People: Trio of funding specialists join advisory firm; Law firm appoints new commercial partner; and more

BTG Advisory, a division of Begbies Traynor Group, has appointed a trio of funding specialists, David Smithies, Stephen Couldwell and Andy Chaffer, to its corporate solutions team.

Smithies, Couldwell and Chaffer will work with banks and professionals to help businesses across the North to access unsecured lending, in partnership with European credit specialist Caple.

Smithies has over 35 years’ corporate and commercial banking experience as a banking relationship director with NatWest, working with a portfolio of businesses across a range of industries.

Couldwell also has relationship and bank lending experience having worked for RBS for more than 30 years. He was latterly involved in providing a customer perspective to regulatory change across the industry.

Both Smithies and Couldwell will be based in the BTG Advisory office in Leeds.

Chaffer also has a track record in the financial sector having held a number of roles including as a business development manager for funders and as an investment manager. He also spent more than five years as an entrepreneur coach for MBA students at Leeds University Business School. He will be based at the firm’s Hull office.

The trio will be working with banks, businesses and other intermediaries to facilitate access to long term, fully unsecured loans of £500,000 – £5m and terms of five to eight years.

Karl Hodson, director – of the corporate solutions within BTG Advisory, said: “It’s fantastic to have three such experienced funding specialists joining the team. They will help us work with banks and professional advisers to identify well-established, profitable businesses which have a gap in their finances and could benefit from the unsecured loans enabled by Caple.

“Caple’s offer is unique in that it is genuinely unsecured and offers long-term loans at fairly priced rates for significant sums. Our aim is to work alongside banks to find successful businesses which the banks are already supporting, but which need additional funding whether for business expansion, working capital, investment in plant and machinery or even for an acquisition.

“As independent advisers, we can help verify that the business meets the loan’s criteria. We will then put together a financial model behalf of the client.”

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Law firm Ison Harrison has recruited a new commercial partner to head up its corporate division.

Richard Coulthard joins Ison Harrison’s expanding regional team having previously been a Director at Oakwood Solicitors and Oakwood Property Solicitors.

As the firm’s new Partner and Head of Corporate, Coulthard’s role will see him growing the firm’s Corporate and Commercial offering whilst also co-ordinating numerous departments including commercial property, commercial litigation and employment, working closely with individual divisional heads.

He has worked across many industry sectors having previously advised national financial institutions, car manufacturers and an international pharmaceutical company. He has specialist experience of assisting SMEs and owner managed businesses to achieve success through strong legal support and compliance.

Coulthard said: “I’ve joined Ison Harrison at a crucial time as it continues to go from strength to strength representing clients both regionally and nationally. I’m relishing the opportunity of building on this ongoing success by putting my corporate experience to great use for new and existing clients and helping to extend the firm’s outstanding reputation to the corporate arena.”

Coulthard will be based at the firm’s head office in Leeds city centre helping to co-ordinate a group-wide approach to commercial matters.

Jonathan Wearing, managing partner, said: “Richard’s appointment is a major coup for the firm and underpins our commitment to growing the business in 2019, building on the momentum of 2018. Our aim is to enhance our corporate and commercial offering to private clients and really harness the expertise that the team across our network of thirteen regional offices can provide.

“Richard brings a wealth of experience across a wide range of legal areas such as corporate and commercial law, litigation and dispute resolution and associated employment related issues.

“His extensive knowledge means he is well equipped to advise businesses of all sizes on the many legal issues they can face on a daily basis. The appointment is a major asset as we move forward with our growth strategy, adding a further dimension to the overall service offering.”

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Law firm Keebles’ Doncaster-based commercial property team has announced the appointment of senior associate Wendy Martin and solicitor Holly Langman.

Martin brings over two decades of legal expertise to the department which deals with wide-ranging property transactions and acts for property developers and investors with large property portfolios.

Keebles’ 25-strong commercial property team delivers services from offices in Doncaster, Sheffield and Leeds.

Operating from the firm’s town centre offices on Prince’s Street, the Doncaster recruits complement the recent appointment of partner Paul Russell whose extensive experience spans areas including property taxation and investor advice.

Clients include Harworth Group, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, St. Pauls Developments PLC and Crossbow Investments.

Paul Goel, Keebles partner who is based at Doncaster, said: “Our strong reputation precedes us and we’re delighted to have Wendy and Holly on board as we expand our client portfolio and continue to go from strength to strength.”

Richard Smith, head of Keebles’ commercial property department, added: “We wish Wendy and Holly every success. The collective expertise of our department is second to none as we continue to attract top talent and develop the next generation of lawyers.”   

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Berwins, the Harrogate and Leeds-based law firm, has appointed a new Solicitor to head up its Court of Protection team.

Dan Snedden, who brings with him just under 10 years of experience in Court of Protection work, will focus on supporting the representatives of individuals who are no longer able to manage their own personal and financial affairs.

Gareth Marland, Director and Berwins’ Head of Life, said: “Dan’s appointment is a significant development for the team and highlights our commitment to ensuring complete legal support for individuals including those acting for people who need help to manage their finances.

“Whilst more and more people are making Lasting Powers of Attorney to appoint people they trust, for some people it’s too late. For others, they don’t have anyone they trust or in some cases the attorney is restricted in what they can do – for example making gifts or updating the incapable person’s Will.

“It is in these situations that a Court of Protection application must be made and the addition of Dan as a specialist in this field substantially enhances Berwins’ capacity to support and care for clients in this position.”

Snedden added: “I’m delighted to have joined such an established Yorkshire firm. With a focus rooted in care for clients and work carried out, the Berwins approach is one which sits close to my own and I’m excited to be part of such a vibrant and growing team.”

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Westfield Health, the Sheffield-based health and wellbeing provider, has appointed Diane Cheesebrough to the Board as Non-Executive Director.

Cheesebrough joins Westfield Health with over 20 years’ experience as a business leader, with a proven international track record in Member, PE, SME, PLC and Public Sector organisations.

With a background in financial services, her corporate experience involves leading in significant financial, sales, operational and technology businesses, operating at different levels of maturity, growth and change.

Cheesebrough said: “In today’s world with workplace related stress, illness and mental health issues becoming a bigger concern than ever, health and wellbeing support has never been more paramount for businesses.

“I look forward to supporting Westfield Health and its sterling reputation, friendly staff and charitable ethos. It’s an exciting time to join the business and it will be extremely rewarding to contribute to their mission.”

Graham Moore, Chairman at Westfield Health, added: “We are all delighted to have Diane join us. She is extremely talented and her experience as a business leader will prove invaluable to both our customers and the team.

“It’s a dynamic time for Westfield Health and Diane’s appointment is another step in the right direction to becoming the UK’s go-to provider for health and wellbeing.”

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