This week’s London appointments

Lina Margolin, Gett

Ride-hailing company Gett has appointed Lina Margolin as VP of business solutions UK.

Lina Margolin joined the firm at its UK headquarters, where she will focus on building new partnerships and onboarding new top-tier business clients.

She will also manage Gett’s business accounts and operations, develop its product and offer support on marketing and vendor management.

Lina has more than 10 years’ experience and worked most recently as senior manager of seller growth analytics and compliance at eBay, having started her career with the e-commerce giant in San Jose, California.

Gett UK CEO Matteo de Renzi said: “I’m delighted to welcome Lina as our VP of Business Solutions at Gett UK.

“As we continue to grow Gett Business Solutions and expand our corporate travel services even further, her experience, leadership and guidance will be incredibly valuable for the company’s next stage of growth.”

Lina commented: “I am thrilled to join the vibrant and growing team at Gett. Using my previous experience at eBay, I hope to bring an analytical, data and technology driven approach to the Business Solutions team.

“I am excited by our mission of setting new standards for corporate ground travel at a global scale.”

Tim Corbett, Liquidity Club

Liquidity Club has appointed Tim Corbett to lead its expansion into London.

Tim’s background in the finance sector includes time as the managing director of BNP Paribas Commercial Finance and director in the asset-based lending businesses of Barclays, Lloyds and other banks.

As an advisor at Liquidity Club, Tim will work with MD David Totney to grow the firm’s presence in London and the wider South East.

Tim said: “Liquidity Club offers a fresh new approach to funding for SMEs and since their inception last year, they have grown significantly and expanded their geographical presence across the Midlands and North.

“I am excited to be launching their London and South East team and to work strategically with clients to ensure they find the right business partner to fund their business needs.”

David Totney commented: “Tim’s experience and background is superb, and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.

“The launch of Liquidity Club into London and the South East is a big step forward for us and Tim’s appointment shows we are attracting a high calibre of people to work with us.”

He added: “Tim is very well connected and knowledgeable, and we are looking forward to sharing his expertise with SMEs across the region and colleagues at Liquidity Club.”

Alan Clark, D&D London

Restaurant operator D&D London has appointed Alan Clark as its new chief financial officer.

Alan has previously held a number of board-level financial positions for several luxury hotel groups, including the financial management of businesses with substantial restaurant operations.

His former roles include finance director for Malmaison & Hotel du vin and Rocco Forte Hotels in the UK.

More recently, Alan was group chief financial officer at Sandals Resorts International.

D&D London chairman and CEO Des Gunewardena said: “We are very pleased to have appointed Alan as CFO of D&D London.

“He brings a wealth of financial experience to the group and joins us at a very exciting time. Our business continues to expand.”

He continued: “We have opened a number of restaurants both in the UK and in New York in the last year and we have a substantial pipeline of UK and overseas projects. So, Alan’s knowledge and international experience will be a big asset to us going forward.”

Alan Clark commented: “I have greatly admired D&D London as a leading global hospitality company and have been impressed with what Des, David and the rest of the team have achieved – especially recently with a series of successful new restaurant openings.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the group and look forward to contributing to expanding the business further.”

Jennifer Cormack, UK Inbound

Trade association UK Inbound has appointed Jennifer Cormack to its board of directors.

Jennifer is the sales and marketing director of Windermere Lake Cruises in Cumbria.

She is one of three new directors to join the organisation, which lobbies the Government on issues affecting the tourism industry.

She said: “It’s such a privilege and an honour to be voted on to the UK Inbound board of directors. Collaboration is key, and I will bring to the role a great network of contacts and relationships that are already in place.”

Jennifer will take up her new role, which does not affect her work with Windermere Lake Cruises, on February 6.

Rob Kelly and Rhys Price, Growth Street

Alternative finance firm Growth Street has appointed two new business development professionals.

Rob Kelly (pictured) is the company’s new head of sales for the South and Rhys Price has joined as business development manager for the North.

Rob, who has nearly 30 years’ experience in SME finance, will work from Growth Street’s London HQ. Starting his career at Barclays, Rob has since held leadership roles at ABN AMRO Commercial Finance and Bibby Financial Services.

Most recently, he was UK head of sales for Scottish Pacific Business Finance.

Rhys Price will be based at the firm’s Liverpool office.

Rob said: “Too many high street banks have deprioritised really intelligent support for growing businesses.

“I’m delighted to have joined Growth Street to support the needs of business owners across the South of England and Wales.”

He added: “Growth Street understands the challenges faced by SMEs, and the whole team share my passion for helping British businesses understand their options when it comes to finance.”

Growth Street commercial director Julie Ashmore commented: “We’re delighted to have welcomed Rob into the team! His experience will help us immensely as we continue to build out our UK-wide team.

“In 2019 we’ll continue building relationships around the country, not just with business owners but with finance partners like brokers and accountants. Rob’s experience will enhance our offering and help us support more SMEs nationwide.”

Thorsten Runge, On the dot

Delivery startup On the dot has appointed Thorsten Runge as its international director.

The role will see Thorsten working to drive the company’s global strategy, which includes helping retailers expand and compete on an international level.

Thorsten has previously led Amazon and eBay’s delivery innovation strategies for close to 10 years.

Santosh Sahu, founder and CEO of On the dot, part of CitySprint Group, said: “On the dot’s SaaS-based approach to delivery was built with international aspirations from day one.

“The technology we’ve built to help retailers compete with Amazon has potential well beyond the UK.”

Four appointments, Bevan Brittan LLP

Law firm Bevan Brittan LLP has added to its capabilities in the property, housing and care sectors by taking on a new legal team.

The newcomers, joining the firm from Dentons, are partner Wendy Wilks, senior associate Fiona McDonald, paralegal Kim Watson and personal assistant Janice Richards.

Based at Bevan Brittan’s London office, the team will continue working with their current clients while also assisting a range of Bevan Brittan clients in the housing, property and care sectors.

Wendy Wilks said: “I, with others in the team, am delighted to be joining Bevan Brittan which has a strong and growing reputation in the housing and care sectors.

“We are excited to be aligning our experience with the considerable quality and breadth of services at the firm, and look forward to providing a first-class advice to clients throughout England and Wales.”

Bevan Brittan’s head of housing, Jonathan Turner, commented: “I would like to welcome Wendy, and the capability and experience that she and her team will provide to Bevan Brittan.”

Managing partner Duncan Weir said: “I would like to welcome Wendy and her team to Bevan Brittan. They will help us support a significant number of housing and care providers across England and Wales, within our vibrant housing, property and care practices.”

Simon Jones, APEXX

Payment software startup APEXX has announced the appointment of Simon Jones as an advisor.

Simon currently holds advisory roles at fintech companies Money Mover and CompleXCountries, before which he was with multinational investment bank J.P. Morgan for 33 years, latterly as managing director, head of treasury solutions, treasury services EMEA.

APEXX co-founder Rodney Bain said: “We’re thrilled to bring Simon on board as we expand our increasingly impressive team here at APEXX.

“His depth of experience in the global treasury market will be key in developing global partnerships as APEXX continues on its mission to bring transparency, innovation and competition to the global payments industry.”

Simon commented: “I couldn’t be joining APEXX at a more exciting time. It’s continuously expanding and fast-growing list of partners and clients is testament to the impressive job the company is doing solving a previously untapped problem in the market.

“APEXX’s technology is Artificial Intelligence based and way ahead of others in the industry - I’m looking forward to bringing it to a host of new global partners and prospects.”

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