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We are iO
Unlocking access for investors to alternative lending markets

 

 

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Introduction

iO Finance Partners (iO) is a business bringing together a diverse group of alternative lenders under one company to support and grow the UK
economy and SME market

There is a real drive from the government and specifically the pension fund market to support UK PLC. As the traditional high street banks are retrenching from lending to the SME sector and regulatory pressures are pushing them further
away, iO is filling this funding gap.

There are 5.5 million UK SMEs, contributing 50% of UK GDP. These SMEs do not have the access to finance that larger corporates do. iO is determined to level the playing field.

The investment proposition completely aligns iO with investors. iO only receives money out of the structure following any defaults being cured. Resulting in a very secure, zero cost investment, with predictable returns and no volatility.

iO is the platform which provides UK PLC with much needed access to finance, through an attractive investment proposition for investors looking for stable and predictable income.

The Merchant Bank Reimagined

Creating a one-stop private credit platform through a buy and build of alternative finance providers to facilitate investors' access to the under-served SME lending sector and beyond.

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Compelling SME Market

The opportunity exploits an underserved and fragmented market plagued by reliance on expensive and limited institutional funding and continued bank retrenchment.

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Debt funding for SMEs has long been under-served by the banking sector; a trend that will be further exacerbated by regulatory change from Basel 3 and the Risk Weighted Asset requirements for business loans.

The speed and scale in which alternative finance providers can grow is impacted by high- cost and inflexible funding, typically dominated by institutional capital. Challenging this traditional model is what iO is seeking to do. 
 
Additionally, lenders struggle to raise equity, therefore restricting their ability to draw further debt to fund loans, meaning they are stuck and cannot grow.
 
There is significant scope for a best-in-class platform to consolidate the market position and create a champion challenger in a large market.

A high calibre team with substantial and relevant experience in M&A and transformation is being assembled to drive the strategy

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Tony Best
Chairman

Tony brings extensive experience, with over 25 years at JP Morgan in senior roles, including Global Head of Europe and Global Executive Committee member as well as chairman and director across multiple other organisations.

 

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Mike Ellwood
CEO

A highly accomplished Chairman/NED /Senior Executive with over 30 years' extensive experience operating at Board level in a variety of roles across a number of complex organisations in both the UK and Internationally.

 

iO-kate-kennedyKate Kennedy
COO

A management consultant by training, Kate has over 20 years' experience leading teams globally in MD, Transformation, Commercial Strategy and Digital roles in the Financial Services and Consumer sectors.




iO-james-shoreJames Shore
Group MD

James has a wealth of experience looking after the investment and tax affairs of High Net Worth and Ultra High Net Worth individuals and families.


 

Contact the Team

T +44 7801 865 700 
E  james.shore@iofp.co.uk