Appointments: LDC hires two; FD for ServicePower; Elaine O’Donnell & more

PRIVATE equity house LDC has strengthened its Manchester team with the hire of two new investment directors.

Richard Ibbett has spent nearly 10 years in corporate finance advisory and joins from Deloitte, while Chris Wright was previously with Rothschild.

LDC’s North West portfolio comprises 12 businesses with combined turnover of nearly £700m and employing 3,000 people.

Jonathan Bell, director and co-head of LDC in the North West, said: “Richard and Chris are stand-out corporate finance professionals who join the team with a wealth of experience in supporting some of the most high profile private equity transactions in the North.

“Their expertise will be integral as we look to build on our momentum in 2014 and expand our thriving portfolio.”

::

AIM-listed, Stockport field management software company ServicePower Technologies, has appointed Tajinder Sandhu as finance director.

Mr Sandhu joins ServicePower from NCC Education, a leading UK Awarding Body specialising in business and IT, where he was the finance director with duties spanning the UK, Malaysia, South Africa and China.

Marne Martin, chief executive at ServicePower Technologies said: “As reported in our recent trading update, ServicePower has been successful in driving revenue growth in the year to-date, and we are focussed on delivering improved operating margins, providing a strong financial footing for the future and for delivering sustained growth.

“Tajinder will be a valuable addition to ServicePower as the Company executes on this plan.”

::

ELAINE O’Donnell, who left EY in Manchester last year where she was a corporate finance partner, has joined listed fantasy toy manufacturer Games Workshop as a non-executive director.

Mrs O’Donnell, 43, has joined the board of the Nottingham company with immediate effect. She spent 15 years with the accountancy firm, and was a partner for seven years.

Games Workshop, which makes fantasy miniature figures including the Warhammer characters, has direct sales operations in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Italy and Japan as well as the UK. With around 70% of sales coming from outside of the UK.

::

STEPHEN Bell has joined planning consultant Turley Associates as a director in its Manchester office. 

Bell joins after 14 years at GVA where he headed the Manchester planning business. 

He has expertise in a range of sectors including residential, renewable energy, healthcare and commercial development.

Office director Dave Trimingham said: “He is a highly respected figure in planning consultancy in the North West with a proven track record in delivering major projects. Stephen’s experience will complement and strengthen what is already the leading team in the region.”

::

ASSET valuation and recovery specialist Winterhill Largo has appointed Tom Snook as a graduate surveyor in  Manchester.

Mr Snook joins the firm’s Deansgate offices after graduating from Reading University with a degree in real estate management.

Chief executive Neil Duckworth said: “Our property team is going from strength to strength right now, with growing demand from clients across all sectors for our portfolio of consultancy, valuation, management and disposal services.”