Funder and broker LDF Group has rebranded to White Oak UK, a month after completion of its acquisition by American asset-based lender White Oak.
The rebrand coincides with what White Oak said will be an expansion of business in the mid-market enterprises segment. The business has also hired Paul Roberts, who previously spent 13 years at Lombard and five at Yorkshire Bank, as head of specialist finance.
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Previously owned by private equity firm Cabot Square, LDF was sold to San Francisco-based White Oak Global Advisors in April for an undisclosed amount.
At the time, the investment advisory and financial services group called Europe “a large opportunity” for its commercial lending operations, and LDF added it would look to introduce US “product capability” in the British market.
The group has already unveiled one of the deals written under the White Oak UK label, a financing package to British Steel for £90m.
White Oak Global Advisors was set up in 2007, and acquired US-based Capital Business Finance in late 2016, rebranding it to White Oak Commercial Finance. The group’s lending business has struck deals of all ticket sizes, including a $550m (£419m, €470m) leaseback agreement with GE Capital Aviation Finance at the start of this year.
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By GlobalDataLDF wrote £511m in SME business in 2017, up 32% on the previous year, and last month marked £1bn in own-book lending. Managing director Peter Alderson said the company was aiming for £1bn in annual business by 2020.
The rebranded White Oak UK website lists asset finance, business loans, commercial mortgages and operating leases for education among its product offering.
Alderson said: “We are confident that through the increased levels of funding and the enhanced suite of financial products available to us through the wider group, we will be in an even stronger position to drive a positive change for small and mid-sized businesses.”
Andre Hakkak, White Oak Global Advisors chief executive, added: “As we look to grow our international presence, we are excited to achieve further success and scale in the UK through new working capital products.”
