This week’s national appointments

This week’s round up of National appointments includes Archangels, North West Business Leadership Team, RSM. Read on to find out more.

Ian Macleod, Archangels  

Archangels, the world’s longest running business angel investment syndicate, based in Edinburgh, has appointed Ian Macleod as the new chair of its board.

Ian Macleod, chair at Archangels, said: “The Scottish angel investment sector is helping to make Scotland a power house in the life science and technology industries. Archangels are at the forefront of that effort and it’s an honour to take on the role of chair”.

The former investment analyst and fund manager takes over the helm from Eric Young, who has held the position since 2014. Eric will continue to sit on the Archangels board.

Eric Young, board member at Archangels, added: “With Ian’s long and highly successful career comes a great deal of experience and wisdom, all of which he will bring to the role of chair.”

Founded in 1992, Archangels is a leading business angel syndicate investing in early-stage Scottish life sciences and technology companies.  

Archangels comprises around 120 members and a five strong full time executive team. In 2021, the syndicate invested £11.8m to reach a total of £23.6m including co-investment from Scottish Government agencies and other partners. There are currently 20 companies within the portfolio.

Steve Coffey, North West Business Leadership Team

The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) has welcomed Steve Coffey as a new member. Steve is the Chief Executive of Torus, the region’s largest affordable housing provider, who own and manage around 40,000 homes in Warrington, St Helens, Liverpool and beyond.  

Profits generated by group members Torus Developments and HMS are reinvested into the Torus Foundation, a community anchor institution, to fund projects that build social capital and fulfil the group mission of growing stronger communities.  

Chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team, Jonathan Murphy, welcomed the news: “I have been keen to ensure that the vital role that affordable housing must play in the future sustainable growth of the region is recognised at the heart of our work – from driving forward the skills agenda through to our journey to net zero.  

“Torus are a significant player in this space, and Steve brings a wealth of personal expertise with him, that will add great value to us.  I am very much looking forward to working with him and his team.”  

Steve said: “I am delighted to join the NWBLT and look forward to working with the team to share ideas and drive forward opportunities for growth and levelling up. Torus is a key investor and catalyst for change in the North West and will play a huge contribution to developing future sustainable places and capturing new jobs and future skills through strong partnerships.  

“With the value and expertise of NWBLT colleagues, Torus will be able to enhance these opportunities and support the growth of a prosperous, green and vibrant North West.”

Kathy Hobbs, RSM UK

RSM UK has appointed a prominent sustainability expert in Manchester to further enhance the firm’s growing Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) practice.

Kathy Hobbs joins RSM from NorthEdge Capital, a mid-market private equity firm, where she was head of ESG with responsibility for monitoring developing ESG regulation; embedding ESG into the investment process; portfolio data management; and accurately reporting on progress.

With over 10 years’ accounting experience working in practice at PwC, and various industry financial reporting roles including at Thomas Cook Airlines and The Peel Group, Kathy has specialised in sustainability and brings a wealth of ESG expertise to the team.

In addition, she has recently completed an MBA at Alliance Manchester Business School focusing on sustainability; and is alumni from Cambridge University’s Business and Climate Change Leadership Programme.

The appointment demonstrates another significant moment for RSM to strengthen and expand its ability to offer market leading ESG advisory to UK middle market businesses following the recent appointment of Karl George as Head of Governance and Rich Hall as Head of Sustainability.

Rich Hall, partner and head of sustainability at RSM, said, “investing in key talent, like Kathy, is central to our long-term strategy to ensure we are well placed to help clients navigate this business critical issue; and it’s great to welcome Kathy to the ever-expanding team.”


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