Silicon Valley Bank, the bank of the world’s most innovative businesses, enterprises and their investors, has appointed Erin Platts as Head of EMEA and President of Silicon Valley Bank’s UK Branch.

Platts’ appointment was approved by the FCA today. She replaces Phil Cox, who has taken the Chief Operating Officer role with the parent company, SVB Financial Group, at its headquarters in Santa Clara, California. Simon Bumfrey will take over Platt’s previous role, Head of Relationship Banking, Europe. 

Acre, the next-generation mortgage, protection and general insurance platform, has announced an exclusive arrangement with Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG), one of the UK’s largest distributors of financial advice, coupled with a £5 million investment from Aviva and SBG. The deal will help transform the way mortgage and protection advisers process business and service their clients.

Intertrust, a global leader in providing expert administrative services to clients operating and investing in the international business environment has strengthened its fund servicing platform in Ireland with the launch of a new fund administration business. 

Bowmark Capital, the mid-market private equity firm, has completed the take-private of AIM-listed Tax Systems Plc, the leading provider of corporation tax software and services in the UK and Ireland.  The transaction values Tax Systems at £114 million. 

Praetura Ventures is raising money for its first Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) fund, as part of its mission to bridge the estimated £300m venture capital funding gap for scaling businesses in the North West of England. The company plans to raise £15m of EIS capital to fund around eight to 10 early-stage companies in the region.

Tim Mills, Management Director of the Angel CoFund has made the following comments on the Chancellor's Spring Statement and its focus on science and technology.

Bowmark Capital is backing the buy-out of Pirum Systems, the leading provider of post-trade market infrastructure technology for the global securities finance industry, from Five Arrows Principal Investments.  The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to complete in April 2019.

deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisations, has acquired Credence International, a UAE-based wealth management and advisory company.

Albemarle Street Partners (ASP), the specialist advice and investment management consultancy for advisers, has announced a merger which will allow it to benefit from greater investment research and portfolio management expertise, delivering an enhanced service to its clients.

ClearlySo, Europe’s leading impact investment bank, has announced that it has appointed Gillian Wilmot as chairman. 

Graham Bishop, Investment Director at Heartwood Investment Management comments on whether the UK is stockpiling ahead of Brexit. 

Praetura Asset Finance Group (PAF Group), an asset finance lender based in Manchester, today announces it has closed a £75m securitisation facility with NatWest Markets. The rated facility will allow PAF Group to expand its origination capacity, enabling growth in its loan book to provide up to £200m to SMEs across the UK.