People: Bibby Financial Services; Kemtile; Provenio Litigation; Coolair Equipment; Edwards & Co
Invoice financier, Bibby Financial Services (BFS), has announced the appointment of Derek Ryan as managing director to boost its support for UK SMEs.
Derek joins Liverpool-based BFS with more than 17 years’ experience in commercial finance having held a variety of senior executive, global operations nd strategy positions across the financial services sector, including roles in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Indonesia.
Most recently, Derek was global head of invoice finance at Siemens Financial Services – Commercial Finance where he also spent time as head of global operations and as CEO for Indonesia and CEO for the Nordics.
Jonathan Andrew, global chief executive of Bibby Financial Services, said: “Following a rigorous recruitment process, I’m delighted to welcome Derek to BFS. Attracting an individual with Derek’s skills and experience demonstrates our ambition and I’m confident we will continue to significantly grow our support for UK SMEs with him on board.
“We want to embrace the fourth industrial revolution and digital technology to enhance the entire customer journey for new and existing clients.
“With our new structure and strategy in place, this is an incredibly exciting time for BFS and I look forward to working alongside Derek to drive forward innovative change to support the UK’s economic recovery.”
Derek joins BFS on September 1, 2021 reporting to Jonathan Andrew.
He said: “Growing up being part of a family business in Dublin, I know how important it is for SMEs to partner with organisations that truly understand the challenges and opportunities they encounter. BFS is a hugely innovative business with a fantastic client base and highly engaged, experienced colleagues.
“More than ever SMEs need to partner with financiers that offer more than just funding, and this is what BFS excels at. I’m delighted to join the business at such a pivotal time in its growth trajectory, and look forward to meeting colleagues, clients and intermediary partners alike over the coming weeks.”
In the first half of 2021, BFS saw global client turnover grow by almost a third year-on-year as SMEs around the world began to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
::
Akeel Ahmed is the latest addition to the Warrington-based Kemtile team, having just been appointed as business development manager by the UK hygienic and sterile flooring and Stonhard division.
In his new role Akeel will be responsible for the growth and development of contact with existing customers, as well as identifying and securing new opportunities.
With an enviable background in pharmaceutical flooring, he will also play a key role in strengthening Kemtile’s growing market presence within this global market – highlighting Stonhard’s resin solutions, which are the specification of choice among world-renowned brands such as AstraZeneca, Fusion, Pfizer, Recipharm, Cytiva and Bard Pharmaceuticals.
Also, within his remit, Akeel will be responsible for developing and undertaking Kemtile and Stonhards CPDs in the UK, as well as educating architects, engineers and design companies on the benefits and technicalities of specifying the brand’s products and services.
Having previously worked for another well known manufacturer of resin flooring systems, Akeel brings with him a wealth of experience, contacts and a proven track record in the sector.
Akeel Ahmed
Kemtile national sales manager, David Priest, said: “Akeel’s expertise and approach is already proving to be a great asset to our company, and we’re delighted to welcome him on board. His role here is varied and underpins many areas that we’ve identified as important for future strategic growth and commercial success of the business.
“We wish him all the best in helping both the Kemtile and Stonhard brands to realise our ambitions.”
Akeel said: “I jumped at the opportunity to join such a longstanding and respected business, and I feel that my experience and expertise is particularly relevant and makes me really suited to the role.
“It goes without saying that I’m delighted to join the business and to be playing my part in achieving our ambition to become the single source solution of choice for UK commercial flooring and drainage systems across a wide range of sectors.”
::
Liverpool-based Provenio Litigation has continued its expansion with the appointment of John Smith as head of finance and administration.
John, who has extensive senior level finance experience with publicly listed and private companies, joins from SIP Building Systems in Widnes, where he was FD.
He said: “Provenio is an exciting business with huge potential.
“The firm plays to its strengths as a business litigation practice specialising in high value and complex disputes and is well placed to realise a range of growth opportunities. It’s an exciting time to come on board.”
Mark Goodwin, founder and managing partner at Provenio Litigation, said: “John is an outstanding finance professional and well known to our team as a former client of over 20 years. His input will be of huge benefit as we continue to drive the business forward.”
John Smith
Since its launch in 2019, Provenio Litigation has made giant strides.
Advising on high value, national and international commercial disputes, the firm has attracted business litigation instructions with a combined value in excess of £750m.
Last year, Provenio also launched a £50m fund in partnership with global litigation funder Therium to finance high value claims.
Recent senior level appointments include former Exchange Chambers CEO, Tom Handley as a director of the business, and former DLA Piper head of litigation and regulatory, David Gray as a consultant.
The firm’s progress has also been recognised by the independent legal directories. Provenio is ranked in Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation: Liverpool in the Legal 500.
::
Dukinfield-based Coolair Equipment has appointed Deane Flint to its board of directors.
Deane, former branch president (UK & IRE) of Mitsubishi Electric Europe, joins Coolair as commercial director and will be responsible for delivering and implementing a new nationwide sales programme.
John Otterson, managing director, said: “Coolair Equipment Limited is delighted to appoint Deane to our board of directors.
“We have worked alongside Deane for over 20-years. His skills, network and knowledge of the industry are vast, and his vision aligns exactly with Coolair Equipment Limited’s future plans. This is a very exciting time for everyone at Coolair Equipment Limited.”
Deane spent more than two decades at Mitsubishi Electric, joining as regional sales manager and rising to become the first non-Japanese president of the UK & Ireland branch. He started his career in the HVAC industry in 1981, as a trainee building services design engineer and draughtsman for Government consultancy service, the Property Services Agency.
Deane Flint
He said: “Coolair Equipment Limited were incorporated around the same time as I began my career in HVAC, and we have both been involved in driving the UK market for the last 40 years.
“Aside from their technical expertise and professional reputation, what has always attracted me to Coolair Equipment Limited is their ethos. They are renowned for giving their employees the space to manage themselves and progress through the business, ensuring loyalty among staff and a consistently high standard of service to their customers.
“We both recognise the UK market is going to change dramatically over the next decade and we have already developed a shared strategy to grow Coolair Equipment Limited’s market share in new sectors while consolidating its core activities.”
Deane joins managing director John Otterson, finance director Helen Sharratt and regional director (South) Mark Garstang.
::
Following on from a strong start to 2021, Manchester property advisor Edwards & Co has announced two promotions.
Oliver Woodall and Charlie Powell have both been promoted to associate directors in the agency and building consultancy teams, respectively.
Woodall joined the firm in April 2018, as a surveyor following three years at Avison Young/WHR. Powell, also formerly of Avison Young/WHR, joined in June 2018.
Edwards & Co, founded in 1992, consists of 13 staff members including 10 fee earners. The firm covers a variety of disciplines including agency, investment, lease consultancy and building donsultancy.
Charlie Powell, left, and Oliver Woodall
Despite the challenges faced by many commercial property firms since the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm has advised on numerous projects for a variety of clients such as Helical, Bruntwood, Kennedy Wilson, CERT Property, Deka, RLAM, Aviva and Rothschild & Co.
Alec Williams, director and head of the building consultancy team, said: “We are delighted to be able to promote Charlie within the building consultancy team, which is in recognition of the first class service that Charlie has offered to our clients and the dedication and commitment shown by Charlie over the last three years.
“Our team has continued to go from strength to strength and Charlie has been an integral part in delivering and developing the Edwards & Co services we can provide to our clients. We have a strong track record of delivering on some fantastic fit out projects and professional instructions and look forward to continued success with Charlie on board.”
