Oakbrook secures £130m loan to boost growth

Oakbrook has secured a £130 million debt funding facility from funds managed by AB CarVal and NatWest to accelerate growth and support financial inclusion through its innovative financial solutions.

The three-year facility will support the continued growth of the company’s personal lending business and help more customers access credit they can manage. The funds will enable Oakbrook to serve a wide range of customers across the UK through its direct-to-consumer channels. The financing will be used to support new loan originations and continued product development as the lender continues to simplify and personalise borrowing for even more people.

Ed Birch, CFO at Oakbrook, stated that the financing highlights the confidence that institutional partners have in the company’s mission to make borrowing simpler and more inclusive. Their backing strengthens the ability to deliver responsible credit solutions for UK consumers while supporting sustainable growth.

Jon Painter, CEO of Oakbrook, added that the partnership with AB CarVal enables the business to grow its lending reach while staying true to its purpose. It also allows them to build on the strong relationship established with AB CarVal in 2024 and further expand their customer offering in partnership with NatWest.

Strategic Partnership

Robert Sinclair, Managing Director with AB CarVal, said they are delighted to support Oakbrook with this new facility to help them continue to expand consumer access to affordable credit in a simplified way. An important part of the asset-based finance strategy is partnering with high-calibre originators and management teams to fund in-demand consumer credit solutions into the real economy.

Manuel Bercovici, Director at NatWest, expressed pleasure in supporting Oakbrook in its mission to make borrowing simpler and more inclusive. The facility demonstrates the bank’s commitment to backing innovative financial solutions that empower customers and promote responsible lending across the UK.

Located at Scale Space Nottingham, Oakbrook is part of the portfolio of businesses supported by Blenheim Chalcot, the venture builder. The company operates an in-house technology and analytics consumer lending platform that supports a multi-product, multi-brand strategy and digitally enabled customer services.

It brings together people with deep expertise in consumer lending, advanced analytics and forward-thinking technologists, with a shared belief that there is a better way to do consumer lending by being more personalised and customer focused.

For many people handling the UK credit market, the ability to access funds through a streamlined digital process can make a significant difference in managing day-to-day expenses or planning for larger purchases. By focusing on responsible lending, the lender aims to provide a safety net for those who might otherwise struggle to find suitable financial products.