Thomas set to unlock further growth at Key Capital

INDEPENDENT private equity house Key Capital Partners has promoted Richard Thomas to investment director in its Birmingham office.

Thomas joined KCP in 2010 after eight years at Grant Thornton, where he advised on M&A and private equity transactions across a broad spectrum of sectors. He is a chartered accountant and has a degree in accounting and finance from the London School of Economics.

Thomas will continue to support the firm’s managing partner Owen Trotter, playing a key role in deal origination and execution whilst supporting the development of KCP’s portfolio companies.

Key deals that Thomas has worked on include the £2m investment into Birmingham-based glass processor Mi Glass, the £6.5m investment into NursePlus, which provides staffing solutions to the healthcare sector, and the £4.3m investment into Templine, a temporary recruitment business based in Birmingham.  

Thomas said: “It has been a pleasure working with Owen and the team at KCP and working with some of the fastest-growing businesses in the Midlands and the rest of the UK. I am looking forward to leading my own deals and supporting our existing portfolio businesses across a number of sectors.”
 
Trotter added: “Richard has become an invaluable member of the KCP team since joining the Birmingham office in 2010, both on the deals front and with our portfolio companies. His promotion is well deserved and means he will be taking more of the lead on transactions in the future.”

New chairman for ICAEW

THE ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty has appointed Giles Derry, partner at UK mid-market private equity firm Dunedin, as its chairman – the first time someone from the private equity sector has become a chair for ICAEW.

Commenting on his appointment, Derry said: “As the representative body of many professionals involved in corporate finance, the faculty can add significant value to initiatives for business and economic growth. I’m keen to make sure we’re looking at ways to move equity funding up the growth agenda in the UK and internationally – including project finance, private equity, growth capital, venture capital, business angels and start-ups.”

“I’m also keen that the faculty continues to broaden its membership of companies, investors and advisers to include other specialist areas of knowledge and consultancy. The extent to which we’re able to provide guidance across all levels of finance in business is a very good thing.”

Derry joined Dunedin in 2005, having previously worked at Sand Aire Private Equity. He has national responsibility for origination activity at Dunedin across both the direct and intermediary channels. 

Ultimate choice on Wilson Field appointment

WILSON Field has expanded its West Midlands office with the appointment of financial consultant Paul Atkins, left.

Atkins, 45, from Sutton Coldfield joins the company with more than 20 years experience in the finance sector after previously working for Barclays, HBOS and as managing director of Birmingham Ultimate Finance.

Wilson Field, a business turnaround and insolvency specialist, is based at Blythe Valley Business Park in Solihull.

Atkins is tasked with liaising with businesses on a range of financial solutions to support their cashflow needs and help prevent insolvency or assist with restructuring.  

He said: “I aim to add value to businesses needing financial assistance in managing cashflow more effectively, whether it is to support recovery, growth or a restructure. I’m here on an advisory capacity and will use my experience in the sector to find the best options available which suit the needs of the business.”     
Nationally, Wilson Field has seen turnover rise to almost £6m, continuing a year-on-year growth for the business which was established in 2001.

The company also has offices in Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds, with a further five more planned to open in 2013.