People: Ultimate sales director; Bibby chairman; PM+M; Napthens

ULTIMATE Finance has promoted Richard Waldman to group sales director with immediate effect.
 
The Manchester-headquartered firm recruited Waldman to set up its Scotland operation a year ago, a role that was widened to northern sales director responsible for new business teams in Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds.

He has a strong pedigree in the invoice finance and asset-based lending markets, having worked in commercial finance for more than 20 years for both bank-owned and independent lenders.

He started his career with Royal Bank of Scotland before setting up Cattles Invoice Finance in Scotland. He was pivotal in taking the company from a start-up to an established business with over 120 clients. He also oversaw the transition of the firm into one of Britain’s newest challenger bank, Aldermore.

Waldman said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead and continue to grow the team at Ultimate. We have an impressive track record and I am keen to build further on the good work achieved by the team to ensure we remain the provider of choice for SMEs.

“We’ve a real desire to work closely with our introducers to ensure that we can provide a high level of support to our clients.”

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Bibby Financial Services has appointed Gaurav Batra as chairman as it pursues the next phase of the Bibby Line Group’s governance and leadership development strategy.

The Liverpool-based Bibby Line Group has expanded from its roots in shipping to become a £1.7bn business operating in 20 countries and employing more than 6,000 people.

Batra previously held the position of strategy director at Bibby Line Group and already chairs Garic, the group’s plant hire subsidiary. He joined the group in 2013 having previously worked at Virgin Group in corporate development and strategy.

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PM+M, a chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group with headquarters in Blackburn, has appointed Neil Welsh as its newest financial advisor in the new Burnley office.

Welsh will work with personal and corporate clients, offering advice on all areas of financial planning but with particular emphasis on investments, pensions and retirement.

His arrival comes after PM+M opened a new 2,700 sq ft office on Finsley Gate in Burnley.  

Welsh said: “I am really excited to be joining PM+M. I have been aware of the firm and its growing reputation for a long time and I knew that I would be joining an experienced team with the opportunity of developing its wealth management proposition at the new Burnley office.”

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NAPTHENS has recruited construction and engineering specialist Leigh Child to join its Penrith office.

Child joins the firm as a senior associate from Burnetts in Cumbria. Originally, she qualified as a solicitor in a specialist construction law firm in London.

Child will offer advice on all aspects of construction and engineering projects, from procurement through to completion. She has particular experience advising on large-scale campus redevelopment projects in further and higher education settings, as well as renewable energy projects for rural clients.

Child is the latest high profile appointment for Napthens after well-known local solicitor Kate Mallaband joined to head up the commercial property service in the county.

Litigation solicitor Sian Spencer joined the team earlier in the year after being named one of the top ‘influencers and change makers of the future’ at an awards event for positive female role models.

James Todhunter, Napthens’ head of Cumbria, said: “Leigh’s appointment as our first dedicated construction specialist in the county is a clear sign that Napthens is committed to growing our services in the area.

“Cumbria is key to Napthens’ growth plans and Leigh is a great addition to the team. Between them Leigh, Kate and Sian, along with recent appointments to our private client teams, offer clients in Cumbria access to quality advice across a wide range of services.”