Private equity firm marks 25 years with office expansion

MID-market private equity house LDC has boosted its presence in Yorkshire as the firm celebrates 25 years in the region.

LDC has taken up 3,600 sq ft on the fourth floor of landmark office development 1 City Square in Leeds.

The firm had previously occupied a smaller suite in the same building.

The new office will provide room for LDC’s five-strong investment team in the region, which is led by John Garner, and comprises director Steve Harrison, investment directors Dale Alderson and Joe Farren, and investment manager Jane Gilbert.

Garner said: “LDC has a proud history and investment track record in Yorkshire and the North East. Since our Leeds office was launched back in 1989, we have been committed to supporting the development of the region’s most ambitious businesses.

“Over the past five years LDC has backed more than 60 management teams and invested over £1.5 billion of capital. The success of our portfolio is testament to our long-term, relationship approach to private equity investment and the asset class’ ability to drive growth.”

In September, LDC supported the secondary buyout of Harrogate-based oil and environmental services business Adler and Allan. The transaction means that LDC has deployed over £70m of equity capital over the past 12 months in local businesses.

Other deals include a fresh capital injection for Gateshead-based Express Engineering in October 2013 and the management buyout of Castleford-based Stroma earlier this year.

Nationally, the private equity house has so far invested over £200m of capital across 12 businesses in 2014. It is targeting to invest up to £2bn over the next five years to back the growth potential of 80 to 100 ambitious leading British businesses across a broad range of sectors.

CBRE advised LDC on the move.