Published : 9 years ago, on 25/05/2016

Livingstone’s Financial Services sector team has advised the shareholders of Vantage Finance, a specialist broker providing lending solutions for commercial mortgages, bridging finance and secured loans, on its fundraising from private equity house Chiltern Capital.

Founded in 2004 by the Managing Director, Lucy Hodge, Vantage Finance has established a position as a key introducer to a number of the challenger banks and specialist lenders, respected amongst the intermediary and lending community for its rigorous approach to quality and service delivery.

Chiltern Capital has taken a significant minority stake and will work closely with the team to build out the management structure and further develop the company’s sales and marketing function. David Barral, the former CEO of Aviva’s life insurance business joins the Board as Chairman. David will work closely with Vantage’s management team as the business continues to develop its distribution channels and capabilities.

Lucy Hodge, Managing Director at Vantage commented: “Over the last few years our sector has been subject to significant regulatory change, increasing compliance requirements and tightening lending rules. As a result, there has been a structural shift in the market with increasing penetration by challenger banks and specialist lenders. This has led to a growing demand for high quality intermediaries such as Vantage Finance to provide effective, compliant distribution.

“Working with Livingstone throughout this process has been an absolute pleasure.  Their experienced and committed team worked incredibly hard to help shape and agree a deal which worked for me and the business, and their support in collating and presenting the various information and data required has been invaluable.  Transactions of this nature can be very stressful and Livingstone was there every step of the way, which helped a great deal during those particularly challenging moments.  For anyone looking to explore their options in this field I cannot recommend Livingstone enough as a partner.”

Alex Sheffield, Partner at Chiltern Capital, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the team at Vantage Finance, providing strategic support and backing to an ambitious MD of a growing business in a sector with positive market dynamics.”

Alex John, Director at Livingstone, concluded: “We are delighted to have been able to help Vantage raise investment from Chiltern Capital. Lucy is an extremely impressive MD, and with Chiltern’s financial and strategic support, I am sure the company will go from strength to strength. I look forward to watching their future development with great interest.”