This week’s national appointments

This week’s round up of London appointments includes ThinCats, Prospect Homes and the Manchester Law Society. Read on to find out more.

Michelle Heptinstall, ThinCats

ThinCats, the alternative finance provider to mid-sized SMEs, has announced the appointment of Michelle Heptinstall as director of business development sponsors for the North and Midlands.

Michelle is set to play a key role in servicing the increasing levels of demand for funding to support the growth of mid-sized SMEs across the North and Midlands, with a particular focus on supporting private equity backed businesses.

Michelle has worked with SMEs across the lower mid-market space for almost a decade and brings a wealth of experience in the financial services and business banking industry from her time working at Clydesdale Bank and more recently, Virgin Money.

Michelle joins ThinCats’ specialist sponsors origination team, which until now has been based in London. Michelle will be based from ThinCats’ new Manchester office and work closely with ThinCats’ existing regional development teams in the North West, North East and Midlands.

Michelle commented: “I’m thrilled to be joining ThinCats at such an exciting stage of its development. SMEs and their advisers are increasingly turning to alternative lenders to create bespoke and flexible funding structures for private equity backed buyouts and growth plans, which ThinCats is well placed to support.

“The North and Midlands markets are very buoyant with many quality businesses in these regions looking to accelerate their growth, and I look forward to helping them with this.”

Andrew Denton, Prospect Homes

Prospect Homes has made a new appointment to support its ambitious growth plans.The housebuilder has welcomed Andrew Denton to the team, taking on the role as head of land.

Andrew, has worked in the industry for over 15 years, in both the public and private sector, most recently as Head of land at a volume house builder. A graduate from The University of Sheffield, Andrew also holds a masters in civic design.

Andrew said: “I was drawn to Prospect Homes, by the existing team, a number of whom I have worked with previously, and also by the company ethos with profits being re-invested into Riverside. So, when this position came up, I jumped to apply.”

As head of land for Prospect Homes, Andrew will now lead the land team focusing on acquiring land for development in the North West.

He continued: “I have two sites to exchange and two to complete in the first quarter, which makes it an exciting time to join the business. These sites will secure over 400 new homes for the pipeline and put the business well on track to achieve its growth plans.”

Nigel Yates, managing director at Prospect Homes, added: “I am delighted to welcome Andrew to the team, his knowledge and expertise is a real asset to the business. He has joined at a very busy but exciting time as we look at purchasing more land around the North West.”

Paul Johnson, The Manchester Law Society

The Manchester Law Society has elected Paul Johnson, a partner in the corporate team at Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway, as its 2022 president following two years as the Society’s vice president.

Paul is a highly regarded and respected solicitor working across the North West, based at Ward Hadaway’s Manchester office, where he’s been a senior member of the team since he joined in 2014.

After studying law at Liverpool University, Paul worked at various firms in the region before he joined Ward Hadaway in 2014. He deals with a wide range of corporate matters including mergers and acquisitions, private equity matters and regularly acts on behalf of owner-managed businesses.

Paul said: “To be elected president of the Manchester Law Society is truly a great privilege. Serving as vice president for the last two years, I have a deep understanding of how the Society works and, collectively, we have bold ambitions to help and support legal professionals both members and non-members.

“I am also looking to rekindle the Society’s Education Fund this year to provide financial support and networking opportunities for those who may not otherwise have access to legal training. I’m looking forward to a wide range of exciting events and seminars and meeting more of the region’s innovative, hard-working legal professionals.”

Today, Manchester Law Society has over 3,700 members and is one of the largest and most active local law societies in the country. Its main aim is to support, champion and connect their members and to provide a strong and collective voice for the legal community in Manchester.

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