Private equity investor LDC has strengthened its Yorkshire and North East team with the appointment of senior corporate finance specialist, Gareth Marshall, as an Investment Director.
The expansion is part of LDC’s nationwide pledge to invest GBP1.2 billion of equity in UK small and mid-sized companies over the next three years, with Yorkshire and the North East seen as an important region of opportunity.
Gareth previously spent circa eight years at PwC, where he was M&A Director in the firm’s corporate finance team, advising on mid-market transactions across the pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial products and chemicals sectors.
He began his career with KPMG where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the audit practice, before moving into its corporate finance division.
At LDC, Gareth will be responsible for identifying investment opportunities, leading transactions and supporting LDC’s portfolio of companies, which includes Wakefield-based games developer Team17, Halifax-based global technology business SSP and Darlington-based cycling parts and accessories distributor, ZyroFisher.
John Garner, Director and head of LDC in Yorkshire & North East, says: “We’ve seen a busy period of activity across the region with investments in Team17, PAW Structures and ZyroFisher and the successful sale of several companies. We’ve also continued our support for a growing portfolio of fast-growing, ambitious businesses. Looking ahead, Yorkshire and the North East is an important region for LDC and it’s vital we bring the right people on board with the experience to help us unlock this potential – Gareth’s experience and expertise are the perfect fit for our expanding team.”
Gareth Marshall, Investment Director at LDC, says: “The region is increasingly recognised by investors as a source of growth potential and private equity has an important role to play. LDC’s commitment opens the door to work with the some of the most exciting companies across the region, and I’m looking forward to building on my previous experience in the region to help us deliver our pledge.”
Over the last 12 months, LDC’s Yorkshire and North East team has completed three high profile transactions, including a GBP20m investment in HR technology developer Mitrefinch, a GBP16.5m investment in games developer Team17 – recently named the region’s Growth Management Team of the Year at the BVCA Awards – and a major investment in PAW, the UK market leader in the design, manufacture and installation of pre-engineered light gauge building systems.
It has also sold investments in builders’ merchant MKM and leading independent leasing, fleet management and vehicle outsourcing provider Zenith.
