Industry moves round up: Recent appointments at Just, MotoNovo Finance and more

Jonathan Branchett, Just 

Jonathan Branchett joins Just, the enforcement integrator, as head of enforcement partnerships and performance. He will manage the existing specialist team and oversee the day-to-day activity of the enforcement network. 

Branchett has 13 years of experience and was previously the head enforcement at Bristow & Sutor. He said: “I am really excited about what Just and its network of suppliers can achieve.” 

Natalie Tate, Just Director of operations said: “Jonathan joins my existing team that already has experts from some of the largest traditional firms in the UK to help us deliver a different approach to how clients procure, manage and oversee multiple enforcement suppliers”. 

Karl Werner, MotoNovo Finance 

Karl Werner has been appointed as managing director at MotoNovo Finance. He replaces long-serving chief executive Mark Standish who has decided to leave the business having overseen the integration of MotoNovo within Aldermore Group. 

Having led MotoNovo for over twenty-two years, Standish has opted to pursue career opportunities outside the business. He said: “I am delighted that Karl has been appointed to take the helm as managing director and look forward to watching the business continue its commitment to innovation and change under his leadership." 

Werner said: "We demonstrated our agility through the pandemic, standing side-by-side with our dealers and customers. As the world seeks to recover, challenge and change are sure to feature prominently in the automotive and financial services markets in an increasingly digital, customer-centric environment. I am genuinely excited by the opportunities that change will afford us to continue growing." 

Nick Johns, Sarah Stroud and Luke Egan, Pink Pig Loans 

Nick Johns (sales director), Sarah Stroud (director) and Luke Egan (bridging and development director) all take up board positions and will run the business with managing director, James Rainbird. 

Johns joined Pink Pig in 2017 as sales manager helping to grow the business, improve efficiencies, and develop new and existing adviser relationships. He has worked in financial services for 13 years and spent the last nine years working in the specialist finance sector. 

Stroud joined the business as an underwriter in 2013 and progressed into the sales teams to her most recent role as senior business development. She has worked for 28 years in financial services in a variety of roles including mortgage adviser, underwriter, and various compliance positions. 

Egan joins Pink Pig with immediate effect moving from Pure Property Finance where he was head of the specialist property finance team. He previously worked for Woolwich/Barclays as a mortgage specialist before joining Pure in 2014. 

Pink Pig Loans provides specialist finance packaging for financial advisers covering a range of product sectors including first-charge, second-charge, and bridging and commercial. 

The new board directors will support Rainbird in achieving a number of new projects and taking advantage of a number of new opportunities within the specialist finance space. 

Rainbird said: “Today (August 4 2021) marks an important milestone in the development of the business with three highly-experienced and talented individuals joining me at board level in order to help the business move onto its next level and to help achieve our ambitious growth plans.” 

Sam Percival, Nucleus Commercial Finance 

Sam Percival has joined Nucleus Commercial Finance as business development manager for London and the southeast. The appointment comes at a crucial time as SMEs show increased demand for finance following the removal of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. 

Percival, who previously worked for Nucleus in 2016, rejoins after serving as regional director at asset-backed lender Ultimate Finance for four years. Before these positions, he held various regional sales roles for lenders Aldermore Bank and Credit Agricole. 

He will be responsible for driving growth and building SME relationships in London and the wider area, working across the whole of Nucleus’ product range, from Cash Flow Finance to asset-back loans. He said: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining as the business continues to ramp up innovation across its products.” 

Chief executive Chirag Shah, said: “We’re delighted to have Sam return to Nucleus. Having always focused on the southeast, he brings with him a strong network and passion for helping SMEs access financing that fits their needs.”