Quantuma makes double partner promotion to support growth trajectory

Business advisory firm Quantuma has promoted both marketing expert, Marie Wadeson and restructuring specialist, Simon Campbell to the position of Partner.

Marie joined the firm as head of marketing in 2016. She has more than 15 years’ experience in senior positions, including eight years at global accounting and audit firm Mazars where she was responsible for national marketing activities and stakeholder management.

During her time at Quantuma, Marie has been responsible for driving the growth of the business through setting and delivering the firm-wide corporate marketing strategy and overseeing strategic business development activity. Marie will continue to lead the growing marketing team through Quantuma’s next stage of growth in the UK and overseas.

Simon has taken up the role of partner in Quantuma’s Southampton office, where he will work alongside existing partners, Andrew Watling and David Meany to bolster the firm’s presence in the South. He has spent four years at Quantuma as a director, specialising in restructuring, insolvency and corporate recovery.

Prior to joining Quantuma, Simon held positions at Grant Thornton and, most recently, he spent almost 10 years in senior positions at a boutique restructuring firm. His sector expertise includes technology, property, logistics, agriculture and professional and business services.

Marie Wadeson, partner at Quantuma, said: “In the professional services sector, it is less common for those in non-fee earning roles to secure partnership roles, so this promotion is a real achievement for me personally.

“Quantuma is a people-led business that is not afraid to break with convention, and I am looking forward to continuing to develop our challenger brand as we grow at a rapid rate, both in the UK and in strategic overseas markets.”

Simon Campbell, partner at Quantuma, said: “I am delighted to have been admitted to the partnership at such a unique firm. I have enjoyed being part of Quantuma’s stella growth since I joined four years ago, and I am looking forward to working with Andrew Watling and David Meany to further develop the firm’s presence on the south coast and beyond.”

Carl Jackson, managing partner of Quantuma, said: “There is nothing that gives me greater pleasure than to develop our homegrown talent through to partnership. Over the last few years, Simon has secured and delivered some outstanding returns for stakeholders and investors on a range of challenging and complex real estate instructions and has developed a real niche in acting for investors in failed property schemes.

“Marie is an invaluable member of the team. She has been critical in the growth of the entire business through the marketing and business development functions, as well as building a strong in-house marketing team. She has spearheaded the communication of our recent overseas expansion into Cyprus and Mauritius, as well as several important acquisitions in the UK.”

Founded in 2013 by Carl Jackson, Quantuma has grown to become a £25m practice employing 250 staff. Headquartered in London, the company has a strong presence in the South of England, with locations in Southampton, Marlow, Watford, Brighton, Scotland and Bristol.

These promotions follow significant geographical expansion in the last 18 months for Quantuma. In April 2019, the firm merged with Kingsland Business Recovery, which saw it take over offices in Bradford, Birmingham and Nottingham. Quantuma also expanded internationally with new offices in Cyprus and Mauritius. It recently merged with WRI Associates in Glasgow to mark its first presence in Scotland office, and acquired Bell Advisory in Manchester.

Nucleus CF strengthens presence in the Midlands

Nucleus Commercial Finance today announces the expansion of its business development team in the Midlands with the addition of Stuart Smith as business development manager. Stuart brings with him 14 years’ industry experience and will play a key role in Nucleus’ growth in the region.

Stuart joins Nucleus from his most recent role at HSBC, where he was a senior commercial manager, covering the Midlands. In this role, he supported client cash flows via a number of different product suites to ensure client growth for SMEs both nationally and internationally. He also brings with him experience in handling complex deal structures and supporting introducers with various types of lends.

Stuart will be based in Greater Birmingham and will be responsible for expanding Nucleus’ cashflow finance proposition in the Midlands, with a focus on building existing relationships and also forging new partnerships with introducers across the region.

Stuart Smith, business development manager, Nucleus Commercial Finance said: “This is an exciting time to be joining a company that is placing real focus on offering alternative financing solutions in the Midlands. Nucleus not only has a strong reputation in the industry in delivering solution led finance, but it has the ability to efficiently turnaround deals. This role will enable me to work with introducers to deliver bespoke solutions to clients and give me the chance to do what I enjoy doing most, providing introducers and clients cash flow support fast.”

Chirag Shah, CEO, Nucleus Commercial Finance added: “Now is a challenging moment for businesses across the country and SMEs need financial help throughout these unprecedented times. Stuart’s appointment strengthens our presence in the Midlands and ensures we continue to provide important support for businesses in this region.”

Property specialist Ben Humphreys joins Bathgate Business Finance

West-Kirby based finance specialist, Bathgate Business Finance, has continued to build on its expansion plans with a strategic new appointment.

The company has welcomed property finance specialist Ben Humphreys as business development manager (BDM). Ben brings more than 15 years’ experience to the team, garnered from roles at companies including Wirral Chamber of Commerce, St James’s Place Wealth Management, Ingard Financial and Skipton Building Society.

