This week's London appointments

Sean O’Leary, Bellway

Sean O’Leary has been appointed as a land buyer at Bellway after successfully completing the company’s graduate scheme.

Sean started the full-time post last month (September) after joining the national housebuilder’s London Partnerships division, based in Dartford, as a graduate land buyer in January 2020.

Sean said: “I am delighted to have been given the chance to pursue a career at Bellway,” said Sean, who gained a degree in politics from the University of Southampton in 2018.

“I was working for a legal services company which assessed land risks in respect of planning applications when I spotted an advert for a position on the graduate scheme at Bellway.

“I applied for the post as a graduate land buyer and was lucky enough to get in.”

Sean said that the graduate scheme normally runs for two years but that his assessment period was shortened due to the pandemic.

Bill Kenneally, regional director of Bellway London Partnerships, said: “Sean’s progress is a prime example of the pathway within Bellway that leads directly from a position on the graduate scheme to someone being taken on in a full-time senior role.

“Sean has worked very hard within the company and has seized the opportunity with both hands and we are very glad to welcome him on board.

“The graduate scheme is a very important source of talent for Bellway and represents an opening into the industry for people finishing university and looking for a career in housebuilding. We look forward to working with many more graduates in the future.”

Christoph Knaack, Preqin

Preqin, an alternative assets data, tools, and insights specialist, has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Christoph Knaack, currently Preqin’s Chief Strategy & Product Officer, as the company’s CEO as of Jan. 1, 2022.

Christoph will focus on leading Preqin through its next growth phase, as the company moves toward serving its customers through the entire private market investment lifecycle — from fundraising and investor relations to deal origination, due diligence and portfolio monitoring.

Commenting on the announcement, Mark O’Hare said: “It is an exciting time for Preqin and the alternative assets industry in general, and as such it is a perfect time to transition to a dynamic new leader. Since he joined Preqin, Christoph has brought clarity and focus to our product and corporate strategy, with tremendous results.

“Thanks to his deep industry knowledge, customer focus and fresh perspective, Christoph is the right person to lead Preqin going forward — with the full support of the board, the executive committee and our amazing team across the globe.”

Christoph Knaack added: “I am truly honored to lead Preqin through its next phase of growth. Preqin is an incredible business and Mark’s vision in building it has truly changed the alternative assets industry.

“I want to thank Mark for his leadership over the years, for his personal mentorship and guidance, and for his and the board’s confidence in me. Private markets are evolving, and so is Preqin, and I am very excited about the opportunities ahead of us.”

Sarah Debney, Simpson Millar

Law firm Simpson Millar has announced the expansion of its national private client division with the appointment of Sarah Debney as national head of conveyancing.

She brings more than 35 years’ conveyancing and strategic management experience, as well as expertise overseeing all aspects of buying, selling and re-mortgaging residential properties, to the role.

Sarah is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and a professional council member for the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

Director of Private Practice, Chris Johnson, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Sarah to the firm.

“She joins Simpson Millar at an exciting time for the Residential Conveyancing Department as we look to continue to grow our market share and strategic partnerships.

“Sarah provides us with a wealth of practical and technical experience, but she has also operated at a senior level in one of the largest conveyancing practices in the country.

He concluded: “Her experience is helping shape the way Simpson Millar delivers legal services in this area, from all aspects of the client journey to risk management in what is unquestionably a demanding and changing environment.

Sarah added: “I am pleased to be joining Simpson Millar and privileged to be taking on the role of National Head of Conveyancing.

“The industry has faced considerably demand throughout the pandemic, and the commitment and dedication of the wider team to deliver on thousands of matters on behalf of clients across the country has been admirable.

“I am very much looking forward to working with the team to further streamline our operations in order to best meet the needs people dealing with a range of residential property related matters, as well as working alongside our colleagues in the wider private client services division.”

Andrew McCullagh, Caoihme Bain, Hayfin

Hayfin Capital Management has announced the appointment of Caoimhe Bain as head of ESG, a new role that will bolster the firm’s well-established environmental, social and corporate (ESG) capabilities and coverage.

Caoimhe joins Hayfin’s broader ESG leadership team with whom she will work closely to ensure that the firm’s embedded responsible investment practices are continuously reviewed and developed, as well as implemented across the business and its distinct strategy lines.

Caoimhe will report to Andrew McCullagh, a member of Hayfin’s Management Committee, Investment Committee and ESG Committee.

Caoimhe brings over 10 years of experience in responsible investment having worked in a number of related roles within the asset management sector.

She joins Hayfin from Hymans Robertson where she worked as a responsible investment consultant in charge of the firm’s broad responsible investment policy and sustainable investment framework.

Andrew McCullagh, management committee member at Hayfin, commented: “Responsibility – incorporating all environmental, social and corporate issues - has long been embedded in Hayfin’s culture and is integral to our decision making.

“Enhancing our ESG capabilities with this new role will improve our management of risk, allow us to make more informed investment decisions, and will ultimately drive value for our investors. We’re very pleased to welcome Caoimhe to our team.”

Caoimhe Bain, responsible investment director at Hayfin, said: “I’m excited to join Hayfin, a leading asset manager that both culturally and in practice is committed to responsible investment as an inherent part of its strategy.

“I look forward to working closely with our ESG and Audit & Risk Committees, as well as the investment teams, to support the firm’s responsible investment efforts across the business lines.”

Amyr Rocha Lima, Peter Moores, CISI Board

The CISI membership has elected Amyr Rocha Lima CFPTM Chartered FCSI and Peter Moores, Chartered FCSI to its Board of Directors.

Amyr holds both the certified financial planner and chartered financial planner designations. He specialises in helping business owners and senior professionals with their retirement planning.

Amyr is a partner at Holland Hahn & Wills LLP, a financial planning and wealth management firm based in Kingston upon Thames. Amyr is a frequent commentator on financial planning and wealth management matters for both national and specialist media.

Peter is chief executive officer at Raymond James, responsible for overseeing all its businesses in the UK, including wealth management, capital markets and corporate finance.

Peter started his career with Chase Manhattan Bank in New York where he completed both the Associate Development Programme and the Financial Analyst Programme.

He spent ten years working at Chase Manhattan in New York, Frankfurt and London initially as a relationship manager for Chase International Institutional and then in Chase Asset Management & Mutual Funds as vice president, regional sales director, for Europe.

Michael Cole Fontayn MCSI, CISI Chairman said: “We are delighted to welcome Amyr and Peter to the CISI Board and we look forward to their support and guidance as we continue to grow our global membership and professional qualifications.”