People on the move: YFM Equity Partners; The Lead Agency; KPMG; Leigh Day
YFM Equity Partners has announced the appointment of Andy Thomas as investment director.
Based in the Manchester office, Thomas will be focussed on sourcing and leading new investments as part of the Northern team led by David Gee.
Thomas joins from Maven Capital Partners, where he helped to establish the Greater Manchester Loan Fund as well as undertaking private equity and VCT investments.
Prior to Maven, Thomas worked at RBS in various structured finance roles, most recently leading the Williams and Glyn Corporate Transactions Team.
David Hall, managing director of YFM, said:“Andy has considerable experience successfully originating and executing new deals and subsequently managing these investments.
“Opportunities for UK investment are steadily growing, as evidenced by the recent close of our first buy-out fund, YFMEP 2016; Andy is a great addition as we continue to strengthen the YFM team to harness such investments.”
Thomas added: “YFM has an impressive footprint in the private equity and VCT market and I am delighted to be joining the team to help further grow the firm’s portfolio.
“The market is rife with businesses looking to develop their potential and I look forward to sourcing the most promising opportunities and leading these investments.”
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Customer acquisition specialist The Lead Agency has appointed John Martin as head of renewables as it looks to extend its presence in the sector.
The fast-growing technology business has doubled the size of its team to more than 100 people over the last year, recruiting across roles in digital marketing, content, design and development – at its headquarters in Liverpool as well as operations in London and the US.
Martin has been appointed with a remit to develop and grow the company’s renewables division and develop strategies for helping homeowners in their search for the right solution.
He arrives from SolarKing UK, where he held the role of head of marketing and managed the company’s direct sales strategy.
“I believe renewable energy represents significant potential for growth in the coming years,” Martin said.
“I am excited about the prospect of combining my experience and market knowledge with The Lead Agency’s cutting edge technology and talent to elevate customer acquisition in this sector.”
Anton Hanley, managing director of The Lead Agency, said: “John is another great addition to the team and brings with him extensive knowledge of the renewable energy market and the buying process of homeowners considering solar power.
“He will be working closely with our partners within the sector to generate quality opportunities to grow their businesses.”
Martin is the latest in a succession of senior appointments at The Lead Agency, including Tom White as managing director of automotive and former Rippleffect duo Keith Price and Neil Cosgrove, who joined as brand manager and programme manager respectively.
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KPMG’s Manchester office senior partner Jon Holt has been appointed as head of the professional service giant’s financial services business in the UK.
Chris Hearld, chairman of KPMG in the North, said: “Jon has contributed massively to the success we have enjoyed across the North in recent years, and his promotion to our UK executive committee is a reflection of the fantastic work being done by him and the whole team in Manchester.
“Jon will take up his new post from October 1st and in the meantime, will continue to lead the Manchester office while we appoint his successor. We are fortunate to have a number of strong candidates for the position and the process is already underway.”
Holt added: “I am so proud to have led the Manchester office over the last four years. Having worked in a number of KPMG offices both in the UK and internationally, I know we have something incredibly special here.
“I am particularly proud to have seen so many colleagues progress through the organisation and I am reminded daily of the talented and committed people we have within our Manchester team who work so hard for our clients and our communities.
“Manchester is a unique and wonderful city. The collaboration between its business and civic leaders, and its aspirations as a dynamic forward-thinking city are unrivalled. I am fortunate to have been able to play a part in it.”
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Law firm Leigh Day has strengthened its specialist cycling injury team with the appointment of solicitor Jane Bedford-McLaren.
She joins Leigh Day’s Manchester office after 10 years representing injured claimants at JMW Solicitors, focusing mainly on cycling injury cases.
She has worked in the personal injury sector since qualifying as a solicitor in 2006 after completing her training contract at Horwich Farrelly Solicitors, also in Manchester.
A keen cyclist herself, she has used her insight and in-depth knowledge of this area of law to specialise in helping people who have been injured whilst riding their bikes.
She has acted for cyclists injured in a range of accidents, including; collisions with vehicles or potholes, crashes caused by ice on the road and injury caused by mechanical failure.
Bedford-McLaren said: “For many people – myself included – cycling is more than just a means of transport and it is important to ensure that clients do not lose this important part of their lives.
“My main goal at the outset of any claim is to assist clients in getting back on their bikes; whether that is by accessing the appropriate rehabilitation for their physical injuries, arranging for the bike and accessories to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible, or obtaining psychological support for those who have lost confidence in cycling after a collision.”
Andrew Bradley who heads Leigh Day’s Manchester office, said “We represent members of British Cycling and British Triathlon, so it’s important that our solicitors understand their particular needs.
“The fact that Jane is a keen cyclist herself, combined with her in-depth knowledge and experience of representing injured riders will be invaluable.”