He joins Bathgate Business Finance from Wirral Chamber of Commerce, where he was director of membership and growth, driving the recruitment of new members and directly managing relationships with the chamber’s strategic partners and its professional business members.

The strategic appointment of a property specialist positions Bathgate Business Finance for further expansion into the sector in 2020. Specialising in commercial mortgages for business owners and property investors, bridging loans for refurbishment and change of use and finance for new build projects, Ben’s experience will allow Bathgate Business Finance to provide an even more innovative range of funding solutions to property businesses across the North West.

Ben said: “Having a BDM dedicated to the property sector presents a fantastic opportunity to generate new ideas and respond quickly and effectively to changes in the market. I’m looking forward to using my expertise and depth of understanding of the sector to structure finance in such a way that delivers the best possible outcome for both future and existing clients. I also aim to bring new ideas on raising capital for enquiries into the business and use my extensive network of contacts to grow Bathgate’s already thriving customer base.”

Ben, who officially started in his new role on Wednesday 1 April, joins the team at a time of great uncertainty for the property sector and across the region, due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking of the current climate, Ben said: “Much of the impact of the global pandemic on the property sector is still to be seen, namely rental voids, the construction sector scaling back and struggles with supply chain. However, property offers great security for lenders and will be a huge resource for individuals and businesses to make sure they emerge from these difficult times in a positive place.

“Enquiries about using property assets to release cash are already coming in and we are also encouraging clients to review finances, whether for a single commercial mortgage or portfolio of properties. Lenders are still looking to lend, so now is a time to renegotiate terms, save some interest or even raise capital for future investments.”

Bathgate Business Finance MD, Gordon Andrews, added: “Ben’s property sector expertise and extensive network of contacts will be absolutely pivotal to our growth over the next 12 months.

“Given the challenging economic time that he is joining us, Ben has hit the ground running with a positive attitude and some excellent new ideas, which will benefit both our current customers and help us to extend support to new clients at a time when it is very much needed.

“His approach is perfectly aligned with our company mission to help businesses start up, survive and grow and we’re excited to welcome him into the Bathgate family.”

Quantuma appoints director of corporate finance team

Business advisory firm Quantuma appointed Philippa Robinson as a director in its corporate finance team.

Philippa joins Quantuma after qualifying with KPMG to become a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. In her role at KPMG, she spent time on both the corporate tax and Corporate Finance teams.

With over 20 years’ experience in advising businesses, Philippa has worked at advisory boutiques, been a partner in a top twenty accountancy firm and has led the private company teams at city brokers. More recently, she took the step to set up her own advisory firm, Charlton Illingworth, which provides mergers and acquisition services.

Key transactions include the securing of a new investor for Stanley Gibbons, the world’s longest established rare-stamp merchant. Philippa has also been central to the sale of the estate of a major artist, fundraising for a haulage business, and the disposal of a chain of beauty salons to an overseas investor.

In her new role as a director at Quantuma, Philippa will act as the lead advisor on a variety of transactions, including fund raises, sale mandates, and management buy outs. She will play a key role in understanding the businesses that Quantuma advises, picking apart any issues and finding effective solutions.

Philippa Robinson, director at Quantuma, said: “Quantuma is well-known across the mid-market for providing a wide breadth of services whilst standing out from traditional professional services firm. Whilst we are living in uncertain times at the moment, I am excited to join Quantuma in its phase of growth and to be in a position to provide support to businesses that require a vast variety of corporate finance services.

With market conditions extremely complex at the moment, it is important that businesses consult with experts that have significant experience in dealing with a range of different situations so as best to plan for the weeks and months ahead whilst achieving the best outcomes for all parties involved.”

Mark Lucas, partner and head of corporate finance at Quantuma, said: “Over the past year, our corporate finance team at Quantuma has grown considerably in line with growing demands for our first-rate advisory, fundraising and virtual FD services.

Philippa is a well-known and hugely respected professional in the industry. With extensive experience across the Solent region and beyond, Philippa’s wide contact base and significant expertise in providing both lead advisory as well as transaction support services will no doubt support the team as it continues to provide a range of solutions to our clients.

Her particular skills of really getting under the skin of these businesses, understanding the issues that they face and the particular drivers of entrepreneurs enable her to add value to SME’s at all stages and in both their growth periods and more challenging times.”

Baldwins appoints new partner at Rossendale office

Baldwins, the North West-based accountancy and business advisory firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen Binns as a partner in the Group’s Rossendale office. Helen brings over twenty years’ industry experience and joins Baldwins from PM&M, where she was a partner and head of the Burnley office.

Helen is highly experienced in dealing with all aspects of accounting, auditing and financial management for a range of companies of varied scale and sectors including professional services, manufacturing, retail and not for profit organisations. More recently, her focus has also been on SME’s, owner managed businesses, and not-for-profit organisations.

