This week's London appointments

David Yates, Yoyo

Payment platform Yoyo has appointed David Yates as its chairman.

With over 35 years of experience in building payments businesses, David is the former president of new payment platforms at financial services firm Mastercard and is now a senior advisor to the firm.

Prior to his time at Mastercard, David served as present at firms such as global payments service Western Union and US financial firm First Data International.

David Yates said: “I am delighted to join Yoyo as chairman having observed their growth over the past five years.

“I have no doubt that the next few years will be an exciting journey of rapid international scaling and continued product innovation.”

Yoyo CEO and co-founder Michael Rolph added: “It’s a testament to Yoyo’s growth and success that someone of David Yates calibre has taken on the reins of chairman at Yoyo.

“His experience and expertise in the international payments industry is unparalleled and will be especially invaluable as Yoyo continues to strengthen its position as the definitive digital solution for both physical and online retailers that want to deliver the most holistic, personalised and rewarding payment experience to their customers.”

Raymond Manookian, Potato

Digital product development studio Potato has appointed Raymond Manookian as head of design in its London office.

Joining from The BIO Agency where he was creative director, Raymond has experience at a range of firms including Barclays and EY.

Commenting on Ray’s appointment, Potato’s joint-CEO Scott Ewings said: “Ray has been defining and developing brand experiences for the best part of two decades.

“He brings a wealth of creative expertise to Potato from his time at places from Barclays to EY-Seren and will be a key player in our mission to design, develop, and launch purposeful and effective digital products and services for ourselves and our clients.”

Ray added: “Great design is powered by form, function, relevance and integrity. Potato designs for people and looks for the simple truth that brings people and brands together, and this is at the heart of what I do.”

Matthew Bird, Cromwell Property Group

Real estate firm Cromwell Property Group has appointed Matthew Bird as its head of UK.

With over 20 years of commercial real estate experience, Matthew joins the firm from Octane Capital where he held the position of head of commercial.

Prior to this, he held senior roles at Legal & General Real Assets and private equity real estate manager Frogmore.

In his new role Matthew will be leading the firm’s UK activities as it implements its ‘invest to manage’ strategy and expands across Europe.

Cromwell’s managing director of Europe, Mark McLaughlin, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Matthew on board.

“He has extensive experience and a strong track record of unlocking off-market situations and generating value through his network of contacts across agency, investors and debt providers in all sectors including Central London, alternatives and multi-sector portfolios.

“His proven real estate experience includes managing teams and operating-partner relationships, devising strategy, as well as engaging with joint venture partners and investors across the world.”

Jonathan Clarke, Arney Fender Katsalidis

Architecture and interiors practice Arney Fender Katsalidis has appointed Jonathan Clarke as director.

With experience in the residential and build-to-rent sectors, Jonathan joins the practice having worked on the delivery of residential, hotel, workplace and retail projects across the world.

Jonathan joins the firm from consultancy Woods Bagot, where he was principal and global sector leader. Prior to this he worked as a managing director of Universal Design Studio, where he led designs of flagship stores for Stella McCartney, department stores in Korea for Lotte and exhibition designs for clients such as the V&A museum.

In addition to his professional activities, Jonathan is closely involved in academia and has held senior lecturing roles at the University of Brighton, as well as being a visiting critic at selected schools of architecture and design and a member of the Southwark Design Review Panel.

Earle Arney, CEO at Arney Fender Katsalidis commented: “It is an immense pleasure to welcome Jonathan to our firm.

“As both an architect and interior designer, his extremely broad skill set, design flair, management rigour and strategic client approach is a timely addition to the business, particularly as we set our trajectory for the next 5 to 10 years.

“Jonathan’s appointment adds a further dimension and depth to our practice to build on this exciting base as we shape the future of our practice.”

Anne Welch, RADA Business

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art subsidiary RADA Business has appointed Anne Welch as operations director.

Anne has previously held senior, director-level positions with the Developing Health & Independence Charity, LMC Group and Definitive Consulting.

In her new role Anne will facilitate the further growth of RADA Business’ London and MediaCity teams, supporting their operational and financial performance.

Kevin Chapman, director of RADA Business, said: “Anne’s experience will be crucial to the next phase of our development.

“We are also going to expand our international consultancy business. RADA Business already works with organisations and individuals world-wide, supporting their growth, development and capabilities.

“Our reputation in these markets is creating more and more opportunities to expand this global business and Anne’s appointment will give us the foundation to manage that growth.”

Jonathan Edge and Roger Lowe, Quintessential Brands

International spirits company Quintessential Brands has appointed Jonathan Edge as group HR director and Roger Lowe as chief finance officer.

Jonathan joins the firm from Ideal Standard (UK & Ireland), and has held senior positions at global FMCG companies including Nestle and Imperial Tobacco.

In his new role Jonathan utilise his experience of organisational change, employee engagement, talent and performance management to shape the group’s HR strategy.

Roger has been promoted from his role as UK CFO to chief finance officer for the group as a whole.

In his new role, Roger will take responsibility for leading the group’s global finance function to meet its growth ambitions.

Warren Scott, CEO and co-founder of Quintessential Brands, commented: “The next stage in Quintessential Brands Group’s development is to drive further international growth and both Jon and Roger will play important roles in making that happen.

“Both bring significant experience, skill and passion and I’m delighted to welcome them to the Quintessential Brands team.”

Barry Rea, Michael Henretty and Lucy-Anne Johnson, Carter Jonas

National property consultancy Carter Jonas has made three new appointments in its London valuation team.

Barry Rea joins the firm as a partner, with Michael Henretty joining as an associate and Lucy-Anne Johnson appointed as a graduate surveyor.

With more than 19 years of experience, Barry was previously a director at GL Hearn specialising in affordable housing. He also previously held roles at Savills and LaSalle Investment Management.

Michael joins from Cushman & Wakefield and brings more than 10 years’ valuation experience from single assets to residential portfolios as well as complex appraisals. He specialises in the London Super Prime residential market and will work to develop Carter Jonas’s capabilities in this area.

Johnson joins from Lidl, where she worked as a property consultant responsible for the management and expansion of the business’s property portfolio across Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Suffolk and its national strategy. In her new role, Johnson will concentrate on residential valuation and advisory work primarily working with Registered Providers.

Dudley Holme-Turner, head of valuations at Carter Jonas, commented: “These are three fantastic appointments that build on the expertise of our existing team and enable us to enhance our residential valuation and advisory offering.

“Barry is a highly regarded expert in the area of valuations with an in-depth knowledge of the Registered Provider market, as well as an extensive network.

“This, together with Michael and Lucy’s combined experience, is extremely beneficial for our growth strategy to provide a comprehensive range of services across multiple asset classes.”

Ben Mansfield and Becca Sharman, Cognitant Group

Healthcare firm Cognitant Group has appointed Ben Mansfield and Becca Sharman as business directors.

Ben joins the group from Four Health Media, where he held the role of managing director. He has more than 20 years of experience working for pharmaceutical companies, medical publishers and marketing agencies including Janssen pharmaceuticals, MGP and Doctors.net.uk.

Becca has experience in the medtech and digital media sectors, where she formed commercial partnerships with the NHS and other clinical service providers.

Dr Tim Ringrose, CEO of Cognitant Group, commented: “These new appointments give us very strong and credible experience, and extends our ability to provide our clients with senior-level advice and support at a strategic level.

“With a fully rounded view of the healthcare industry, they will help Cognitant Group with our growth strategy.

“Their understanding of the healthcare industry will help us as we continue to deliver dynamic and effective immersive healthcare information to enable patients to better understand their health and treatment.”

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