Outsourcer Ipes names next CFO

Outsourcing company Ipes has appointed chartered accountant Adrian Gardner as its new chief financial officer.

Joining from FTSE 250 company International Personal Finance, Gardner brings with him experience in public companies and professional services firms. Before IPF, Gardner worked at asset management firm Lazard for 13 years, most recently as managing director in the telecommunications team.

Ipes, which helps private equity firms administer funds and keep investors informed, was bought for £50m by Silverfleet Capital, owner of the shoe retailer Office, in 2013. Silverfleet bought the firm from RJD Partners, which paid £25m for it in September 2008, backing a management buy-out.

Gardner said: “I am excited to be joining Ipes as it has a reputation in the market for being an innovative business delivering a high level of client service to the private equity sector. I am looking forward to helping steer the business into its next phase of growth.”

Ipes, founded in 1998 in Guernsey, now employs 240 people across five European offices. It has 175 clients and in 2015 reported an annual turnover of £21.9m.