Helen will complement a strong management team, made up of Nicholas Stockton (partner) and Les Nutter (managing partner), Peter Johnson and Tony Reynolds, supported by directors Simon Read and Stephen Kerrigan.

Baldwins, a CogitalGroup company, continues to develop its reach and breadth of services across the North West and Helen’s appointment is a further example of the Group’s growth trajectory. With six offices in the region, Baldwins is well placed to deliver the highest quality service to all firms from start-ups to mature companies, with a commitment to providing a personal service within local communities.

David Travis, regional managing partner of Baldwins, said:

“We are very pleased to have appointed Helen as a partner in our Rossendale office. She has a wealth of experience in advising businesses on key accounting, tax and cash flow issues; she is a great addition to the team. In particular, her experience of advising local businesses will be crucial as we look to continue our support for those companies across the region. Her appointment is further evidence of our strong growth in the North West and enhances our offering of exceptional service to all our clients, from larger firms to local businesses, where we are dedicated to providing a bespoke service.”

Helen Binns, partner of Baldwins’ Rossendale office, said:

“I am really looking forward to the prospect of joining Baldwins, a firm that is built on strong values of client service and investment in its people. The Rossendale team has a brilliant reputation for delivering high level service across its client base in the area and I am excited to become an integral part of its future growth. I believe that the strong relationships and network I have developed in the region will be an asset for the team and I look forward to expanding these with Baldwins.”

Lloyds expands invoice finance & ABL team

Lloyds has strengthened its support for clients in the £100m+ turnover segment, with Wayne Mills and David Sacca joining the invoice finance & ABL team.

Wayne Mills

Ben Stephenson, managing director and head of IF & ABL, said “I’m delighted to announce the expansion of the team. The demand for IF & ABL solutions in the £100m+ turnover space is growing at a rate of 5-10% per annum and the addition of Wayne and David represents our commitment to support clients in this space with their growth ambitions.”

David Sacca

Wayne commented, “I am pleased to be back in the invoice finance and ABL market and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead of us. We have a really experienced team and a strong desire to build sustainable relationships with clients and advisers.”

A 30+ year career has seen Wayne hold a variety of leadership, relationship management and business development roles in corporate banking, trade, asset finance, invoice finance and leveraged finance.

In addition, David Sacca joins the invoice finance and ABL business as a business development director based in Manchester. David will be focused on developing new opportunities in the North of England and brings a decade of experience and a demonstrable track record of understanding customer needs across a range of sectors and structuring solutions to support.

Prior to joining Lloyds, David held a number of roles with NatWest and RBS; most recently responsible for a specialist portfolio of clients with significant asset based lending exposures. Earlier in his career, he also gained a wealth of experience in relationship development, risk management and transaction execution; supporting a range of customers including those with private equity funding, highly leveraged and syndicated structures.

Emma Davies promoted to partner as special projects service continues to grow

Business advisory firm Grant Thornton have announced the promotion of Emma Davies to partner.

Emma, who is based in Yorkshire but works across the firm’s offices in the North and Midlands has been with Grant Thornton for most of her career.

Her promotion from director recognises her dedicated work in creating and growing the firm’s successful special projects business – a highly flexible bespoke service which allows businesses to upscale or upskill their finance department by bringing in talent on an interim or project basis during periods of change or high pressure.

In the last 12 months special projects’ revenues increased 165% and expanded into other locations across England, with a team of more than 30 working out of offices in Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, London and Milton Keynes.

Alongside the creation of special projects – which counts global businesses such as law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer among its clients – Emma has also launched Grant Thornton Select, an inclusive and flexible working model for experienced accounting professionals. To date she has brought in around 150 finance professionals, in addition to the employed special projects team, who work on a project basis for special projects clients nationally.

Andy Wood, Partner and Yorkshire practice leader at Grant Thornton in Yorkshire said: “I am proud and thrilled to see Emma become a partner. She is a true pioneer within our firm having created a new service which, in a short space of time has become highly valued by our clients.

“Her vision, market knowledge and passionate approach to delivering excellent advice to our clients alongside her outstanding leadership qualities means she is a highly valued member of our team and I look forward to working with her for many years to come.

Emma Davies said: “I’m very proud to join the partnership at Grant Thornton, which has been incredibly entrepreneurial in giving me the opportunity to grow the special projects team and also to create select – which is bringing finance professionals who need to work flexibly, for family or other reasons, back into work.

“In a fast-changing world where businesses have to manage many challenges, ranging from regulatory changes, cyber threats and of course uncertainty over Brexit, our special projects offering has come to the fore.

“Over the course of my career I have gained a lot of commercial experience in-house as well as in an advisory capacity which has helped me to shape our service offering. I am really looking forward to growing the team further and also contributing to the success of our firm in the North and on a national basis. In particular I am passionate about continuing to support and mentor the career progress and development of other women in the profession.”

In her spare time Emma, a proud mother to her six-year-old son, enjoys cooking, country walks and spending time with her family and friends.