Lloyds strengthens Liquidity Advisory team

LLOYDS Bank Commercial Banking has bolstered its Liquidity Advisory team in the West Midlands with the appointment of a new director to support the growth ambitions of large corporate businesses in the region.

Jon Szabo is one of four new directors to join the now nine-strong team, which provides strategic advice to businesses with annual turnovers in excess of £25m.

Szabo will work with companies in the West Midlands, and his appointment follows an increase in demand from large corporate businesses for support that will help them to utilise their working capital to capitalise on growth opportunities.

David Brunton, Head of Liquidity Advisory at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Mid-sized businesses and large corporates play an instrumental role in the continued resurgence of the UK economy, and with rising business confidence now is the time many companies are looking to accelerate their growth strategies.

“We work closely with businesses to help them reach a sensible balance between investing their cash surpluses and retaining money to maintain liquidity, and Jon’s appointment has brought further knowledge and experience to the team to help provide businesses with tailored funding solutions.”

New partner for IP firm HGF

INTELLECTUAL property firm HGF, which has a new office in Birmingham, has appointed Mike Nelson as a new partner.

Nelson, left, joined the firm last year to strengthen its offering in the pharmaceuticals and chemistry teams, having worked previously at AstraZeneca.

HGF has seen strong growth over the last few years, underlined by new office openings and the acquisition of trade mark firm Grant Spencer.

Andrew Wells, head of the pharmaceutical team, said: “Mike has really impressed the partnership with his dedication to clients and the expertise he brings to their portfolio. We are delighted he is joining the partnership and see a great future for him and us.”

HGF has 10 offices in the UK: Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Birmingham, Oxford, Manchester, Sheffield and York.

EFG feeling charitable with new appointment

FINANCIAL adviser Simon Williams has joined the Birmingham and Wolverhampton offices of EFG Independent Financial Advisers as a specialist in financial planning for the charity sector.

His role will be to develop and communicate EFG’s strategic help for charities, not only on their investment strategies but also on key issues such as their banking relationships, use of short term reserves and developing contingency plans around key individuals and projects.  

He said: “EFG’s new services to charities are aimed at helping trustees to maximise the efficiency of their organisations’ finances and investments at a time when many charities are facing challenging operating conditions.”

EFG IFA managing director John Male said: “Simon has joined to promote the benefits of consulting with an independent expert who can provide an unbiased view when reviewing financial planning and investment issues.”

Williams was formerly with a Hagley financial services firm and has been advising a number of regional charities for several years.