This week's London appointments

Lisa Neale, Hyperoptic

Hyperoptic, the hyperfast broadband provider, has announced it has supercharged appointed of Lisa Neale as its MD of Infrastructure.

Lisa will report into Dana Tobak, CEO and Founder of Hyperoptic, and will be responsible for delivering the company’s network rollout ambitions.

Lisa has a proven track record in driving network build at scale. Having joined BT as an engineer at age 18, she has spent twenty years rising up the ranks in telecoms. She recently held a number of leadership roles at Openreach, including the director of Fibre Build in UK East, and director of Fibre and Network Delivery in UK West.

Lisa Neale, MD infrastructure, Hyperoptic: “I am really excited to have a key role in enabling Hyperoptic to connect new customers so that they can enjoy a whole new broadband experience.

“In parallel, I am also looking forward to collaborating with the senior team on new innovative tools and techniques that will help fast track our rollout schedules. I feel that I will be able to add a lot of value from consolidating everything I have learnt through my career.”

Dana Tobak, CEO, Hyperoptic: “Lisa is a phenomenal exec and I am delighted to welcome her to the leadership team.

“As we build a new network that is fit for the future, we need to have the best and brightest in the industry to enable us to build out our network effectively and quickly. I am confident that Lisa’s experience and attitude will be a huge asset to Hyperoptic.”

Clare Ezekwe, Denis Aghaizu, Andrew Park, Mark Peck, David Williams, Jamie Snary, Olga Ledlie, Apache Capital

Apache Capital, an investment management firm focused exclusively on living real estate, and Present Made, the company’s single family housing BTR platform and the first of its kind in the country, has announced a string of senior appointments and promotions.

Former Apache Capital advisor Claire Ezekwe joins from the globally renowned law firm Trowers & Hamlins LLP, strengthening its restructuring team as Senior Associate Director for Transactions and Structuring.

Ezekewe brings over 10 years of legal experience in real estate finance and has worked closely with Apache Capital over the last few years to support the delivery of the UK’s largest premium multifamily housing portfolio with Moda Living.

Ezekewe, who has managed development finance transactions across the Midlands and the North from £60m to £120m as part of the joint venture’s roll out, becomes Apache Capital’s third hire of the year following the appointment of Andrew Hill as Senior Analyst and Olga Ledlie as commercial finance manager.

Apache Capital has also announced the promotion of Denis Aghaizu, Andrew Park, Mark Peck, David Williams and Jamie Snary to executive director positions, while Nikki Price has been promoted to senior associate director of ESG & Operations.

Mervyn Howard, Executive Chairman of Apache Capital said: “Apache Capital has exciting plans for 2022 and beyond to follow what has been a highly successful 2021.

“This success would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our team, which is reflected in the promotions we have announced today and will be built upon by the wave of new hires we have brought into the business.”

Richard Jackson, managing director at Apache Capital and CEO of Present Made, said: “A professionalised and institutional approach will represent the bedrock of the UK rental market as we look into the future, and our investments in both our portfolio and the internal team are a real statement of intent in this respect.

“Apache Capital and Present Made also continue to invest heavily in their respective ESG strategies as the industry enters a pivotal transitional phase.”

Annalise Dragic, Sapphire Ventures

Sapphire Ventures, a venture capital firm, has today announced it will expand its European investment activities over the coming year.

As part of this expansion, Sapphire is delighted to announce that Annalise Dragic, currently a principal at the firm, will be promoted to Partner, making her one of Europe’s youngest female VC Partners.

Annalise, 29, joined Sapphire as a Principal in 2020, having previously worked at Atomico. Since joining the team, she has been involved in Sapphire’s investments in Adverity, Contentful, Currencycloud, GitGuardian, Matillion, Unmind, and Yapily, and worked on the firm’s investments in Cazoo (NYSE: CZOO) and Wandera (acquired by Jamf).

Annalise commented: “I’m honored to become Partner at Sapphire Ventures. There has never been a more exciting time to be a venture investor in Europe. I’m looking forward to deepening Sapphire’s presence across the continent, building out our team, and partnering with more ambitious mission-driven founders.”

Gwyneth Nurse, HM Treasury

Gwyneth Nurse will take up her new role at the beginning of January 2022, taking over from Katharine Braddick.

A trained tax inspector, Gwyneth joined HM Treasury in 2003 and has held a number of roles including Deputy Director, Assets, Savings and Wealth, and Deputy Director, Banking and Credit. She is currently Director, Financial Services.

The Director General of Financial Services is responsible for leading the delivery of HM Treasury’s work to promote stability, fairness, efficiency and competitiveness in financial services.

She also leads the Treasury’s relationship with the Prudential Regulatory Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority, and will represent HM Treasury on the Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee.

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