This week's London appointments

A week of highlight appointments from across London:

Gajan Rajanathan, Highland Europe

Highland Europe has appointed Gajan Rajanathan as its technology advisor and investor, who will join the team this month.

Gajan has advised on some of the UK’s biggest tech deals - including the £1.43bn Skyscanner sale to CTrip, China, and the sale of Swiftkey to Microsoft in March 2016. He has also advised on the sale of Withings to Nokia in early 2016.

He commented: “I am incredibly excited to be joining the Highland Europe team this Autumn. Having worked with a multitude of technology investors in the past, I have always had tremendous respect and admiration for the way the Highland partnership works with founders and portfolio companies.

“It is a privilege to be joining such a talented and hungry team that continues to grow from strength to strength. I am particularly looking forward to finding and backing the next generation of exceptional entrepreneurs building fast growth software, fintech and consumer internet companies.”

Laurence Garrett, partner at Highland Europe, added: “We have got to know Gajan very well over many years and he will fit in brilliantly to the team here at Highland Europe.

“Investing in and building up tech companies is a long game, which requires huge amounts of energy, attention to detail and patience. Gajan has what it takes to complement the other members of the team here and we can’t wait for him to get started.”

Bruce Carnegie-Brown, Chartered Management Institute

Bruce Carnegie-Brown has been appointed as the new president of the Chartered Management Institute, who will formally take over from outgoing president Mike Clasper.

Carnegie-Brown brings a 30-year career in the city, currently being the chairman of Lloyd’s of London and Moneysupermarket.com. CMI is the only chartered body for management and leadership professionals with more than 157k in membership.

Carnegie-Brown commented: “I’m passionate about the talent of tomorrow and CMI has a great heritage of developing leaders and managers. Investing in young people who have the ideas and motivation to drive businesses forward is essential to helping us grow a globally competitive UK plc.

I look forward to working with CMI as it builds on its successes, particularly in its professional apprenticeships that will transform how we train our next generation of managers.“

In his career, Carnegie-Brown’s roles have included managing partner of 3i Group Plc’s Quoted Private Equity business, CEO of Marsh McLennan’s UK and managing director of JP Morgan.

Ian Boden, LendInvest

LendInvest has appointed Ian Boden as sales director, with over 35 years of experience in financial services, buy-to-let and commercial mortgages.

Boden has held a variety of positions from wealth management and customer relationship management. Most recently, Boden was head of commercial mortgages and portfolio management at Aldermore Bank, where he spent five years.

Chief commercial officer at LendInvest, Matthew Tooth, said: “This year our sales team has grown in direct response to the demand we are seeing in the market. It’s great to have someone of Ian’s calibre joining us to lead that team.

“Bringing years of sector experience with him, Ian has a unique skill set that makes me confident he is the right man to be driving our business into new areas, both regionally and from a product perspective.”

Boden himself commented: “Joining LendInvest at a time when it is ramping up both its regional presence and rapidly expanding product range is very exciting.

“To work within a team that is so keen to innovate and remain ahead of the curve when it comes to product development is brilliant. Getting stuck in from day one is something I have always enjoyed, so this is the perfect opportunity for me to hit the ground running.”

Jo Wolfe, Reason Digital

A digital agency and social enterprise has appointed Jo Wolfe as managing director of the company’s new officer in London.

Wolfe will bring over 10 years of experience in the industry, established relationships with vital contacts and knowledge when it comes to the applications of digital innovation in the charity sector.

The company already has a strong client base in London, and this appointment will enable it to better cater for both existing and future clients nationwide.

Commenting on her appointment, Wolfe said: “The charity sector faces a host of different and complex challenges and, since these organisations are not traditionally tech-based, it can sometimes be difficult for them to modernise their processes and maximise their fundraising efforts.

“Digital innovation offers huge opportunities for addressing these issues. It feels like a natural career progression to use the skills that I have developed to help as many businesses and charities as possible.”

Wolfe will be responsible for developing existing clients and driving new business through ambitious partnerships. She will also play a leading role in looking at the charity sector strategically to identify new ways of using the company’s digital strengths wisely.

Matt Haworth, co-founder of Reason Digital, commented: “As a company, our primary aim is to use our digital capabilities to make a positive impact on the clients we work with. The charity sector is an important focus for us and an area where we are able to initiate hugely positive change…

“Jo has a very impressive background and knowledge of how digital technology can be used to maximum effect in this area. She has been influential in the digital transformations of all the charities she has previously worked with. I’m confident that Jo is the perfect person for the job and she will be a tremendous asset for the company moving forward.”

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