The British Business Bank, the UK’s economic development bank, has appointed Yorkshire-based Leandros Kalisperas as its first chief investment officer, with responsibility for all of the bank’s investment activities.
Further, to facilitate the creation of the new British Growth Partnership, the bank has established a new entity, BBB Patient Capital Advisory Services, and Ian Connatty has been appointed as its first managing partner, leading its regulated investment advisory and fundraising activities.
Kalisperas will join the British Business Bank in January 2025 from the West Yorkshire Pension Fund where he is chief investment officer.
Prior to that he held senior roles at abrdn and the Universities Superannuation Scheme, bringing 20 years of public and private sector financial services experience across banking, pensions and asset management.
Based in the bank’s Sheffield headquarters, he will take on responsibility for the entirety of the British Business Bank’s investment business which includes the bank’s two commercial subsidiaries, British Business Investments and British Patient Capital.
His scope will also include the recently launched Nations and Regions Investment Funds, the Enterprise Capital Funds programme, as well as sourcing and delivering investments for the new British Growth Partnership.
Louis Taylor, CEO at the British Business Bank, said: “Last month, the Chancellor announced a package of measures that has the potential to unlock billions of pounds of additional investment for the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative companies, thereby boosting the economy and providing a legacy for future generations of pensioners.
“As we build the capabilities we need to respond to these new opportunities we are fortunate to have recruited such a strong talent for the bank.
“I am pleased that we will benefit from Leandros’s strong track record in investment management and extensive experience in managing large, complex, private market portfolios.”
Kalisperas said: “I am thrilled to be joining the British Business Bank to lead its investment teams at such a pivotal moment in its development.
“The bank’s dedication to fostering economic growth across the UK is already evident in its strong investment capabilities in both London and Sheffield.
“I look forward to collaborating with our partners to further enhance these efforts and align with the evolving needs of private capital.”
Kalisperas holds an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford, and an MBA from INSEAD.
Ian Connatty
He also recently completed the Oxford Fintech Programme at the University of Oxford.
Connatty, who has been appointed managing partner of BBB Patient Capital Advisory Services, is currently the deputy chief investment officer of the British Business Bank.
He will start in the new role immediately as the British Growth Partnership gears up for launch in 2025 subject to regulatory approval.
The role is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of the partnership, overseeing its operational management and regulatory compliance, and spearheading fundraising and investor relations activities.
As managing partner, Connatty will also serve on the BBB Patient Capital Advisory Services Board, contributing to the partnership’s governance and strategic oversight.
Taylor said: “Ian has been instrumental in building British Patient Capital’s extensive track record, market access and position as the UK’s largest domestic investor in venture and venture growth.
“I am happy that he is taking on the role of managing partner, British Growth Partnership to help unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of domestic investment for the UK’s high growth businesses.”
Connatty added: “It is an honour to be taking on the role of managing partner, British Growth Partnership at such an exciting time for the Bank.
“I look forward to establishing and building the British Growth Partnership, as we work towards a regulated business, with the aim of making investments by the second half of 2025.”
Prior to joining British Patient Capital in 2018, he joined the bank’s predecessor, Capital for Enterprise Ltd in 2009 and was part of the team who set up the bank.
He has a particular focus on direct, co-investment and venture capital fund investing and played a key role in the deployment of the Venture Capital Catalyst, which formed the seed portfolio of British Patient Capital.
Prior to joining Capital for Enterprise Ltd, he worked in corporate finance at technology company Infinity SDC and in financial modelling at the Royal Bank of Scotland.
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The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC) has welcomed a health innovation specialist to strengthen its health expertise ahead of a new health and wellbeing innovation centre that will be opening on the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus in 2025.
Dr James Allen joins the team to advance ongoing efforts of the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership to build a pipeline of organisations wanting to connect with the health and wellbeing innovation centre and the wider National Health Innovation Campus to help drive innovation across the region.
Situated on the top floor of the second building on the National Health Innovation Campus and due for completion at the end of 2025, the new health and wellbeing innovation centre will act as an incubator for local entrepreneurs and growing companies in health and wellbeing arenas.
It will include offices, labs, co-working and event spaces and a Maker Space and Visualisation Suite offering access to bespoke equipment and facilities.
Allen will be responsible for establishing and developing the maker space and supporting new enterprises through technology adoption, including AR/VR, data analytics, proof of concept, AI, CAD and additive manufacturing, as well as collaborative R&D with academic researchers from the University of Huddersfield.
