The former director of Digital Catapult in Northern Ireland has joined Catalyst as its Director of Strategic Business Development, a new role created to help Catalyst develop and strengthen strategic partnerships across industry, academia and government.

Catalyst is an independent, not-for-profit organisation focused on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, supporting transformative businesses and developing Northern Ireland’s tech industry.

Innovate Finance, the industry body representing the UK FinTech sector, has kicked off 2022 with a further strengthening of its Board, including the appointment of three new non-executive directors.  This follows on from the permanent appointment of CEO Janine Hirt, who took on the role of Interim CEO in May 2021 and was appointed as CEO in autumn 2021.

Circularity Capital LLP has announced the appointment of Nicola Keen as Operating Principal.

Private equity firm Palatine has announced a raft of promotions reflecting the team’s contribution over the past 12 months, which saw record levels of investment and exit activity.

Vala Capital, the entrepreneur-led venture capital firm, has appointed Lian Michelson, a successful entrepreneur and experienced angel investor, as investment director for its EIS portfolios. The appointment comes as Vala launches a new tranche for its Sustainable Growth EIS portfolio – targeting small companies focused on sustainable solutions.

MMC Ventures, the leading UK Series A investor, has promoted three individuals to its senior leadership team, and added a partner, following a record year in 2021 – during which MMC’s portfolio companies raised more than $1bn in funding.

Guernsey Finance has strengthened its Strategy & Technical team, appointing Henry Freeman as Strategic Advisor.

The application window for Sheffield Hallam University’s latest Wellbeing Accelerator has opened for start-up businesses seeking fully-funded R&D support to bring new health products and services to market. Participants receive up to £20,000 of support to accelerate product development and market access activities.  

Experienced investor, lender and adviser Stephen Murray has joined YFM Equity Partners as investment director

Inflexion Private Equity Partners has launched a Healthcare Advisory Board to help shape its investment strategy and drive value across healthcare investments, both in the UK and internationally.

The Startup Race Accelerator has launched a call for submissions for its hackathon, a new opportunity in advance of its £10,000 Startup Race, which kicks off in early February 2022. Aspiring Entrepreneurs can access its free accelerator programme on Leanstack to prepare for the opportunity to recruit fellow co-founders during The Startup Race’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Hackathon and start growth hacking as a team to win a £10,000 cash prize.

The renowned University of Cambridge Impulse Programme is offering its entrepreneurial course to help organisations develop an intrapreneurial ethos and accelerate innovative change.