People: BigChange; John Good Group; Lupton Fawcett; and more

BigChange, a field service management software provider, today announced Andy Fielder’s appointment as its new global Chief Technology Officer. He brings more than 30 years of experience from leading technical teams and developing technology products to his role at BigChange.

Andy started his career as a software developer at companies including Britannia Music and Universal Music, and – more recently – held senior technology leadership roles at equity-backed businesses Group NBT and BigHand.

His appointment follows the investment of more than £75 million by Great Hill Partners to fuel innovation and expansion at BigChange. Andy’s primary focus is growing the functionality and user experience around BigChange’s complete job management platform in line with evolving new technologies and customers’ ongoing requirements.

Fielder comments: “I’m delighted to join BigChange, which is an exciting technology business that has achieved a huge amount in a short period of time. I look forward to leading BigChange’s talented technology teams, helping to revolutionise the market through its market-leading products, and being part of the leadership team to deliver on this company’s enormous global potential.”

Richard Warley, BigChange CEO, comments: “Andy is a proven technology leader with a strong track record of driving innovation and supporting growth at technology businesses. He further strengthens a leadership team with extensive, proven expertise delivering products that drive sustained growth and success for global technology businesses.”

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Adam Walsh

Hull-based family-owned business, John Good Group, has appointed Adam Walsh as its new CEO.

Walsh, who will join the Group on 1 January 2022, is an experienced business leader who has worked in senior roles across several industries, including fuel, energy, renewables, transport, logistics and technology.

Stewart Oades, the group’s chairman, said: “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Adam to the John Good Group.

“His wealth of experience, combined with his entrepreneurial attitude and open personality, make Adam the perfect CEO for us.

“This, coupled with Adam’s excitement about joining our business, makes him an ideal leader to steer our Group of companies through the next chapter.”

Michelle Taft

Most recently, Walsh was director of fuel card and fleet consultancy Driving Down. Before this, he served as group managing director at The Right Fuelcard Company, an independent fuel cards distributor.

After graduating from Stirling University, he also held senior roles within Yorkshire-based family businesses, JR Rix & Sons and Bayford Group.

Walsh said: “I’m delighted to be joining the John Good Group and look forward to building on the great foundation and growth potential in the business.

“As well as investing for organic growth, the Group is keen to invest in key growth markets in the Humber and, further afield, as it moves towards its ambitions to be an ESG leader, which includes a priority aim of carbon neutrality.

“It’s a very exciting time for the John Good Group, and I look forward to accelerating the positive impact the Group can have both on the environment and socially in the markets and regions that we operate in.”

Ben Norman

John Good Group has also announced three new appointments to the board of directors.

Walsh will join the board along with new non-executive director, Michelle Taft and Ben Norman as company secretary.

Oades said: “We are delighted to welcome Adam, Michelle and Ben to the John Good Group board.

“The additions complement our existing skills and experiences, and we are confident they will provide valuable perspectives as we continue to execute our strategy, drive growth and use our business as a force for good.”

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Private client lawyer Amanda Simmonds has been re-elected as a director of the board of STEP, the worldwide body for professionals helping families plan for their futures.

She is a senior associate solicitor with Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett where she heads the firm’s Business Families team.

She provides legal advice on all aspects of private client work including: wills, trusts and estates; Lasting Powers of Attorney; Court of Protection; and personal tax planning advice particularly to families who hold interests in family-run businesses.

STEP is regarded as the gold standard for anyone undertaking private client advice. STEP members are lawyers, accountants, financial advisors and other professionals.

Simmonds is deputy worldwide chair of STEP and one of only eight STEP board members. The board is responsible for the strategic direction of STEP, and Simmonds will serve a second term of three years.

She said: “In my role as a board director, I have enjoyed contributing to the future shape and development of STEP which is a highly respected, global and multi-disciplinary professional body.

“Many members of Lupton Fawcett’s private client team are members of STEP as we recognise its commitment to promoting high professional standards among trust and estate practitioners.”

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Shawbrook has expanded its Corporate Lending team with the appointment of Matt Fannon, who has joined the specialist bank as director to extend its presence in Leeds and reach across Yorkshire and the North East.

With more than 20 years’ experience in banking, Fannon has spent the last 10 years at Allied Irish Bank (AIB), specialising in Acquisition Finance, Leveraged Finance and Cash Flow Finance.

At Shawbrook, he will focus on delivering the full Corporate Lending proposition, including asset backed and leveraged finance solutions, to help solve the complex funding needs of businesses across the region.

He said: “Having established a great reputation in the Corporate Lending arena, Shawbrook has a big part to play in providing flexible funding packages and debt structures in what is a very buoyant market.

“These factors – along with the bank’s flexibility and appetite to lend – were key drivers that attracted me to Shawbrook.”

Mark Parsons, managing director for corporate lending (Midlands, North & Scotland) at Shawbrook, said: “Matt joins the Corporate Lending team here at Shawbrook at an exciting time.

“During the first half of the year alone the Corporate Lending team completed 30 transactions, providing £125m of new facilities to high quality UK businesses in a range of sectors including precision manufacturing, professional services, technology, wealth management, training and education.

“Across Yorkshire and the North East we’re working with great businesses like Hawthorn Timber, Glazerite and Carnaby Caravans.

“The advisor community in Leeds is particularly dynamic and very active right now, and with Matt’s experience and knowledge of the local market I’m looking forward to supporting many more businesses across the region.”