People: Aliter Capital; Crowe; Shakespeare Martineau

Aliter Capital, a buy-and-build investor focused on SME support services businesses, has appointed John Antunes as group chief executive officer (CEO) for its technology transformation and resourcing investment..

Antunes has worked in senior leadership roles in the global technology sector over the past 25 years.

Most recently, he was group managing director at Clearcourse, the software and payments business and he was chief operating officer at Accenture’s Edenhouse business.

He has also worked in senior management roles at SAP, Microsoft UK and Sage.

As Group CEO, Antunes will work closely with the Aliter team and the board, including Matt Gillen and Wendy Morgan, current business leaders at Concept and Jumar respectively, who continue in senior board roles.

Greig Brown, partner, Aliter Capital said: “We are truly excited by John’s arrival as Group CEO for Concept and Jumar. He is a highly experienced, successful board leader, with a strong track record in driving business growth, both organically and through acquisitions. His appointment is another major step forward in our ambition to develop one of the UK’s leading specialist technology solutions providers.”

National audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe has appointed Helen Blundell as a partner in the firm’s social purpose and non-profit team.

She joins the partnership with more than 20 years of experience and the ICAEW Diploma in charity accounting and works closely with a diverse range of clients from local charities to organisations operating nationally and internationally.

Having joined Crowe in 2023 as a director, Blundell’s experience spans audits, independent examinations, and advisory.

Based at Crowe’s Midlands and South West offices in Oldbury and Cheltenham, her advisory work has included governance reviews, corporate structures, and registration support across a range of sub-sectors, including faith-based groups, heritage charities, health and welfare, education, and art organisations.

Ross Prince, office managing partner, with new partner Helen Blundell

Blundell said: “I am passionate about working with clients in the social purpose and non-profit sector and consider it a privilege to be part of a market-leading firm which is equally committed to serving the needs of this sector. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues to continue to deliver lasting value to our clients, providing assurance and allowing them to focus on delivering their objectives.”

Ross Prince, Office Managing Partner at Crowe’s Midlands and South West offices, added: “Helen’s knowledge, experience, and passion for the sector has long been held in the highest esteem at Crowe, making her an important advocate in sharing our values and expertise within the charity sector.

“Her promotion is a testament to our commitment to crafting talented teams who can bring insight and pragmatic advice to our clients. Congratulations and welcome to the partnership, Helen.”

Nigel Bostock, Chief Executive at Crowe, said: “As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact donations and government funding, and charities are expected to deliver more for less in an increasingly regulated sector, Helen’s expertise supporting these organisations has never been more valuable.

“Her extensive expertise and experience will ensure that our team is fully equipped to continue offering exceptional advice and service to our clients when they need us the most. Congratulations, Helen.”

Following an increase in demand for its services and a string of successful client wins, Shakespeare Martineau, has grown its energy and utilities practice with a trio of legal director hires.

With more than 45 years of combined experience, Bhikhu Samat will be working in the full-service law firm’s energy and utilities regulatory team, while Daniel Clarke and Matthew Harris will be specialising in real estate energy.

Samat who will be based in London but working with clients nationally, has joined Shakespeare Martineau from Eversheds Sutherland, where he spent a large part of his career advising Thames Water on a wide range of commercial, procurement and regulatory matters.

Bhikhu Samat, Daniel Clarke and Matthew Harris

In his new role, he will be helping support the growth of the firm’s water practice, which currently includes three of the country’s water and sewerage undertakers.

He will also use his utility and public sector procurement experience to further strengthen the firm’s wider procurement law capabilities across its national client base.

Samat said: “I am delighted to have joined Shakespeare Martineau and to have been allowed to work with such a highly experienced energy and utilities team. With my extensive water industry experience, I am looking forward to developing the firm’s offering to the sector, supporting its existing and future water and energy clients.”

Daniel Clarke has joined the firm following more than two years at DLA Piper, where he advised FTSE 100 companies, funding institutions, private developers, statutory undertakers and government bodies with portfolio management, investment and dealing with the real estate elements of corporate restructuring across the energy, life sciences and industrial sectors.

In his new role, he will be working collaboratively across the firm’s various practice areas to support Shakespeare Martineau’s growth, with a particular focus on real estate development, renewable technologies and infrastructure in the energy sector.

Clarke, who will be based in Birmingham said: “Shakespeare Martineau has established itself as a serious contender in the energy market, advising on big ticket deals involving its planning, construction and core real estate teams alongside those operating in the circles of ‘big law’.

“The firm has been working with key players in the field for many years – well before some law firms acknowledged the increased significance of the energy sector and the importance of the UK government’s proposals around renewable infrastructure and associated legislation.

“With this in mind, Shakespeare Martineau is well placed to understand and sensibly steer in this rapidly evolving sector, advising its clients on key regulatory changes under the proverbial microscope, which are due to keep lawyers in the sector stimulated for many years to come.”

Matthew Harris who will also be based in Birmingham has joined Shakespeare Martineau following more than nine years in Eversheds Sutherland’s real estate team, where he was a trusted legal advisor to clients in the water, electricity and renewable energy sectors.

In his new role, he will focus on helping developer clients deliver complex renewable energy and flexible energy projects, providing strategic and transactional advice on land rights and real estate matters.

He will also advise utility companies on their land portfolios, networks and projects.

Harris said: “I was impressed by the calibre of the clients Shakespeare Martineau has in the energy space, as well as its commitment to the sector. The firm is ideally positioned to support clients with their decarbonisation agendas and will provide a great platform for the development of my career in the coming years.

“I am passionate about the energy transition and enjoy working with developers and investors on projects that will play an integral role in helping the UK to reach its net zero targets. I have worked across a range of clean energy technologies including wind, solar, battery storage and biomass, including development, financing, acquisition and disposal. I hope my experience of acting for utility companies on nationally significant infrastructure projects will be an asset to the firm as it seeks to retain existing clients and win new mandates in a competitive market.”