Tradeshift

Tradeshift, the B2B eCommerce and FinTech platform, has named Iain Balchin as its chief financial officer (CFO). Balchin brings over 25 years of experience as a senior financial executive across various sectors, including FinTech, financial services and wealth management. He will also join Tradeshift CEO James Stirk on the company’s board of directors. Balchin has a notable record in helping scaling FinTech businesses reach the next level. As interim CFO at crypto payment platform Ramp Network, he successfully led a $70m Series B fundraising during a challenging market period. His track record also includes CFO positions at payments optimisation platform Ixaris (acquired), neobank WiZink, and WorldRemit, where he spearheaded finance division restructuring to position the company for future investment. Balchin joins Tradeshift from Dublin-listed energy storage company Corre Energy, where he led a successful equity raise to enable further development of major renewables projects.

BidX Markets

BidX Markets, one of the leading multi-asset liquidity and B2B trading technology providers, has announced the appointment of Liam Bonfield as its new chief finance officer (CFO). In his new role, Bonfield will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of BidX Markets’ operations, including financial planning, reporting, and analysis. Bonfield brings over two decades of experience in financial management, having held various senior leadership positions in leading financial institutions including Valutrades and LCG. Simon Blackledge, founder and CEO of BidX Markets, said: “His extensive expertise and strategic vision will be instrumental in supporting BidX Markets’ growth trajectory as we continue to expand our global footprint and enhance our innovative trading solutions for brokers, family offices or hedge funds.”

Psychiatry UK

Psychiatry UK, the UK’s leading online psychiatric service, has appointed Nell Montgomery as CEO. Founded in 2012, Psychiatry UK has seen rapid growth since its conception, with over 36,000 patients cared for. At the same time, senior appointments include: Ben Iversen as CFO, Anna Matty as interim COO, and Andrea Dowling as chief people officer. Montgomery has enjoyed an executive coaching career, including co-founding Aesara Partners, and 10 years in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and as managing director and member of the board of Investec Securities UK. She’s been interim CEO since September 2023.

Uinsure

Peter Thompson has joined Manchester-based Uinsure as a non-executive director following an investment by LDC. The private equity investment is backing the existing management team led by founder and CEO Simon Taylor. Martin Schultheiss will continue as group MD, James Fawcett as CFO and Dan Wright as non-executive chair.

Contollo

Ruth Percival has become the CEO of building consultancy Contollo, which helps clients achieve net zero. She’s joined forces with Oliver Dennis, who has become executive chair. The startup has been backed by private equity investor NorthEdge to buy Manchester-based cost management consultancy Abacus.  Alvarez and Marsal advised.

THG Ingenuity

Digital entrepreneur Alistair Crane has been named as the first chairman of Ingenuity, THG’s end-to-end eCommerce platform. He said: “I’m proud and excited to be working with the first class team at THG Ingenuity. Grateful for the warm welcome and looking forward to building even bigger for the future.”

Merrick

Manchester-based family law firm Merrick has promoted Molly Souter to associate solicitor.

Fourth Wall Building Consultancy

Liam Piercy has taken on the role of director at Fourth Wall Building Consultancy after five years at Hollis.

SAS Daniels

Helen Kelly has been named as the joint head of SAS Daniels’ Stockport office. She joins head of employment Katie Hodson.

Lancaster University

Chris Wynne has taken a new role as research commercialisation manager with the North West CyberCom delivery team Lancaster University.