On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Catena Network, the specialist business network that helps like-minded business owners connect to grow or address specific business issues, is expanding again, with the creation of a new Derby & Derbyshire network.
Led by Sarah Wood, the news follows February’s expansion for the network into Leicestershire, headed up by Shaun Whiting.
Wood’s background being appointed sector lead for manufacturing with the CBI and spearheading business development with law firms such as Shakespeare Martineau and Nelsons.
Wood said: “I am proud to be leading Catena into a new county in their 10th anniversary year and to be given the opportunity to grow the network ‘over the border” in Derby & Derbyshire. I have been to many of the Nottingham events over the years and participated in the online events that the team runs and whilst the venues and the topics may differ, the consistent theme is of creating genuine value, and connecting entrepreneurial business leaders.
“That may well be via introductions but it is often through sharing of resources and ideas. I have a manufacturing industry background which is something Derbyshire is rightly proud of as a county and I will also be bringing that expertise into the wider Catena network. However, our events are for anyone seeking to build their business, develop their network and for those who want to help others to do just that. I’m looking forward to driving this forward with a great team.”
Claire Bicknell, who founded Catena in 2013 said: “I can’t quite believe it is our 10th anniversary year much of that time has been putting in place the foundations for the Franchise offering and it’s great to start our next decade with four regions in place, giving us much to build on.
‘That growth has only been possible due to the passion and drive of our regional directors and in Sarah we have another outstanding business figure who has always been keen to drive others forwards and to encourage people to develop their skills, contacts and business acumen.
“Networking, when it is done well and facilitated with skill and care, is a fantastic business skill to acquire and develop with numerous opportunities to be uncovered and developed. Sarah is the perfect person to make that happen in Derbyshire.”
Satyen Shingadia
ThinCats, the Ashby alternative finance provider to mid-sized SMEs, has appointed Satyen Shingadia as director business development healthcare.
Shingadia will work alongside Richard Henshaw, ThinCats’ head of healthcare.
Shingadia is well known within the healthcare funding sector having recently served as relationship director commercial banking at Cynergy Bank for more than three years. Prior to Cynergy, he spent five years as commercial banking manager at Metro Bank.
Shingadia said: “I am delighted to be joining ThinCats as it expands its healthcare team. ThinCats has made a significant impact in funding mid-sized healthcare businesses over the last three years and I look forward to supporting many more businesses in the future.”
Henshaw added: “Satyen joins ThinCats at an exciting time and I am thrilled to have him on board. The UK’s need for healthcare services continues to grow, so it’s important that we support mid-sized operators with the necessary funding to match this increased demand. We have substantial funds to deploy, so look forward to working with Satyen and the rest of the ThinCats healthcare team in support of businesses in the sector.”
