People on the move: Knight Corporate Finance; Knight Frank; Artez

KNIGHT Corporate Finance has appointed entrepreneurial corporate finance advisor, Steve Stuart to its team bringing 30 years of experience to focus on business development opportunities and to review fund raising opportunities for sister company Knight Ventures.

Formerly a partner at Brabners Stuart Corporate Finance and Ernst & Young, Stuart has extensive experience in funding in the media and technology sectors, across the UK and into Europe.

“In the past year I reassessed where I wanted to be in my working life and decided to embark on new projects and ventures where I could provide input and insight as part of a team,” said Stuart. “Importantly, I realised I wanted to work with like-minded entrepreneurial businesses from within, rather than as an adviser.”

He continued: “When I came across Knight I was impressed with their entrepreneurial spirit and felt I could offer them another perspective and help them broaden their offering and create opportunities. Alongside my recent fellowship and board roles, Knight is the completing piece of the jigsaw for me.” 

Knight advises its clients on Strategy, Funding, Acquisition and Exit, and has completed over 70 transactions establishing itself as one of the leading corporate finance boutiques in its sector.  The business has a team of nine professionals with offices in London and Warrington.

Paul Billingham, director, Knight CF, said: “In the past eight years, Knight has established itself as a trusted partner to many businesses aiming for acquisition and funding.

“We now wish to further develop as a business and broaden our offering geographically and across industries. Steve, with his wealth of experience and extensive network, is extremely well placed to help us do that. The whole team is very excited about his appointment.”

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KNIGHT Frank Manchester has recruited two key names from Capital Properties to join its property management team.

Anthony Watson and Craig Sackfield, have both joined the firm as partners.

Partner Elaine Duffy, said: “It’s a strategic move on both sides that will combine the flair of Anthony and Craig with the national support and reputation offered by Knight Frank. We are very excited to have them on board.”

Watson was a member of the leadership team of Capital Properties working on the estates of Spinningfields, First Street, and most recently the estate management of New Bailey and City Place for MUSE.

Sackfield joined in 2013 and was appointed managing director following the departure of Mark Burgess last year.

Duffy added: The Property Asset Management team at Knight Frank is growing and we see real scope in what Craig and Anthony can offer current and potential clients. They will help us deliver a tailored and specific approach to property and asset management – exactly what I feel client’s require.”

“They wanted to be associated with a strong brand that has a good reputation and their way of working, supported by our strength and depth of skills and experience, make it the perfect fit.”

The client base includes MUSE, IM Properties, Telford Homes, Poplar Harca and Aston Property Ventures.

Manchester head of office David Porter said: “Anthony and Craig are a proven partnership with a significant client following and they add to our already exciting and exceptional team led by Elaine.
 
“There are very exciting times ahead for property asset management and for the business as a whole in terms of profile and I believe this consolidation of skills will generate more work that will benefit us all.”

Last year Knight Frank nationally demonstrated its property management ambition with the acquisition of Deloitte’s 50 strong PAM team.

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GREATER Manchester-based construction specialist Artez Group has appointed five new members to its team following the acquisition of a range of new contracts in residential and commercial property as well as fit-outs.

Mike Roberts has joined as contracts manager and Steve Barnes as a foreman joiner, while Bernie Darroch and Ian Nuttall join the team as site manager and quantity surveyor respectively, to help deliver Artez’s various new contract wins.
 
The appointments come shortly after Artez Ltd submitted accounts showing a 67% growth in turnover – from £3.5m to £5.1m, year-on-year, while maintaining good profits and growth on the balance sheet.

During this period, Artez also launched Artez Living Ltd and Artez Interiors Ltd to specialise in the low-rise residential market and fit-out opportunities. Artez Group is forecasting its portfolio of contracts to more than double in value year-on-year.
 
In addition, Jordan Redford, who joins the team as assistant estimator will be based in its Bolton office.  

Mike Banton, managing director, said: “We’ve had a period of significant growth and we’re anticipating a further 40 per cent increase in turnover this year. This growth inevitably means more staff on site and in the office.

“We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality schemes with an unrivalled attention to detail, and Mike, Steve, Bernie, Ian and Jordan all bring with them the experience and high standards we’re known for. We’re thrilled to have them on board.
 
“We’ve built some solid new relationships in the property industry across the Northwest – including Peel Holdings, Miller Metcalfe, Ludstone Developments, Novo Group and Inception Holdings – as well as developing existing ones, so the next couple of years are looking to be bigger than ever for us.”   

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