Appointments: NorthEdge’s Plumb hire & more
PRIVATE equity firn NorthEdge Capital, the Manchester-based mid-market investment firm focused on the North, has strengthened its team with the appointment of Ian Plumb as portfolio director.
Plumb joins NorthEdge from Endless, where he worked from 2007 as an investment professional, before taking on the role of portfolio director. Plumb has significant experience in all aspects of private equity exits, business transformations, acquisitions and refinancing projects.
At NorthEdge, Ian will also oversee the progress of the firm’s growing portfolio.
He said: “NorthEdge has an excellent track record and is one of the best-known private equity houses in the region. The firm has a broad portfolio across a range of sectors and my priority will be primarily managing and supporting these existing relationships. This will allow for increased focus on value generation within the portfolio as NorthEdge continues to invest in and build businesses across the North.”
Grant Berry, managing partner at NorthEdge added: “We are extremely happy to welcome Ian to the NorthEdge team at a time when prospects for businesses in the North are so strong. Ian can draw on an excellent range of skills and experience and his appointment highlights our continued commitment to providing excellent services to our portfolio businesses.”
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INVESTMENT firm Infinity Asset Management has appointed Dave Furlong as a partner to manage its new debt fund.
The initial £50m fund will provide debt funding of around £2m to £10m to support profitable businesses seeking to create and/or accelerate sustainable growth.
Furlong has 15 years’ senior banking experience at HSBC Bank plc, where he was most recently head of leveraged finance for the North West, and Lloyds Bank plc, where he led and originated transactions as a director of the acquisition finance business.
He said: “There is a significant appetite for this type of debt funding among ambitious companies, and particularly so within the regional market. However, to date there has been either insufficient or inconsistent supply in order to meet this need.”
Daniel Finestein, chief executive of Infinity, added: “Hiring Dave is a real coup for the business and we’re proud to have such a respected talent on board. He clearly understands our future direction within the market and has the ideal skill set to work with us to bring this to fruition.”
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WENDY Meredith has been appointed as Greater Manchester’s first ever director of Population Health Transformation.
Working closely with healthcare bosses and senior council officials, Meredith will play a major role in overseeing the change in approach to health and social care across the city region, with regional authorities preparing to take control of a £6bn NHS and social care budget.
The appointment follows a unique agreement in July to create a united, single leadership for public health across Greater Manchester – to focus on preventative and targeted work to help 2.8 million people stay healthy, able to work and have better family life.
Meredith, who is the current director of public health for Bolton Council and chairs the Greater Manchester Directors of Public Health Group, brings a wealth of experience to the position after working in the healthcare sector for more than 30 years.
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BEBINGTON Glazing has welcomed a new administrator to its expanding team as part of continued company growth.
After successfully completing a 12-month apprenticeship at the Wirral-based firm, Alisha McGraa, 18, has been appointed to assist managing director Kay Finlay and the team in the day-to-day office management.
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NORTH West law firm Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers has appointed Keith Kennedy as head of its corporate commercial team.
Kennedy joins Pearson from Manchester firm Berg and has more than 14 years’ experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer.
He has a strong reputation within the North West business community and particular experience in the telecoms, software, manufacturing and retail sectors.
Kennedy said: “I am delighted to have joined Pearson. The firm has a great client base and offers a full range of high quality legal services to the North West business community and beyond, combining traditional values with a modern approach. Pearson’s ability to provide bespoke financial services, in addition to those legal services, gives it an edge over many of its competitors.”
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EAST Lancashire-based Denwa has recruited Mark Boden as head of enterprise sales.
Boden was head hunted by Barrowford company Denwa and is now responsible for growing its enterprise division and developing its customer base further.
He will identify new opportunities and will provide tailored Cloud and IT solutions for each customer, focusing on the higher end Mitel system portfolio.
Denwa sales director Chris Porter said: “Mark will be a great asset to the team, and with his extensive knowledge and experience in the field, we look forward to seeing him drive our enterprise sales to new heights.”
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ONE Vision Housing, part of the Sovini Group in Merseyside, has appointed Ann Owens as head of councillor liaison.
In this new role, Ann who has moved from another role within the organisation, is responsible for building on existing and developing new relationships between One Vision Housing and local ward councillors; ensuring effective communication and partnership working, and assisting councillors in delivering local services to individuals and communities in their respective wards and surrounding areas.
She said: “By strengthening our existing relationships will local ward councillors, we should have a better understanding of what the local people expect from us as a landlord, and more insight to make improvements and invest in the communities in which they live.”
