People: Private equity firm promotes; New MD for mechatronics specialist; and more

Richard Thomas, who heads Palatine Private Equity’s Birmingham office, has been promoted to senior investment director.

Thomas joined Palatine in 2015 to help set up the Midlands office. Since then, he has acted on three deals, including TTC, CET UK, and Westleigh Partnerships, which was sold last year for a 3 x return.

Gary Tipper, managing partner at Palatine Private Equity, said: “These promotions not only recognise the individual talent within Palatine; they demonstrate the progression the firm has made over the course of 2018. It proved to be an important year for us, with two of our largest exits in Westleigh Partnerships and WHP Telecoms, as well as investments in CET UK and Estio. We are looking forward to the year ahead, as we remain committed to partnering with high-growth, entrepreneurial businesses.”

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Brose, a mechatronics specialist to the automotive sector, has appointed a new managing director.

Steve Wilkins, an industry specialist with more than 30 years’ experience, has taken over at its two Coventry plants in Colliery Lane and Foleshill.

Wilkins said he will work with the company’s management team to continue to improve quality and maximise operational efficiency, giving the business a strong platform to manage the current uncertainty being seen in the UK automotive industry in the lead-up to Brexit.

“I’m really excited to be taking over in Coventry again after holding the same position over 10 years ago, helping it move through the global slowdown of 2009 and setting it up for the major growth we have seen in recent years,” said Wilkins, who has been with Brose since 2002.

“We hit some major production milestones in 2018, including the 2 millionth seat structure for JLR and over 4.6 million window regulators for three leading car makers, supplying 17 different models across 20 global plants.”

He continued: “This has been possible thanks to the investment in laser welding capabilities, a state-of-the-art paint plant that allows us to control a vital process and a strong commitment to developing our processes and our people…the latter are still our most valuable asset.

“The challenge going forward will be to support our customers as they evolve to meet fluctuating global demand and work through a period of uncertainty brought on by the diesel debate and a lack of clarity around current negotiations. We are in a good position to do just that.”

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Galliford Try Partnerships has promoted Sian Pitt to sales director for the East Midlands, West Midlands and North West.

Pitt’s promotion follows the recent hire of a head of legal, Emma Hunt who supports the Midlands businesses and the promotion to associate commercial director, Jema Moorcroft who works for the West Midlands business.

James Warrington, regional managing director for the Partnerships business, said: “Sian has done an outstanding job leading our North-West sales team and I needed to spread her knowledge and expertise across the other business units which she now covers. I’m proud that our continued growth has allowed me to expand our Sales teams and to create new opportunities for advancement within the business.”