On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Leicester-based WBR Group (WBR), a provider of SSAS services and tax experts, has announced the appointment of Julie Sebastianelli as a non executive director.
Sebastianelli brings experience in the high net worth (HNW) sector and will play a role in enhancing the strategic direction of WBR Group.
She has held a number of senior roles within the financial services industry, such as Deloitte and Brown Shipley
She was also a shareholder and board director at Hurley Partners, and most recently, a wealth management director at Mattioli Woods, a position she held until April 2024.
Sebastianelli’s expertise spans SIPP and SSAS pensions, complex financial planning, inheritance tax (IHT) and estate planning, and a wide range of tax related areas.
Renowned for her ability to simplify complex financial matters, she has earned a reputation for delivering trustworthy guidance in clear, understandable terms that resonate with clients.
Tom Moore, CEO, WBR Group said: “We are really pleased to welcome Julie to our Board. She is already well-known to many of the team here and her exceptional track record and expertise in wealth management and financial planning will be invaluable as we strive to enhance our service offerings and continue our growth trajectory. Julie’s ability to communicate complex financial strategies in a way that clients can easily understand aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering unparalleled client service.”
Sebastianelli said: “I am excited to join WBR Group at such a pivotal time in the company’s growth. The opportunity to contribute to a firm that shares my commitment to client centric, transparent service is one that I greatly value. I look forward to working with the Board and the management team, leveraging my experience to help drive WBR Group’s strategic objectives forward.”
Eric DeArmitt joined Optimum Finance as the regional director for the Midlands at the beginning of the year.
With a wealth of experience in funding, confidential invoice discounting and asset-based lending facilities, with deals requiring up to £10m in working capital, DeArmitt has made his mark by helping a diverse range of businesses secure liquidity, many of which were new to Invoice Finance.
Eric DeArmitt
In a career spanning more than 20 years, he has worked for some of the best-known Invoice Finance brands, building his knowledge and his contact base.
He was particularly excited to join Optimum Finance because of its reputation in the industry for the speed, rigour and flexibility of its decision making, and close working relationship with key brokers and intermediaries.
He said: “As an industry, there is much more to be done to introduce invoice finance to SMEs that need it most. At Optimum, we don’t just stop at funding, we have a real passion behind seeing businesses thrive. Our can-do attitude and streamlined processes ensure that we’re able to identify the right solution quickly for our clients.”
Iain Hendry, national head of sales of Optimum Finance, said: “Eric’s experience and proactive approach combined with our industry leading systems and processes will help us reach even more of the region’s SMEs with a product that can truly transform a business and its operation.”
