This week's London appointments

Anju Patwardhan, Curve

London fintech Curve has named Anju Patwardhan as a non-executive director to its board.

Anju brings decades of expertise and leadership in financial services and innovation to Curve.

She was most recently managing partner at CreditEase’s Fintech VC Fund, one of China’s largest fintech venture funds.

She is also a non-executive director on the board of Gulf International Bank in Saudi Arabia and is a member of the Global Advisory Council of Distinguished Careers Institute at Stanford University.

As a non-executive director at Curve, Anju will bring unmatched insight into global financial systems, regulatory environments and credit risk, along with a deep understanding of what’s driving innovation in the industry. She will also join Curve’s Board Risk Committee.

Shachar Bialick, founder and CEO of Curve, commented: “Anju’s impressive knowledge of both traditional finance and digital innovation, and of how to unify them, couldn’t be more valuable at this exciting time of growth for Curve.

“As we work towards our launch in the US, and introduce our lending business via Curve Credit, the whole business will benefit from Anju’s exceptional experience.

“She’ll enable us to embed rigour in regulation and risk management across Curve. She’s a leading light in our industry, and is driving its capacity to transform and unlock opportunities for customers globally.

“We are privileged to have someone of Anju’s calibre join us at this pivotal time in Curve’s journey.”

Anju said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with Shachar and the talented Curve team, as they continue their mission to simplify the finances of consumers in the UK, Europe and US.

“I see huge potential in Curve’s model to bring innovation to these markets. With the mission of combining multiple cards in a single smart app and a single physical card, Curve brings ease, control and transparency to consumers.

“I have already replaced a dozen of my credit cards with Curve’s smart card, and I look forward to helping Curve fulfil its potential to be the all-in-one financial solution for consumers.”

Ed Silk, JDO

JDO has today announced that Ed Silk will be taking on the role of global head of strategy.

Prior to joining JDO, Ed was head of strategy at Bulletproof London where his clients included Bayer, P&G, Heineken and Mondelez.

Before Bulletproof, Ed was planning partner at Coley Porter Bell.

Ed commented: “JDO is an independent agency with global reach working across an amazing array of clients from Pernod Ricard to Unilever.

“I’m excited to help drive and elevate the strategic offer, as there is a tangible energy and passion within the agency to resolve business problems using creativity strategically.”

Fiona Florence, MD of JDO, said: “Our strategic offer sits at the heart of what we do.

“It provides a stimulus and framework that drives the creative execution, be it brand, design, packaging or 3D and it helps us deliver solutions that ultimately create belief.

“Ed joins an exceptional team and we are thrilled to welcome him to the JDO family.”

Robert Wheeldon and Tony Sturge, FRP

Specialist business advisory firm FRP has bolstered its restructuring advisory offering with the appointment of two new directors.

Robert Wheeldon and Tony Sturge both join the firm’s London office and collectively bring more than 30 years’ experience to the team.

Robert has spent more than 20 years tackling corporate restructuring and personal insolvency cases, predominantly involving complex investigations, the tracing of undisclosed assets and identifying recovery claims against various parties.

Tony also joins the firm’s restructuring advisory team and has specialised in restructuring matters since 2008. He has a background in providing clients and their stakeholders with sound advice during times of distress.

Commenting on Tony and Robert’s appointment, David Hudson, partner at FRP, said: “Investment in talent has always been a core part of our business, so it’s great to welcome experienced professionals such as Robert and Tony to the team.

“With both having worked in the industry in different capacities for a number of years, they bring a breadth of knowledge that will no doubt strengthen our support for clients.

“These appointments come at a time of uncertainty for many businesses in the UK and will boost the team’s efforts to help clients navigate the post-pandemic landscape, through the provision of honest and clear guidance to tackle complex situations.”

Mark Ewing, Public Sector

Public Sector Plc has appointed property finance expert Mark Ewing as its new chief finance officer.

Mark brings with him more than 15 years’ experience in development finance working for some of the largest names in residential and commercial property and regeneration, including Clarion, Peabody, Berkeley Homes, and Hammerson.

Previously head of investment finance at the UK’s largest housing association, Clarion Housing Group, Mark led on commercial negotiations and financing of land and development transactions across the country.

Prior to that, Mark was a regional finance director at Berkeley Homes where he managed joint venture relationships with councils and delivered financial management and control of an operating business delivering large-scale prime residential projects across London.

Mark joins Public Sector Plc from the Covent Garden Market Authority, the public corporation engaged in the redevelopment at Nine Elms, Wandsworth.

Paul Brown, CEO, said: “Public Sector Plc is committed to help local authorities and housing associations build back better and greener from the impact of Covid-19.

“Through our partnerships we are providing strategic asset management to unlock the value of their property assets and in doing so, deliver greater income streams for public sector bodies.”

“Mark joins Public Sector Plc as the country starts to see the beginning of the road to recovery from Covid-19 with the nationwide vaccination programme.

“Covid-19 has, and will for some time, leave a large hole in local authority budgets, with councils increasingly needing to find new creative and sustainable revenue streams.”

Mark added: “It’s incredibly motivating to be joining an organisation with a mission to help councils and communities build back better from Covid-19.

“I’m looking forward to working with Public Sector Plc’s local authority partners and to support them at this challenging time to create value through strategic asset management.

“This will empower public bodies to deliver more, much-needed new zero carbon homes, as well as exceptional commercial and employment opportunities which can accelerate investment and growth in local communities.”

Adrian Hipkiss and Jorge Shell, Boost Drinks

Boost Drinks has announced that it has created two new international roles.

Adrian Hipkiss, current marketing director, takes on a new remit as marketing & international business director, and will be responsible for spearheading the business’s international sales strategy and brand development programme, whilst continuing with his pre-existing marketing responsibilities, overseeing category insight, brand and product development activity.

The company has also announced the appointment of Jorge Shell as international controller.

He will be responsible for the creation of regional business plans, working closely with Boost’s marketing team on geographical marketing campaigns and with Boost’s distributors in local markets to drive and develop business.

Jorge and Adrian previously worked together at Valeo Foods where their focus was growing the business internationally, in strategic markets such as the Middle East, North America and Europe.

Adrian commented: “Boost’s brand ethos means we don’t rest on our laurels; we were one of the lucky few to see continued growth in 2020 and we have an ambitious vision to develop our brand in international markets, building on our success in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“We have a strong brand proposition and portfolio which can absolutely travel overseas, and I am hugely excited by the prospect of growing the Boost brand on an international scale.

“We already have new partners and brand distributors in place in and are looking to enter certain new markets imminently.

“We are delighted to bring Jorge on board to play a crucial role in developing Boost’s global expansion strategy. Jorge brings proven experience in growing brands in new markets, and we are very much looking forward to realising our international growth ambition.”

Jorge added: “It’s great to be joining such a dynamic company with a great culture to boot.

“My first priorities in my new role will be building on existing market momentum and outlining a clear international growth plan for the brand.”

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