Today’s news in brief – 24/2/2025
Grant Thornton has introduced a dedicated Entrepreneurial and SME Services team to support fast-growing businesses and startups. Led by partners Tim Taylor and Gareth Hitchmough, alongside senior colleagues, the team will offer personalized guidance to entrepreneurs, focusing on areas such as talent retention, AI adoption, international expansion, and tax-efficient exits. The firm’s local expertise and global network aim to help SMEs navigate complex financial and regulatory challenges. Taylor emphasized the importance of SMEs in driving economic growth, while Hitchmough highlighted Grant Thornton’s ability to scale and adapt services to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
TC Group Leeds has undergone a management buyout (MBO) with Andy Nichols and Neil Potter joining founding partner Mark Hunter as equity partners. Nichols, with 20+ years in financial services, and Potter, an expert in audit and accountancy, will help drive TC Group’s growth strategy in Northern England. The firm aims to expand its service offering and market presence. COO Steve Watts highlighted the importance of succession planning, while Hunter expressed confidence in the new leadership’s vision. The move aligns with TC Group’s long-term strategy for expansion and continued support of businesses across the region.
Evelyn Partners has appointed Kelly Klein as a new partner in its valuation and modelling practice, which is set to rebrand as S&W. Klein brings 19 years of experience in financial, tax, and commercial valuations, having previously held senior roles at Interpath and PwC. She has worked extensively in both the UK and US. Head of Valuation, Olivier Pecon, emphasized Klein’s expertise will be instrumental in the firm’s expansion, as the team has doubled in size over three years. Klein praised Evelyn Partners’ client-focused culture and expressed enthusiasm for scaling the firm’s valuation and modelling services.
Interpath Advisory has helped Reward Funding secure £360m in refinancing, supporting its goal to expand its loan book to £500m over three years. The deal includes a £100m securitization, a £150m senior debt facility, and £110m from existing partners. Reward, which has provided £1.2bn in funding since 2010, specializes in asset-secured lending for SMEs and property investors. Director Jack Dutton highlighted the importance of flexible capital in Reward’s success, while Nick Smith, Managing Director, emphasized how the funding will enable SMEs to grow amid economic uncertainty, reinforcing Reward’s commitment to agile financial support.
