Innovate Finance, the industry body representing UK FinTech, has named Louise Smith as its new Chair.

Louise Smith is Lloyd’s first Chief Digital Officer, and is responsible for the programme of work that supports Lloyd’s to further build its digital capabilities and offering across the insurance industry. She is nationally and internationally recognised as a thought leader on digital innovation, disruptive technologies and the emerging workforce.  She is currently laying the groundwork to ensure Lloyd’s has a strong, consistent digital approach in its Future at Lloyd’s programme of work.  

ILC Therapeutics, a UK-based biotechnology company and pioneer in the discovery and development of a new class of interferon drugs, has announced the strengthening of its Board and Management as it prepares to advance its lead novel hybrid interferon drug candidate Alfacyte™.

New alternative lender Blazehill Capital has announced the appointment of Jake Hyman as Business Development Director, 

Financial Services Capital, the private equity investor dedicated to the European financial services sector, has appointed Kevin Cunningham, an insurance specialist with more than 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry, as its newest Partner.

NorthEdge portfolio business Altia has been named a Queen’s Award for Enterprise winner for International Trade.

YFM Equity Partners is continuing to expand its team with the appointment of Tiffany Young as investment manager, based at its London office. Tiffany will join YFM’s investment team to support the origination and execution of new investments across both growth capital and buyout opportunities.

Two of Wales' leading entrepreneurs have been appointed as non-executive directors of the Development Bank of Wales. 

NorthEdge has made a series of appointments and promotions across its Manchester and Leeds offices.

The lower mid-market private equity specialist, which manages more than £900m of funds, has promoted Partner Prem Mohan Raj to Chief Operating Officer. Prem joined the business in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer and has since played a key part in the firm’s success. His new role will see him take on increased responsibility for Investor Relations and fundraising alongside his responsibilities for finance, operations and marketing.

Bowmark Capital has announced a series of promotions.  Antonia Cheong and Tom Elliott become partners while Tom Keen has been promoted to investment director and Alex McRae to investment manager.

A group of leading entrepreneurs and investors have joined forces with the sector body for British brands to reach first close for a £50 million venture capital fund that will support some of the most exciting purpose-led brands and related technology companies in the premium consumer space.

The West Midlands has cemented its place as a strategically significant hub for levelling up FinTech in the UK with its appointment to the FinTech National Network – the UK’s first network connecting FinTech hubs and supporting nationwide financial innovation.

Manchester-based independent debt fund Tosca Debt Capital (TDC) has appointed Mat Deering as a partner to further develop and grow its investment portfolio.