment in a persons fulfilment of their life journey, however big or small, supports overall wellbeing'. In turn improved well being nurtures both physical and mental health. Pursuing better health outcomes is a vibrant ever-evolving field, continually shaped by advances in science and technology. I feel privileged to have a seat at both tables.
Donna's Intention following on from incorporation of the Company is for AMA to always be an approachable and responsive company. She will be continuing to network and collaborate with other entrepreneurs, learning from other professional investors this partnership working will channel the company forward by harnessing the strengths, expertise of her fellow professionals and learning from them. (every day we can all learn something new) her focus has been to start on small investments, celebrating the portfolio companies achievements as they work towards reaching their full potential. She is enormously passionate about innovation and the benefits it can bring to the world. She says 'I believe every individual has the right to flourish. I feel so proud to be part of an industry that has contributed significantly to the success of the British and global economy. Thus, building a better future as the design for life and evolution of our Planet'.
Donna's Life Outside AMA Venture Capital Investments
I am employed full time as a Nurse Manager and I consider myself very fortunate as its a position I find rewarding and I feel very passionate about. I work in one of the most idyllic parts of the country in the South Hams. I practice mindfulness, Reiki, to maintain my well being. My favourite author of many is George Orwell. I am a mother of three and have five beautiful grandchildren, I am very family focussed I adore spending quality time with my children and grandchildren and my wider family inc my Mum, dad, Sister, Nephew Billy, Sister in law, Nieces, Aunties and Uncles. Through good times and hard times we are there for each other we are a Tribe. I have four rambunctious fur babies a Pedigree Poodle and three Labradoodles they are such beautiful little beings, that are full of fun and mischief, I enjoy beach & country walks with them.
I enjoy socialising with friends across the globe and I dance very badly to Northern Soul.
I support Exeter Chiefs Rugby - I enjoy Horse Racing the most at Windsor & Cheltenham Race Courses. I prioritise having a cosy home and enjoy DIY. I have a diversified portfolio of investments of which I am really proud of and grateful for .
My Heritage - my roots are in Birmingham, I started my life as the daughter of Publicans (Mum & Dad) , I lived in a Public House just off the Centre of the City in The Jewellery Quarter Region of Hockley . My dad belonged to the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffalo's, the RAOB spoiled me rotten as a small child with the best Easter Egg and Christmas Gift a girl could wish for, the gift of a doll but was so huge it did not fit in my pushchair so I had to amputate its legs much to mum and dads disbelief. As most families we migrate and move around and IT keeps us all connected of which is the greatest of blessings. You can take the girl out of Birmingham but never Birmingham out of the girl , so you will either love or hate talking with me dependant on your tolerance to regional accents.
Where do I want to be in 5 years time? My Company to of remained Micro, too of grown my network and remained connected , to of enjoyed the curiosities along the journey that this life delivers us all. To share in the successes of the Portfolio Companies that we have managed to incubate and grow, to continue blogging and to be developing my confidence towards story telling for health, possibly stepping into teaching and learning via Podcasts. I have never blogged before in my life, albeit my SMS messages to others tell me different and my voice notes my dear brother and I shared were like that of a Podcast. I thank the creators of Tech who made voice notes possible as the memories of hearing my brothers voice when I feel sad, it is priceless beyond measure and now I enjoy these moments with Billy my six yr old Nephew. I cannot wait to have an AI robot to do the family laundry at home.
Emily
Hello I am Emily, I am the bookkeeper here at AMA Venture Capital & Head of Administrative Team , I ensure the smooth operation of the accounting instruments so that all of the Company invoices and receipts are manged in a logistical order. This is to ensure our suppliers and those we work with are paid quickly as this supports their sustainability. We try to always deal with local businesses that support the local economy and community. As such I have a good rapport with many of our clients, suppliers and our team. I have a friendly, polite and enthusiastic nature and try my best to always communicate effectively. I manage most of the incoming mail we receive. I have a keen eye on due diligence with regard to data protection and safeguarding. I take minutes of the Board Meetings and ensure actions are followed up.
I am hugely proud of my mum for founding the company, she never ceases to amaze me not just for being an incredible mum & grandma but by being so brave and courageous in her approach to life on the whole. Mum has never tried to persuade me to live my life how she expects me too, but has allowed me to follow my own dreams and has celebrated in my successes and been there for me helping me to learn when things have not gone quite so to plan. I finished school with GCSE's and attended Exeter College I wanted to follow a career in beauty then decided it was not for me. I 360 that idea and re-enrolled in an Apprenticeship for healthcare. This was the right path and I loved it. I worked alongside my studies at Morrisons and really enjoyed the customer care and friendships I made. Once gaining experience in Health Care I became a Community Care Worker caring for the elderly in their own homes. This position was a position of trust and privilege, I enjoyed it enormously. On completing my studies I was able to interview and gain a position in caring for highly complex individuals with learning disabilities. My role is to care and advocate for these individuals who require extensive support in all aspects of their lives, whilst allowing their main care givers to have a respite break to enable them to cope in the longer term . My role is both fulfilling and satisfying knowing I make a difference for others, I find that hugely rewarding .
