Palatine Private Equity portfolio company MoneyPlus Group is moving to Manchester city centre.

MoneyPlus has agreed to take 21,500 sq ft at Bruntwood’s Riverside scheme on New Bailey Street, Manchester.  It is the largest office letting in Manchester city centre so far this year and involves relocating the business from Altrincham.

OBI Property advised MoneyPlus on the relocation and Riverside will provide the base for the business to continue its rapid expansion.  MoneyPlus Group will move into the £5 million refurbished complex during the summer.

Palatine backed the management buyout of MoneyPlus in June 2011 since the time of the deal they have completed and integrated four acquisitions and continue to seek further bolt on opportunities. MoneyPlus operates under a number of trading names, including Chiltern, The Debt People and Hamilton Locke. The business offers a range of services to improve a consumer’s financial situation including debt management plans and IVAs.

Chris Davis, CEO, MoneyPlus Group said: “The move to Riverside marks a significant step in the growth of MoneyPlus Group.  We have exciting plans to further grow the business and working with a property owner such as Bruntwood provides the perfect partner to accommodate our future growth.  Riverside provides a stunning base for our staff and we are excited to be moving to such a great scheme.”

Palatine sponsored Broadheath Central Falcons under 13s are celebrating lifting the Division 3 Cup after beating Wythenshawe Town Tigers 4 -1 in the final on Sunday.  The match, played in very inclement weather, saw Broadheath take the lead but both teams go in level at half time with the scores 1-1.  However, 3 goals for Broadheath in the second half saw them to victory.

Congratulations to the manager Nick Barlow and all the team.

Palatine Private Equity portfolio company WEALTH at work has announced the appointment of leading pensions expert, Leslie Huss-Smickler.

The former BT Pensions Policy Manager has more than 30 years experience in the pensions industry and will head up the WEALTH at work retirement division. Leslie is a Fellow of both the Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII) and Pensions Management Institute (FPMI) and brings with him a wealth of experience in pensions and retirement.

WEALTH at work is a leading provider of financial education and employee wealth management services in the workplace. WEALTH at work provides a service which helps employees to understand how to maximise the value of their benefits by providing financial education tailored to the needs of individual companies and of different employee groups within those companies. This is then supported by a flexible savings platform and investment advice service.

Palatine backed the secondary buyout of WEALTH at work in October 2011, providing equity funding alongside the management team led by David Cassidy.

David Cassidy, CEO, WEALTH at work, said: “I am thrilled that Leslie has agreed to join us. He will be instrumental in working with employers and helping to plan and deliver a retirement income options service, helping to make a difference to people’s lives and their financial future in retirement. After all, retirement is probably the biggest financial decision they will ever make!”

Leslie Huss-Smickler said: “I am delighted to have joined WEALTH at work. My new role as Head of Retirement Services will allow me to develop further WEALTH at work’s market leading services and ensure employees fully understand their options at retirement.”

Palatine Private Equity has appointed Steve Donaldson to the new role of Head of Portfolio. Steve will work closely with the Palatine team in managing their portfolio companies’ organic and acquisitive growth plans.

Steve is well known to the Partners at Palatine as he was previously Finance Director of Card Warehouse Group, the greeting card retailer Gary Tipper and Ed Fazakerley backed in a £14m buyout whilst with Murray Johnstone. Steve was a member of the executive team that delivered a 165 store rollout programme and took the business to the number three position in the UK greeting card retail industry. He was also a key driver in the successful sale of Card Warehouse, in May 2003, which generated a 2.5x return for Murray Johnstone.

More recently Steve spent five years as Finance Director of private equity-backed Americana International Group, the company behind fashion brands Bench and Hooch. Revenues at Americana grew from £35m to £80m during his time at the company and he was involved in a number of projects, including a refinancing of the business and the £192m secondary buyout.

Steve spent his early career in practice including more than 10 years in corporate finance at both Deloitte and BDO Binder Hamlyn.

Palatine completed three buyouts in 2011 with the new additions, MoneyPlus Group, Wealth at Work and Selection Services all having plans to grow both organically and via acquisitions.

Steve Donaldson, Head of Portfolio at Palatine Private Equity, commented: “Having spent more than 10 years as a Finance Director in private equity backed businesses, I appreciate the impact such funding can have on growth and performance and also the demands on a business and management team as it grows. I am looking forward to working with the Palatine portfolio companies and supporting their ambitious expansion strategies.”

Gary Tipper, Managing Partner at Palatine Private Equity, commented: “Steve’s industry experience in leading businesses through periods of rapid growth will be a valuable asset for our portfolio companies. Having known and worked with Steve for almost 30 years, we know that he is the right man to help us support the growth plans of our portfolio.”

Sonya joined Palatine in 2010 and has an MSc in Corporate and Financial Management from Lund University in Sweden and a BSc in International Economic Relations.

Johnathan has a son and daughter and is a Manchester United season ticket holder.

James is a rugby union fan and a keen golfer.

Beth is a Formula 1 fan and supports Manchester United.

Jonny lives in Bristol and is a keen fencer, rugby fan and outdoor pursuits enthusiast.

Steve works with investee companies in undertaking operational and systems improvements and the assessment of acquisition opportunities for the buy and build strategies.