People: Time Finance; Kinaxia Logistics; Institute of Directors; Sigma Capital Group
Time Finance has appointed Jake Bebbington as business development manager to drive its commercial loan offering in the North of England.
The newly-created role is reflective of the firm’s commitment to providing funding solutions that inspire growth and prosperity to UK SMEs across the nation, it says.
Jake joins Time Finance with more than 10 years’ industry experience, having spent much of his career helping businesses access the funding they need to drive their business forward. In his new role, he will be responsible for expanding Time Finance’s secured and unsecured commercial loan offerings alongside the Government-backed Recovery Loan Scheme of which Time Finance is an accredited lending partner.
Working closely with financial intermediaries, Jake will offer their business owner clients a flexible source of funding to support current and future plans – from stabilising cashflow to fuelling expansion.
Jake said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining Time Finance. There’s definite momentum in the market with investment high on the agenda and many business owners looking for cashflow funding solutions to help capitalise on new opportunities. Stepping up to this new role presents a great opportunity to drive support through our commercial loan offering.”
Time Finance specialises in the provision or arrangement of funding solutions to UK businesses seeking to access the finance they need to realise their growth plans. As the market continues to improve, Time Finance is confident that the business is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that should arise over the coming months and beyond.
Sharon Bryden, director of commercial loans and ABL at Time Finance, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jake to Time Finance as we continue to expand our team and bring great talent into the business. He will undoubtedly be a great addition and support us in our efforts to help more businesses bring their growth plans to life.”
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Kinaxia Logistics has appointed Neil Ashworth to its board to support the development and roll-out of its digitalisation strategy.
Neil has more than 25 years’ board level experience in the logistics, supply chain, retail and e-commerce industries, with a track record of helping companies and organisations remain at the forefront of market innovation and transform their operations into the digital era.
He is a former chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport and in a recent role was the director of delivery channels for the Department of Health and Social Care’s COVID-19 testing programme across the UK.
Before that post he was chief strategy officer and chief commercial officer at Yodel Delivery Network and chief executive of Collect+. He previously also held senior roles at companies including Tesco and Woolworths.
Neil Ashworth
Currently Neil is non executive chairman of private equity-backed e-commerce fulfilment specialist Selazar, a non executive director of global healthcare supplies business 2San Global and an adviser to product data technology business IVIS Group.
Kinaxia chief executive, Simon Hobbs, said: “Neil brings a great deal of experience to our board, both from a supply chain and retail perspective, and will help us refine and implement the digitalisation of the business.
“I look forward to working closely with Neil and benefiting from his proven expertise.”
Neil said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Kinaxia Logistics as they build on their already impressive journey to create a leading force in the UK logistics market.
“My experience complements the capabilities of the existing team, and I look forward to working closely with Simon to drive future growth as a non executive on the board of directors, which reinforces and highlights the board’s commitment to promoting good corporate governance.”
Kinaxia employs more than 1,600 staff across its businesses and has a fleet of more than 800 vehicles which transport goods for supermarkets and other retailers as well as the leisure, food and drink and manufacturing sectors.
Headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Kinaxia offers contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management and storage services from its nationwide warehouse facilities.
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The Institute of Directors has strengthened its Manchester team with the appointment of Danny Clarke.
Danny is commercial director of the National Federation of Builders, with responsibility for the growth and retention of membership.
He joins the IoD Manchester leadership team as an ambassador. IoD ambassadors drive greater connectivity with members, support learning and development and give a local voice to the Institute, while ensuring that IoD national policy reflects local issues.
Danny Clarke
Danny has held commercial and operational posts in the public sector as well as board level roles across industries including construction. His early career included spells as a train operator, holiday rep and the youngest branch secretary of RMT transport union.
He is a mentor for organisations including the Business Growth Hub, The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and TechMcr. Danny is also an advocate of networking through hiking.
Danny said: “My biggest passion is for people, whether through health, safety and wellbeing or championing equality and diversity. I want to help people to develop and grow to meet their life ambitions. The IoD prides itself on helping directors to connect and develop professionally so our values are closely aligned.”
Debbie Francis, chair of IoD Manchester, said: “Danny is an outstanding addition to our team of branch ambassadors in Manchester. His knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset as we plan and develop our calendar of online and in person events for 2022 and beyond.”
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Private rental sector (PRS) and Build to Rent (BTR) residential and urban regeneration specialist, Sigma Capital Group, has strengthened its team with four new appointments across Manchester, London and Edinburgh, taking its full UK team head count to 50.
Following Sigma’s acquisition by pan-European private equity specialist, PineBridge Benson Elliot, in June 2021, for almost £200m, the next phase of growth will see Sigma deliver circa 15,000-20,000 new rental homes over the next five years. With an acceleration of this scale there is a requirement for more employees in all key areas, as well as on-site acquisitions.
Laura Pitcher
Laura Pitcher and Danielle Toal both join the team in legal counsel roles, based in Manchester and Edinburgh, respectively. Laura’s most recent appointment was property solicitor for national social housing provider, The Riverside Group. In her new role at Sigma, Laura will support the senior legal counsel with property-focused legal work particularly focusing on Sigma’s sites in the regions.
In Edinburgh, Danielle will be dealing with the corporate law and banking requirements across all of Sigma’s interests including its own balance sheet, The PRS REIT plc and London BTR Investments, a joint venture between Sigma and EQT Exeter, working closely with property law-focused colleagues to deliver the necessary development and investment debt needed to ensure the success and future sustainable growth of the group.
Mark Nicklin
Mark Nicklin joins Sigma as site inspector, based in Manchester, but with a remit to travel the whole of the UK to all site locations. Mark joins the business from a contracts manager role at Taylor Wimpey.
Rob Mitchell will be based in Sigma’s London office as an investment and acquisitions graduate. Rob’s main responsibilities are to assist in expanding Sigma’s regional portfolio through the acquisition of various sites within the southern regions, as well as maintaining and managing relationships with existing partnerships.
Sigma chief executive, Graham Barnet, said: “These roles are all vital to our business as we continue to grow significantly. Since our acquisition earlier this year, the pace has increased exponentially, and this, along with the investment in the business, has meant that we can continue to expand across the whole of the UK with a number of new appointments.”
