People: XR Games; Holden Smith; BDO; and more
Leeds-based VR Games studio, XR Games, has appointed former chairman of Sumo Group Ken Beaty as its chairman, and former Apple US consumer retail leader Collin Greene as a non-executive director.
Another recent arrival is Sonia Kerr, who has been made CFO.
The appointments follow XR Games’ recent £6m investment round in July, led by existing investors act media ventures, Praetura Ventures and Maven.
Following a 20-year career with European Private Equity firm 3i, Beaty has spent the last 10 years as an independent non executive director and chairman working with the boards and stakeholders of private companies, public companies and charities across a wide range of sectors.
In 2014, he was appointed non-executive chairman of Sumo Group, the UK’s largest independent developer of AAA-rated video games.
During his time at the business, the company increased employees from fewer than 100 in two locations to more than 750 in eight locations, made three acquisitions and underwent two changes of ownership including an AIM listing in Dec 2017.
On 17 January 2022 Sumo Group was sold to Chinese technology group Tencent Holdings for £919m.
A graduate in Economics from the University of Liverpool, Greene has spent over 30 years working at the very largest tech companies such as NCR, Intel and Apple.
Most recently he was based in Apple’s Cupertino HQ, leading its US Consumer Retail business.
Beyond the US, he has more than a decade of experience living and working in Asia, with COO and Country CEO roles for Apple-based in Tokyo and Seoul.
Kerr is a finance director with extensive experience of financial operational leadership & transformation in high growth and turnaround scenarios, combined with 20 years’ experience of corporate M&A, fundraising, start-ups, and cross border expansion.
XR Games’ founder and CEO, Bobby Thandi, said: “We are so pleased to be welcoming Ken and Colin to the XR family. It’s a huge milestone for us, and a testament to our growth potential and journey so far.
“To see such industry giants from the gaming and tech industry express such enthusiasm and ambition to help drive XR Games forward as a true innovator within the VR/AR space is really rewarding.
“Further, Sonia has been an amazing addition as our CFO. Her financial expertise and emotional intelligence is off the charts. Sonia was also instrumental in closing our $7m fund raise.”
Beaty said “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the XR Games board at this key stage in its development.
“Bobby and his team have built an incredible platform for growth based on deep understanding of the AR/VR gaming space, huge creativity, energy and ambition and an extensive global network of relationships with publishers, IP holders and technologies.”
Greene added: “I look at XR Games and see the beginning of a true pioneer within the virtual and augmented reality space.
“Seeing what Bobby and team are working on with the likes of Sony Pictures VR is truly inspiring to watch, and I’m privileged to be joining them for the next step of this journey.”
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Law firm Holden Smith has grown its specialist conveyancing team with the appointment of experienced conveyancing manager, Julie Makin.
Makin has more than 20 years’ experience in the conveyancing industry, having worked in a volume re-mortgage team before moving into operations management and client relationship roles.
She is based at the firm’s Leeds Crossgates office and will act on sales and purchases, re-mortgages, transfers of equity and bridging finance for clients.
James Smith, co-founder and director, said: “Julie is a well-known and highly regarded conveyancing specialist, and her appointment is significant in the continued growth of our residential conveyancing team.”
Makin added: “Holden Smith is a dynamic, forward thinking law firm and I am pleased to be joining at a time of significant growth for the business to further strengthen our specialist conveyancing team.
“We are different to other large conveyancing solicitors, as we retain the small firm feeling where customer service sits at the core, while having the resource and experience to manage a high volume of cases.”
Founded in 2019 by James Smith and David Bancroft, Holden Smith employs a team of 60 people with offices in Huddersfield, Leeds, Halifax and Ilkley.
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Accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO, has strengthened its Expat team with the appointment of Mark Allsopp as associate director.
He is an experienced dual qualified UK/US tax advisor with over 14 years’ experience in expatriate areas, including inbound/outbound advisory US to UK and UK to US, UK/US resident considerations, and streamlined filing for non-compliant US individuals.
At BDO, he will primarily be responsible for assisting US individuals who are moving to, or who are based in the UK, to navigate the complexities of both the UK and US tax systems, allowing the individual to be tax efficient in both countries.
Allsopp will be part of the firm’s North Region Expat team.
Ben Tarry, tax partner, said: “Mark is a fantastic addition to our Expat team. His appointment marks an exciting opportunity for the firm, as we look to unlock significant potential in the regional markets.
