Private equity firm Foresight has appointed Phil Sampson to its team managing the £50m equity element of the British Business Bank’s £130m Investment Fund for Wales (IFW).
Based in Foresight’s Cardiff office, Mr Sampson brings extensive experience in supporting high-growth SMEs and will be instrumental in identifying investment opportunities to back the growth of indigenous firms.
Prior to joining Foresight he held a role at PwC, supporting on the Cardiff Capital Region’s £50m equity investment fund. His appointment comes as the fund prepares to celebrate its second anniversary this November, marking a significant milestone in its mission to drive regional growth and innovation.
The IFW fund from the Ƶ Government’s economic development bank can make investments of up to £5m per deal. Its most recent investment was £1.5m into Bots For That, an accountancy-focused automation company, a joint investment with Development Bank of Wales.
Claire Alvarez, partner at Foresight Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Phil to the team, a well-known and respected member of the local investment community. His leadership will be key to delivering the objectives of the Investment Fund for Wales. We look forward to working closely with Welsh entrepreneurs and stakeholders to support companies with high growth potential.”
Mr Sampson added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Foresight at such an exciting time. Wales is home to a vibrant community of SMEs, and the Fund presents a unique opportunity to help these businesses realise their potential. I look forward to partnering with founders and management teams to drive innovation and growth across the region”
JCP Solicitors
Swansea headquartered law firm JCP Solicitor has promoted Ben Cresswell, Tomas Davies and Zoe Fletcher, strengthening its teams in commercial property, inheritance and trust disputes, and corporate and commercial.
All three take on senior associate roles Mr Cresswell, based in Swansea, specialises in property matters, having joined JCP Solicitors in 2019 as a licensed conveyancer. In 2021 he became a legal advisor in the firm’s commercial property team and his career now continues to progress as a senior associate. He provides tailored, expert advice to clients dealing with freeholds, leaseholds and remortgages for those with commercial property portfolios.
Mr Davies joined JCP in 2019 as an undergraduate legal assistant, progressing through to his training contract and qualification into the inheritance and trusts disputes team in 2023. Based primarily at the firm’s Carmarthen office his promotion recognises his specialist knowledge of complex cases, advising clients on all areas of trust and inheritance disputes, cohabitation disputes, and proprietary estoppel.
Ms Fletcher qualified into firm’s company and commercial team in 2023, having first joined the firm for her training contract in 2021. A fluent Welsh speaker, she is experienced in corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, sales, restructures, and partnership agreements. Based in the firm’s Cardiff office, she has advised on multiple high-value deals, supporting clients through complex transactional matters.
Hayley Davies, director and CEO at JCP Solicitors, said: “Our people are our greatest asset, and we are immensely proud to welcome Ben, Tomas and Zoe to their new senior roles. Investing in our team’s development is a priority for us, as we see the value in supporting people to achieve their career goals while driving business growth across the business in all locations. These senior promotions further strengthen our commercial and private client offerings across south and west Wales.”
Hugh James
Law firm Hugh James has appointed Mike Bagshaw, former managing director of rail’s MTR Elizabeth Line running across London, as a strategic advisor to the firm’s rail sector team.
He brings over 20 years of leadership in the Ƶ and European rail sector, most recently as Managing Director of MTR Elizabeth Line where he oversaw the final stage implementation of London’s transformative Elizabeth Line. He has delivered multi-million-pound operations, record passenger growth and improved customer satisfaction, while leading large-scale teams through complex projects. His appointment represents a significant boost to Hugh James’ existing sector-specific insight and expertise.
Building on more than a decade of advising major rail operators, infrastructure bodies and the supply chain, the Hugh James’ rail team is recognised for its specialist legal support. The firm is one of only ten suppliers appointed under the Crown Commercial Service’s Framework RM6240, which can be used by the public sector to access expert advice on rail issues across England and Wales, and advises Transport for Wales on employment, commercial and procurement law. In the past year, the team has hosted major industry events with partners including Network Rail, GWR, and the Railway Industry Association, underlining its role as a connector across the rail sector.
Mr Bagshaw said:“I am delighted to be working with Hugh James’ rail sector team as strategic advisor. The rail sector is entering an exciting period of both change and growth and Hugh James is well-positioned to support clients in all parts of the industry with its wealth and breadth of expertise.”
Aled Walters, partner and head of rail at Hugh James said: “Mike’s appointment underlines our commitment to the rail sector and reflects the reputation our Rail Team has built for delivering expert, commercially focused legal support. As a full-service firm, we’re able to draw on expertise across a wide range of practice areas, enabling us to provide holistic, end-to-end support to operators, franchises and the wider rail supply chain.
