People on the Move: Begbies Traynor; Haydock Finance; Slater Heelis; Trak Global Group; University of Manchester

Senior Manchester-based finance professional Scott Bradley has been appointed by Begbies Traynor to lead its expansion into the commercial finance brokerage market.

Scott was previously regional sales director at commercial finance provider Ultimate Finance in Manchester. He has also held senior posts at Bibby Financial Services and Altus Global Capital.

Scott’s role at Begbies Traynor will be to guide clients across the UK to a range of funding facilities, including short-term finance, invoice factoring, alternative finance and other cashflow options provided by brokers and funders.

Gary Lee, partner at Begbies Traynor in Manchester, said: “In Scott we have appointed someone who is well connected, not only here in the North West but also in the national commercial finance sector. Scott has a first class knowledge of the funding and broker marketplace.

“This senior appointment re-affirms our commitment to clients that we will secure the best deals on finance for them when they are undergoing restructuring, refinancing or other strategic adjustments to their business.”

Scott Bradley added: “I’m delighted to join Begbies Traynor. There is a huge opportunity for more growth in this area of the group’s business. I’m excited by the national footprint Begbies Traynor has in the SME marketplace.

“It means that we’ll be able to connect the right funders and brokers with our clients and continue to grow our network of trusted referral sources and professional contacts. I’m looking forward to building on my existing longstanding relationships in the marketplace and generating new ones.”

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Haydock Finance has named Andy Taylor as sales director.

Andy, who hails from Widnes, has joined Haydock following a career which already spans more than 20 years in asset-based lending. He will report to John Jenkins, Haydock’s chief executive.

Andy’s career in the industry first began with NWS Bank and includes stints with GE Capital Equipment Finance, more than 13 years with ING Lease UK and more recently Hitachi Capital Business Finance where he was head of sales responsible for broker, vendor, block discounting and stock finance.

During his tenure at Hitachi Andy was directly accountable for growing the company’s own book from around £250m to more than £1bn.

In this new post Andy will take responsibility for structuring Haydock’s national sales strategy which will underpin the company’s ambitious growth plans brought about by private equity investment announced in 2018.

Andy Taylor

This strategy will involve driving new client acquisition and advancing capabilities to meet the demands of Haydock’s business growth. They will enhance the offering available to brokers and direct customers using industry specialism and local knowledge.

Capitalising on Haydock’s vast knowledge and experience in asset finance, the company will identify, develop and execute strategic opportunities in structured finance while also building a viable and competitive vendor offering.

John Jenkins said: “We know that Andy’s wealth of expertise, industry knowledge and proven track record will enable him to develop a compelling sales strategy which will support our aggressive growth plans.”

Andy Taylor added: “I am tremendously excited by the challenge ahead to lead a sales team with huge ambitions for growth, whilst recognising and remembering what has historically made Haydock one of the most respected asset finance companies in the UK.”

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Experienced property expert Jonathan Kay has joined the commercial property team at Manchester law firm Slater Heelis.

Kay, 50, was previously a partner at Turner Parkinson which was acquired by Knights last year, and prior to that worked for George Davies for 21 years.

He joins as a partner based at the firm’s Deansgate office and said: “I have always had huge respect for the work of Slater Heelis and would often refer work to them in conflict situations.

Jonathan Kay

“I wanted to find a firm where I knew I could deliver the personal service my clients expect, while being supported by a team with an excellent reputation. My decision to join is a really exciting one.”

Head of commercial property, Will Henson, said: “I am delighted to welcome Jonathan to Slater Heelis and have no doubt that his experience and acumen will further strengthen our growing property team.”

Kay, who lives in south Manchester, has extensive experience in dealing with property funds, particularly those focused on investment in student accommodation, ground rents and the private rented sector.

He also specialises in the financing and refinancing of property deals.

Slater Heelis has offices in Manchester city centre, Sale and Timperley. Key clients include Artisan Investment Group and Landmark Investments Group.

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Leon Hurst has joined Crewe-based Trak Global Group (TGG) to spearhead its international growth plans in the automotive and mobility sectors.

He begins his new role as CEO mobility with immediate effect and will report to group CEO Nick Corrie.

Leon, formerly a commercial officer at automotive SaaS business JATO Dynamics, head of product management for Nokia and head of product marketing (digital & connected car) for Jaguar Land Rover, is the company’s second senior hire since private equity house Three Hills Capital Partners took a minority stake in TGG earlier this month.

According to Nick Corrie, his arrival is a statement of intent from the group to build a dominant position in connected car data solutions in the UK, Europe and North America.

Leon Hurst

Nick said: “Leon is a fantastic addition to our team. He is a rare breed in having international experience at a senior level in both telecoms and automotive – a powerful combination as the level of in-vehicle connectivity continues to grow at a rapid rate and these industries show signs of convergence.

“Leon’s task will be to both deepen existing partnerships among our mobility and auto OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers and develop new ones. There’s an ecosystem of genuine opportunity forming around embedded telemetry and value-adding connected car services, and we believe we are ideally placed to play a pivotal role in helping our customers across insurance and mobility to leverage the value from this.”

Leon said: “Vehicle manufacturers have long acknowledged that there’s inherent value in connected car data for mobility operators and insurers, but there remains the challenge of how to effectively engage and convert the data into value-adding services in adjacent markets.

“Given that the OEMs face more pressing challenges – like completing the journey to electrification, autonomy and the evolution of retail – it’s businesses like Trak Global Group that can bridge the gap and enable all parties to apply connected car data in a practical, commercial, but innovative way.”

Hurst’s appointment follows less than a week after the hiring of Nino Tarantino, former CEO of Octo North America, as CEO of IMS (Americas), to spearhead the group’s international growth plans within the connected and usage-based insurance markets.

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The TV executive described as “the most influential man in British broadcasting” is joining The University of Manchester, after being appointed as an honorary professor of creative industries.

Sir Peter Bazalgette has had a huge influence on television broadcasting here in the UK and around the world.

Working as an outsider to the major established television producers, he helped to drive the development of the booming independent production sector. He has created a number of internationally successful TV formats, and wrote a book on the business of TV entertainment – Billion Dollar Game, Time Warner, 2005.

Sir Peter, who was knighted in 2012 for services to broadcasting, is currently non-executive chairman of ITV.

As well as being the former president of the Royal Television Society, he was previously on the board of Channel 4, chief creative officer of Endemol and deputy chair of the National Film and Television School. He received a Bafta Fellowship in 2000.

He has also been a non-executive director of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, chair of the English National Opera and chair of Arts Council England. He now serves on the advisory boards of YouGov and BBH and chairs the online retailer, Lovecrafts.

Sir Peter Bazalgette

Sir Peter was commissioned by the Government to conduct an independent review into the UK’s creative industries for their Industrial Strategy in 2017. He now sits as a non-executive on the board of UK Research & Innovation.

In his new position at the university, Sir Peter will act as an ambassador for Creative Manchester, deliver an open lecture, engage with students at workshops, and participate in other events.

“I am delighted to accept this honorary professorship,” said Sir Peter.

“Building the pipeline of talent to supply the creative workforce is crucial to ensure the continued success of the sector – one of our fastest growing. I greatly look forward to collaborating with staff and students at The University of Manchester.”

Prof Alessandro Schiesaro, head of the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, said: “Manchester is already recognised as a creative powerhouse, and Peter’s appointment further strengthens our commitment to champion culture and creativity, nurture talent and ensure an equal place on the economic agenda.

“Our students and staff will benefit from his vast experience gained throughout a long and diverse career in the creative industries sector, coupled with his expertise in media, the digital revolution and managing creativity.”