An interim maker space is operating out of the 3M BIC until the new Centre opens.
With a PhD from the University of Huddersfield, Allen brings a wealth of expertise in design processes and manufacturing methods.
Over the past seven years, he has gained extensive experience in industry working across various design stages, from research and development to manufacture and installation.
His PhD focused on design for wellbeing, and has contributed to international research collaborations, giving him a strong understanding of both academic and industry research environments.
He said: “I am thrilled to join the 3M BIC and contribute to the development of the new health and wellbeing innovation centre.
“This is a great opportunity to support the growth of pioneering health and wellbeing enterprises by leveraging cutting-edge technologies like additive manufacturing and virtual reality.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with entrepreneurs and researchers to drive innovation that will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing sectors across the region.”
Sue Cooke, CEO of the 3M BIC, said: “We are pleased to welcome James to the 3M BIC team. His passion for driving innovation within the health sector, combined with his deep expertise in design and manufacturing, aligns perfectly with our vision for the new health and wellbeing innovation centre.
“James’ role will be instrumental in helping us foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, businesses and academic researchers to accelerate advancements in health technology and product development.”
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Steve Pittham, the longest-serving employee at York Handmade Brick Company, has retired.
He joined York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, when it was formed in in 1988. As works manager, he was responsible for running the company’s factory.
Pittham originally worked at York Handmade’s site in the 1970s when it was a pipe manufacturing works, owned by Shepherd Construction. He left to become a bricklayer, but returned when York Handmade took over the site.
David Armitage, chairman, said: “Steve has made a fantastic contribution to York Handmade in the 36 years he has been with us.
“Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he has been tremendous to work with, playing a key part in our growth over the years. I wish Steve the happiest of retirements. We will all miss him very much.”
Managing director Guy Armitage added: “It has been a huge honour to work with Steve for the past 18 years. I was 12 when the company was bought in 1988. He has always been very supportive of my involvement in the business for which I am hugely grateful.
“He has overseen the just about every development in the factory in that time and much of the success of the company has been due to Steve having the ability to transform ideas into reality.
“Every challenge is met by an enormous amount of enthusiasm, no mountain is ever too high.”
Pittham explained: “The production process at our factory, and consequently my role, has changed dramatically over the years.
“The installation of two brand-new kiln in 2000 and 2002 simplified things, with the increase in machinery meaning there was less hard physical work to do.
“Then, three years ago, we invested in a £1.5m overhaul and renewal of our manufacturing process, which has speeded up production, facilitated two brand-new products and increased efficiency.
“This was a transformational move, by far the biggest and most significant in the company’s history.
“Our revolutionary new manufacturing line has enabled us to manufacture high-quality, UK-made bricks for major developments like The Circle in Manchester and the 25 Baker Street in London’s West End and it reflects our commitment to the brick industry.
“Overall, I loved my job so much and I looked forward to coming to work every day, which is pretty rare these days. Clay is, and aways has been, in my blood. Retirement is going to be a challenge, but I’m going to make sure I enjoy it.
“I will watch the company’s progress over the coming years with real interest and I am confident it will go from strength-to-strength.”
Pittham is succeeded as works manager by Mark Todd.
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The UK’s fourth largest motor retailer, Vertu Motors, has appointed Emma Spedding to oversee its Vertu Jaguar Land Rover Guiseley dealership.
Spedding joins Vertu after a 15-year career in automotive, where she advanced from sales executive through several promotions at several dealerships across different brands within the Volkswagen Audi Group.
The Vertu Jaguar dealership, in the White Cross area, provides the full range of sales, after-sales, and servicing facilities.
It employs 55 colleagues across its departments, many of whom have extensive experience with Jaguar Land Rover.
Spedding said: “I am pleased to join Vertu Motors Land Rover Guiseley. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and it’s been great to get to know my colleagues.
“I was attracted to Vertu Motors because it is known within the industry for having an outstanding reputation for excellence, continuous training, and opportunities for professional growth.
“I couldn’t think of a better brand to be working with than Jaguar Land Rover. Absolutely every single step of a customer’s journey with us is plotted and considered.
“I am really looking forward to getting to know our customers when we host the first event on 14 – 18th of November.”
Leon Caruso, divisional director, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Emma to the Vertu Jaguar Land Rover Guiseley team.
“She’s had a great career so far and I’m pleased she has chosen to join Vertu to take that next significant step up the career ladder.
“Emma’s extensive experience and dedication to customer service align perfectly with our values. We are confident that she will be a great asset to our dealership.”