I have my own little family, I am a mum to my little boy and my daughter who are adorable and full of fun. I have my partner and my rescue dog who is now lives with us as his forever home. I live on the Devon coast and enjoy walks and days on the beach. As a Shareholder at AMA I have a vested interest in the company succeeding in every aspect of its journey. I provide reassurance for mum who is a sole director should she become incapacitated in the event of illness - accident, I would ensure the communication and processes are followed for the safety of the Company. I schedule meetings for the team, take minutes of such meetings for compliance and keep the company records updated. As a shareholder I have the ability to take part in recruitment which is exciting. We are proudly family led. Our work is guided by shared values, resilience and purpose, rooted in remembrance and built for the future in mind. I feel privileged to be a custodian of our vision. I wholeheartedly share the vision of the AMA being a micro investing firm, based on family values to continue the legacy of my late uncle and for future generations.
Mark
Mark attended Birches Green Junior School in Erdington Birmingham, he went on to study at John Wilmot School Sutton Coldfield Birmingham. Mark was a digital creator and Financial Consultant. He began his business journey founding AM 2 PM Mortgages, Estate Agents & Lettings in the Erdington office. He later in 2007 began the journey as the sole director of Your Choice Mortgage Centre until he married his wife Becci on 1st July 2016 . Becci joined Your Choice Mortgage Centre, alongside Mark and in partnership continued to deliver to their clients independent advice on financial products and services from the whole of the market, placing clients with lenders based on a bespoke individualised needs analysis. Their focus was to always operate a successful business helping their clients to secure both commercial and residential mortgages nationally. Mark and Becci became a little family with the birth of their son Billy . Mark supported Aston Villa Football Team. He enjoyed the outdoors cycling, walking, he enjoyed spending time with Becci and Billy caravanning in their tourer caravan or VW Campervan. Mark loved animals of all kinds and over the years has had bearded dragons, dogs but latterly he loved his dogs , but especially Zell. Mark enjoyed keeping fit and was a keen member of the boxing ring. Mark enjoyed socialising with his friends and family. Mark would always check in with his family, calling his mum, dad, sisters to check in whilst on route to meetings when he was here there and everywhere. Mark through marriage became an integral part of Beci's family, who loved him as one of their own.
Mark 's biggest achievement was being the best version of himself he could be as a daddy to Billy. Marks values were to always teach Billy to be a good, kind, genuine, non judgemental person. He was a hands on dad often seen taking Billy to school and reading the bedtime stories. Marks favourite music he shared with Billy was Bob Marley Three little Birds.
Today - Your Choice Mortgage Centre continues to operate under the company Director of Mrs Rebecca Villers ( Becci)
yourchoicemortgagecentre.co.uk
Team
Here at AMA Venture Capital Investments as a micro venture capital firm it was strategically sensible to on-board the Professional Associates that would be required for the smooth running of the company, providing confidence and safeguarding for all given the nuance of the company. It was an exciting time as all partnerships were forming as a new collaboration at the start of the journey and would grow and support one another through networking alliances and friendships, enterprise.
The Team includes
* A very savvy – Accounting & Tax Planning Company
* Wealth Management Company re: they guide us on our investments being placed they do not provide investment advise to our partners.
* A Corporate Commercial Legal Firm that covers all aspects of legal agreements and advice.
*Fractional Chief Financial Officer
* Our IT solutions enables us to stay ahead of our due diligence
*Our IT Platforms as you will see from accessing this website are supported by Go-Daddy owned through private equity consortium.
* Business Networking, Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, Your Partnerships , Business networks
* Revolute Business Banking
* British Business Bank
Our Company supports our nominated charities - Families in Grief Devon UK (FIG) Charity Registration Number 1116474.
Winston's Wish UK Charity Registration Number 1061359.
Pete's Dragons Devon UK (Torquay) Charity Registration Number 1187394
Ralph Waldo Emerson - It is not the length of a life but the depth!
In Loving Memory of
Mark Anthony Villers (Businessman, Husband, Dad, Son, Brother, Uncle & Friend to all)
09.11.1981 - 21.05.2024
Forever 42
Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust - UK and Ireland (1191420)
Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland | The Patient Charity (1198617)
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