Appointments: Taylor moves to Clearwater; Equisitone & more

MARK Taylor has joined Clearwater Corporate Finance as a partner and head of its debt advisory team in Manchester.
 
Mr Taylor, formerly a banker with RBS for more than 20 years, joins Clearwater from Ernst & Young’s Manchester office.

Commenting on his new challenge, he said: “Historically, the largest source of funding for mid-sized companies in the UK has been from high-street banks.

“More recently, this has proved to be very challenging due to the unpredictable nature of the market. There is, therefore, a specific need for potential borrowers to present themselves in the best possible light and for robust structures to be put in place.   
 
“It is my role to ensure that this is achieved and to ensure that corporates do have in place bespoke debt facilities that recognise the underlying characteristics of their business with appropriate terms and conditions attached– whether to refinance existing debt or for new projects such as mergers, acquisitions or expansion.”

Mike Reeves, managing partner at Clearwater added: “We are pleased to welcome Mark on board to strengthen our debt advisory services, and his appointment reinforces our commitment to provide high quality advice to mid market companies.”

The firm has also boosted its its industrials and chemicals team with the appointment of analyst Julie Brown in Manchester.
 
She joins Clearwater from Grant Thornton’s national research group. In her new role she will also work with alongside partner Constantine Biller on the firm’s newly-launched China Desk, which offers specialist advice to Chinese firms looking to invest in the UK.

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PRIVATE Equity investor Equistone has bolstered its Manchester team with the appointment of Andi Tomkinson as investment director.

Mr Tomkinson joins the firm from the Manchester office of PwC, where he qualified as a chartered accountant and latterly worked as assistant director in the firm’s corporate finance department.
 
At Equistone he will work with head of officeSteve O’Hare on existing portfolio businesses and new investment opportunities.
 
Mr Tomkinson said: “My time at PwC has given me a solid grounding in corporate finance and I am excited to be moving to Equistone, especially following the recent Fircroft transaction. I look forward to working with some of the fantastic portfolio businesses we have and, of course, also assisting with future investments.”
 
Steve O’Hare, head of Equistone’s Manchester office, said: “I am pleased to welcome Andi on board. As our northern portfolio grows, his expertise and experience in corporate finance will be invaluable both for supporting our existing investments and in executing our future strategy.”