“Mark’s experience in areas such as expatriation of US individuals and relevant tax compliance, will be vital in helping us to build our presence outside of London.”
Currently, there is an opportunity for US residents based in the UK to utilise the Streamlined Foreign Offshore Procedures, in order to become compliant with their US tax obligations. However, the window to take advantage of this ‘amnesty’ will be closed in the future.
Allsopp said: “Navigating complex dual tax systems can be a daunting and complicated process for any US individual based in the UK – particularly for those who establish they are ‘accidental Americans’ and need to meet their obligation to be compliant with US tax.
“We’re looking to assist those who face these complexities and help them to navigate this process knowing they are in safe hands throughout.”
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DPP Planning, an independent national planning consultancy, has made a trio of promotions at its Leeds and Newcastle offices to further strengthen the business.
Jess Knight, who joined the company in 2017 as an assistant planner and became a planner a year ago, has moved up to senior planner, with Charlotte Hatton and Anett Vild promoted to planners.
Based in DPP’s Leeds office, Knight has completed an MBA in Town and Regional Planning, achieving a Distinction.
During her time with the business, she has managed several high-profile projects including residential schemes in the East Riding of Yorkshire including Pocklington, Market Weighton and Middleton on the Wolds, a large hybrid application for mixed-use in Kirkbymoorside, and been involved in a student accommodation block, which is set to become the tallest building in Leeds.
Recently, she has been involved in the preparation and submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment for a new sustainable urban extension to the north of Howden, which includes construction of up to 1,865 homes together with community facilities and a relief road.
Hatton, who is also based in the Leeds office, has also been involved in the Howden project. A first-class honours Geography graduate, she joined DPP in October 2020 after working in economic development in North West England for a year.
Other keynote schemes in which she has played a part include a full planning application for a new leisure centre in Knaresborough, which involved the organisation of public consultation material, and a hybrid application for a residential led mixed-use development in Leicester.
Gareth Hooper, DPP chief executive, said: “We believe in rewarding talent at DPP and this is reflected by these well-deserved promotions.
“Jess, Charlotte and Anett all have demonstrated strong professional progress during the last year and have made a significant contribution to the company.”
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As part of BGF’s ongoing organisational evolution it has confirmed that Andy Gregory, current chief investment officer, is to be appointed by the Board as chief executive officer, effective on 1 September 2022.
Stephen Welton, executive chair, will step up to non-executive chair, effective 1 January 2023.
Gregory has held the role of chief investment officer since May 2021 and before that was head of investments, UK & Ireland since January 2020.
He has been with BGF since 2011, joining as regional director for the North of England. Before that, he held senior roles in the private equity industry including at LivingBridge and Bridgepoint.
Welton was appointed founding CEO of BGF in 2011. He has also served as a member of HM Treasury’s Patient Capital Review, the Council of Innovate UK, and the PM’s business advisory council.
Prior to BGF, he was one of the founding partners of private equity firm CCMP Capital (formerly JP Morgan Partners) and managing director of Barclays Private Equity and Henderson Ventures, which he also co-founded.
Welton said: “After more than a decade of executive leadership, I am pleased to take on the role of non-executive chair and welcome Andy Gregory as incoming CEO.
“Andy has delivered strong investment performance as CIO, knows the market incredibly well, and will continue to drive forward the BGF model and mission.
“The additional appointments to the leadership team demonstrate the breadth of talent we have at BGF and the exciting future ahead.”
Gregory said: “BGF holds a unique position in the investment industry, which it has established thanks to the hard work of a highly skilled team, Stephen’s unwavering leadership and the support of our shareholders.
“We will continue to drive forward our investment activity and deliver exits that create long-term value for the entrepreneurs we back, as well as for our shareholders.
“Against the backdrop of several major macro events impacting the UK & Irish economies, there has never been a more important time to back our entrepreneurial wealth creators.”
Neil Johnson, deputy chairman at BGF, added: “The Board and shareholders of BGF welcome Andy’s appointment as CEO, recognising his fundamental successes in the various roles held since joining BGF.
“Stephen has played a huge role in developing BGF in the last decade, and the Board is delighted he will be continuing to support the firm’s future growth in his new role as non-executive chair.”
To support the leadership structure, new appointments have been made to BGF’s executive committee, effective 1 January 2023.
These include Richard Taylor, head of growth, Ben Barker, head of portfolio, and Cate Poulson, head of talent network, who will all join Andy Gregory, Claire Lamb and Matt Reed on BGF’s Executive Committee.
