On the move: the latest East Midlands hires
Evolution Funding, the used auto finance platform based in Derbyshire, has appointed Mat Hanson as group chief financial officer (CFO), a newly-created position.
Hanson will oversee mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and potential international expansion. He will also oversee key stakeholder and shareholder relationships, including those with investors Carlyle and LDC, as well as banking and debt funding partners.
With over 17 years of experience in financial leadership, Hanson brings CFO expertise in technology-driven and private equity-backed businesses. His prior achievements include leading six strategic international acquisitions and a significant private equity sale at Cawood Scientific, as well as driving financial growth and refinancing at Travel Counsellors.
He said: “I am delighted to join Evolution Funding. The company’s culture, strong values, and impressive track record were key factors in my decision. With Carlyle’s backing and a solid foundation in place, I am confident in the company’s future prospects and look forward to contributing to its continued success.”
Lee Streets, chief executive officer, said: “Mat brings a wealth of experience in leading financial strategies that drive both growth and operational efficiency. His expertise in managing complex acquisitions and his experience with private equity make him an ideal fit for our next phase of growth. We are pleased to welcome him to the team and are confident he will make an immediate and positive impact.”
Dr Rebecca Biddle
Twycross Zoo has announced the promotion of Dr Rebecca Biddle to chief conservation officer.
The brand-new role will see Biddle spearhead the charity’s commitment to being a driving force in global conservation.
With seventeen years of experience in the zoo conservation sector, Biddle began her career in Chester Zoo as a zoo educator, before earning her PhD in Conservation and Ecology from The Manchester Metropolitan University. Alongside her role at Twycross Zoo, she is currently the vice chair of European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) and contributes to numerous international committees and working groups, advocating for the critical role of zoos in conservation efforts worldwide.
Twycross Zoo’s chief executive officer, Craig Dunkerley, said: “Dr Rebecca Biddle has been vital in leading our conservation strategy and I have every faith that she is the right leader for this new role and for our charity.
Biddle said: “Zoos play a crucial role in the conservation of endangered species, and I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Conservation Officer at Twycross Zoo.
“With one million species threatened with extinction due to human activities, zoos have a vital role to play in both protecting species, and in engaging their visitors and communities to support conservation efforts.
“We are a science-led zoo and conservation is at the heart of everything we do. I look forward to continuing this vital work and enhancing the impact we can have both locally and on a global scale.”
