People: MAF Finance Group; Thincats; BAKO Group
Two healthcare finance experts that have arranged more than £500m of funding for the sector have been appointed as new directors at MAF Finance Group (MAF).
The appointments of Jonathan Thompson as senior director of healthcare and John Anderson as director of healthcare is part of the ambitious growth strategy for the national finance broker following its acquisition by Begbies Traynor Group earlier this year.
Both directors have a large amount of experience, with Thomspon having over 40 years’ banking experience in senior healthcare roles at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Barclays, and Anderson over 15 years’ corporate banking experience, beginning with Bank of Scotland Corporate before spending 11 years at Barclays as a healthcare relationship director.
MAF director, Dave Chapman, said: “Having both Jonathan and John join MAF at this crucial stage of our growth is really important for us.
“With these new appointments, we are well on the way to creating one of the premier healthcare teams in the UK and with the help of Begbies Traynor Group, we are building a strong future for MAF and the businesses we help to grow.”
Talal Malghani, Thincats’ director of corporate development
Alternative finance provider ThinCats has appointed Talal Malghani as director of corporate development.
Malghani joins from the NatWest Markets FIG Advisory Team, where he spent three years covering the UK and European specialist lending sector.
Thincats managing director Ravi Anand said: “Following our recent announcement of the investment from Wafra Capital Partners which will enable us to lend a further £2bn, we are keen to keep up the momentum and continue to drive forward in the provision of funding to mid-sized businesses across the UK. Talal’s appointment will be key in supporting this effort.”
Malghani added: “ThinCats has a distinct proposition in the UK mid-sized SME sector that is enabled by an unbeatable combination of market leading analytics, strong origination and robust underwriting capabilities demonstrable by an excellent track record.”
David Yates and Mike Tully of BAKO Group
Managing director of Derbyshire-based Luke Evans Bakery, David Yates, has been elected chairperson of bakery products distributor BAKO Group.
BAKO is a leading supplier of bakery products and ingredients – servicing customers throughout the United Kingdom, with business units in Durham (BAKO Northern & Scotland), Preston (BAKO North Western) and Wimbledon (BAKO South Eastern).
Yates has served on the board since January 2018 and as deputy chairperson since December 2019.
He said: “The coming years present many challenges but also many reasons for huge optimism for the bakery industry. As the world and the industry recovers from the impact of Covid-19, I am really excited and honoured to have been elected as chairperson of BAKO and look forward to a bright future of innovation, diversification and positive change for the benefit of our members, partners, customers and colleagues across the baking industry.”