“ Our team also works closely with colleagues in complementary sectors such as energy and renewables, hospitality and leisure, and the public dector, ensuring we deliver tailored advice that meets the sector’s evolving needs. We’re excited to welcome Mike on board and look forward to working with him to strengthen our support for clients across the rail industry.”
Hexa Finance
Newport-based Hexa Finance has announced the appointment of Lindsay Porter as senior growth advisor for Scotland, marking the latest step in the firm’s Ƶ-wide expansion.
Mr Potter brings more than 25 years of experience in commercial finance, having held senior roles with some of the industry’s biggest names. He spent the past 18 years at BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, most recently as Area Sales Manager, following earlier positions with BT Financial Services and GE Capital. Over that time, he has built long-standing relationships with brokers, clients and funders across Scotland and the wider Ƶ, earning a reputation for his market knowledge and focus on customer service.
His appointment reflects Hexa Finance’s continued growth across the Ƶ, with the firm investing in experienced talent to meet rising demand and strengthen its local presence in key regions.
Mr Porter said: “Joining Hexa feels like the right next step after more than 25 years in the funder space. I’ve watched the business go from strength to strength and establish itself as one of the most dynamic brokers in the market.
“Scotland has a thriving and diverse business community that is looking for fresh ways to fund growth, and Hexa has the scale, expertise and agility to deliver that. I’m excited to bring my experience to the team, work closely with clients and funders, and play a part in building a stronger presence for Hexa in Scotland and across the Ƶ.”
Stu Mason, co-founder and commercial director at Hexa Finance, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lindsay to Hexa. His track record with leading funders and his deep knowledge of the Scottish market make him an outstanding addition to the team. Having someone with Lindsay’s experience on the ground is a significant step for us as we continue to expand our national presence.
“Over the past few years we’ve grown rapidly, but we’ve done it by being very deliberate about who we bring in. It’s about adding people who not only understand the industry but also share our focus on long-term relationships and delivering real value to clients.
“Lindsay’s appointment is a clear signal of our commitment to Scotland and to building a team that can support businesses right across the Ƶ.”
Hexa was founded during lockdown by entrepreneurs Ben Davies and Mr Mason. The business has since grown to a 22-strong team and has now assisted over 8,500 businesses across over 30 sectors.
WCS Agency
Cardiff-based marketing and publishing venture WCS Agency has been boosted with four new appointments to its senior management team.
Joining founder Chelsea Pinches-Burrowes and chief operating officer Connor Pinches-Burrowes, are Stacey Fordham-Grey, James Cavanagh, Rosie Eastwood and Luigi Caramella.
Ms Fordham-Grey, who takes up the role of marketing and sales director, brings over 10 years of marketing and sales leadership to the role, and will focus on new business development for the agency. Mr Cavanagh, digital director, brings more than 15 years experience delivering results for a number of well-known brands. He leads on paid media and web.
Ms Eastwood, head of strategy, brings her expertise in crafting brand and marketing strategies. Mr Caramella, creative lead, has overseen the redesign of agency’s Cardiff Life Magazine, which has seen a significant increase to its readership. He leads a team of designers and content creators.
From a one-woman business writing marketing strategies in her home office the business now employs 18 with the aim of becoming a multi-million-pound revenue business.
ICC Wales
ICC Wales has announced the appointment of Craig Bingham as its new managing director, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the venue as it continues to grow its presence in the global business events sector.
Mr Bingham joins the Newport-based venue from Wyndham Hotels, where he was head of global sales and sales operations EMEA. He brings extensive experience from leading venues including the QEII Centre, Hilton Metropole, Park Plaza, Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, and leading MICE operations for Aimbridge Hospitality EMEA. He is also an active member of industry association beam.
Julie Hammond, chief executive of ICC Wales and the Celtic Collection said: “Craig’s appointment comes at an exciting time for ICC Wales. With his extensive experience across leading venues and international hospitality brands, he will play a pivotal role in driving innovation, enhancing our service offering, and ensuring every event we host meets the highest standards of excellence. I am delighted to welcome Craig to the team.”
Mr Bingham said: “I’m thrilled to join ICC Wales at such an important stage in its growth. The venue has an outstanding reputation for hosting world-class events, and I look forward to working with the team to build on this, delivering exceptional experiences for organisers and delegates, and expanding ICC Wales’ presence in the global business events market.”
