People: Minerva Business Angels; Godwin Developments; Fieldfisher

A Midlands-based angel investment network has announced a new leader to grow the organisation in 2025.

Luke Pulford has been hired to lead the Minerva Business Angels investment network, part of the University of Warwick Science Park.

Pulford’s experience across the private and public sectors in founding, growing and supporting companies, business consultancy and investing– as well as previously being part of the Science Park’s business support service Business Ready – meant he was well-placed to take the reins.

He said: “When the opportunity came up with Minerva, I thought it was too exciting to miss. I’m passionate about helping young businesses grow and succeed, and this role is the perfect way for me to do that. A thriving angel investor network is vital for high-growth companies to flourish, not only in terms of access to funding but access to the right people.

“For some businesses, having a direct introduction to the contacts who can move their business forward is even more valuable than an injection of cash in the long term. Matching the right investor with the right business is therefore crucial to success, and Minerva has been doing that well for many years.

“But one of my key goals is to debunk some of the myths around angel investing, especially that you have to be a high-flying multi-millionaire to do it. Even modest amounts of investment can make a huge difference to a young company with a bright idea, and if they succeed, the returns can be enormous. It also means investors can put their money into ideas or individuals that they really connect with and make a tangible improvement to that business, rather than just putting in cash.”

Victoria Lynch, head of commercial at the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “We’re delighted that Luke has been appointed as Head of Minerva Business Angels. His extensive background in investing in and advising small businesses, alongside his network of contacts across the Midlands and his knowledge of the Science Park through his work with Business Ready, meant he was the standout choice. We are confident he can help Minerva Business Angels build on the incredible success it has had over the last few years.”

Property firm Godwin Developments has announced the appointment of two property professionals, Stuart Munro and Richard Sanders, as advisory members to its property board.

Both bring decades of expertise to Godwin and will work closely with the directors and senior management team, assisting the business through its next growth phase across the UK.

Stuart Munro

The non-executive roles will include supporting various funding strategies, identifying emerging opportunities, forming strategic partnerships and assisting with the development and delivery of both new and existing projects.

With a career spanning over 35 years, Stuart Munro has a wealth of experience in property development and contracting.

He spent many years leading Drew Smith, a business based in the South of England, where he guided the company to achievements, including its acquisition by the Galliford Try Partnership in 2017.

Following this, he advanced to the roles of regional managing director and later divisional chair, overseeing seven business units nationwide.

Richard Sanders

Sanders has over 30 years of experience in the investment banking sector, with the majority of that time spent at Catalyst Corporate Finance, a business he co-founded.

It later merged with the Spanish investment bank Alantra, where he played a pivotal role in transforming it into a leading international mid-market advisory firm.

During his time at Alantra, he advised on various transactions and fundraising initiatives within the property construction and development sectors.

Since stepping down, Sanders has taken on board positions with several dynamic and entrepreneurial businesses, leveraging his extensive expertise to support their growth.

Munro said: “I am delighted to join Godwin’s experienced board of directors and eager to deploy my expertise and network to help uncover new opportunities, foster strategic partnerships, and drive the business toward its growth objectives. With a strong national pipeline and significant potential for further expansion, I’m excited to play a role in shaping Godwin’s future success.”

Sanders said: “Having worked with Godwin during my time at Alantra, I’ve always admired their vision, strong team, and impressive projects. I’m excited to bring my experience to support their ambitious growth plans and help them unlock new opportunities. It’s a privilege to be part of their continued success in such a fast-moving market.”

Stephen Pratt, founder and board director at Godwin, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Stuart and Richard to the board. Their depth of experience and industry insight will be invaluable as we navigate a dynamic market where the demand for homes, commercial, and industrial spaces remains strong. Their contributions will help us unlock new opportunities and deliver exceptional results for our stakeholders.”

Law firm Fieldfisher has hired Darren Kenny as its new commercial disputes partner.

Kenny has joined Fieldfisher from DWF and will be based in the firm’s Birmingham office.

He has more than 17 years of experience in high-stakes international litigation, arbitration, fraud asset recovery, and technology-related disputes and has acted on cases worth billions of dollars and is recognised for his strategic acumen and technical skills.

Darren Kenny

Kenny’s practice extends to commercial contract disputes, corporate and shareholder disagreements and software licensing disputes.

He also has expertise in the financial services and technology sectors, two of the firm’s key focus areas.

Richard Waugh, head of dispute resolution in Birmingham, said: “I’m excited to welcome Darren to the Birmingham disputes team. Bringing in a partner of Darren’s calibre is a clear reflection of the strength of the Midlands market. As the region’s largest dispute resolution offering, we are committed to providing specialist litigation and arbitration expertise that meets the evolving needs of clients locally, nationally and internationally.”

Ranjit Dhindsa, Birmingham office leader, said: “Darren’s hire is part of our strategic investment in transforming the Birmingham office into a dynamic hub for business transformation and specialist litigation. The Midlands is a thriving market with a global outlook, and we are building a full-service offering to assist clients both near and afar with their most complex legal challenges. We are actively looking to grow the office further and bring in more talented specialists to support our expanding client base.”