Smart, flexible finance for every sector 

We were founded by entrepreneurs, so we know the challenges of growing a business. With our experience, data, and sector-specific knowledge, we can design the right loan to help you thrive.

Business finance built for every sector

We’ve supported businesses across a whole range of areas, from security to legal services to manufacturing, construction and everything else in between. 

The funding we provide is just as diverse: working capital, NAV financing, bridging loans, finance for strategic investments, share repurchases, acquisitions, or management buyouts – we’re ready to get behind any project that can demonstrate potential for growth. 

We move quickly too, so you don’t have to wait a long time for an answer. We’re flexible, transparent and passionate about ambitious businesses, with bespoke facilities ranging from £250,000 to tens of millions.

Supporting buy and build strategies

We’ve supported businesses across a whole range of areas, from security to legal services to manufacturing, construction and everything else in between. 

The funding we provide is just as diverse: working capital, NAV financing, bridging loans, finance for strategic investments, share repurchases, acquisitions, or management buyouts – we’re ready to get behind any project that can demonstrate potential for growth. 

We move quickly too, so you don’t have to wait a long time for an answer. We’re flexible, transparent and passionate about ambitious businesses, with bespoke facilities ranging from £250,000 to tens of millions.

Helping businesses invest in growth

When you’re ready to invest in your business, you need a partner with experience helping firms grow. 

Whether you’re looking to finance everyday operations, acquire and refurbish other businesses, or something else entirely, we’re on hand to provide the right support.

 

Smart umbrella financing

When you need one loan to kick off a project and additional financing as things evolve, it can get very complex very quickly.

We create bespoke loans around your needs, so you can carry out a range of activities as part of one facility, freeing you up to focus on running your business rather than dealing with banks.

Simpler, less rigid solutions

We’re not tied to rigid security packages, so we can work to build a loan structure that makes sense for your business.

We develop a deep understanding of your business, so we can offer more personalised loan terms that go beyond traditional solutions.

 

 

40000 +

new jobs created using OakNorth funding

750 +

developers supported to date

How are we making a difference?

OakNorth loans have helped businesses up and down the country transform communities, regenerate local areas and bring about new opportunities. We’re proud to have supported businesses that have created tens of thousands of jobs and new homes. 

Meet Richard, CEO of Cullen Wealth

When needing to raise capital to buy other shareholders, our speciality finance options were able to help them complete the move he needed quickly and easily.



View transcript

I’m Richard Cullen  – it sounds like glorious title – CEO of Cullen Wealth today. I’m originally a Yorkshireman. I came here for a short stint but ended up staying over here for a long time. 24 years ago, I decided to set up my own IFA firm. I don’t know quite how this happened. But we’ve grown to the point where we have 75 people today. And we’re, I guess, now a large regional financial planning practice.

 

When we went into lockdown, I wanted to refocus myself on the business for the long term. At that time, I owned around half of the business, and I had some non-working shareholders that wanted to take a different path than me so we wanted to buy those guys out. So, we had to raise some money, for the first time ever, and we just made some decisions about who we wanted to work with and that was OakNorth.

 

They came, they listened to us. I felt relaxed in their environment. I thought they were easy people to talk to, they understood the business. They asked a lot of very good questions, which were able to answer and satisfy them that we were a good business and worth lending £4 million  to. Our expectations were managed very, very well. We understood early on what the process was going to be, OakNorth with just very open with us throughout.

 

We wanted to deal with it quickly, so all parties were on a very tight timeline. The process took us less than two months start to finish, and I would say probably six weeks from starting underwriting to us having the cash in our bank to serve the purpose it needed.

 

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend OakNorth. I feel I could pick up the phone to a number of the guys I’ve met there and pass a client name on with confidence. I know they’ll get looked after.

Funding great teams, across all sorts of sectors

Watch their stories

Tailored finance to help your business grow

We’re entrepreneurs at heart, so we build our loans with business owners front and centre. That means no inflexible and inefficient finance facilities, no-time wasting, and no ambiguity. Just straightforward funding without giving up equity.

Not sure which debt finance matches your business needs? Tell us what you’re looking to achieve and we can structure a custom facility to get you there. In the meantime, check out our comprehensive guide to UK business loans for more info.

QUICK ACCESS TO CASH

Get funded faster

When you’re ready to invest in equipment, kickstart a new project or acquire another business, you don’t have the time to wait for your bank.

With OakNorth, funds can be with you in a matter of weeks, so you can keep things moving and take action quickly.

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“We’re grateful to the team at OakNorth who not only approached the deal with a commercial and collaborative mindset, but also ensured the process was completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

James Dow, founding partner of Dow Schofield Watts

HIGHLY CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS

Tailor your finance to your future

Although you might begin with one objective in mind, as your project evolves you may need finance for other activities too.

With OakNorth we’ll work with you to create something truly bespoke, that factors in all the moving parts of more complex projects.

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“We chose OakNorth because as a bank that lends to lower mid-market businesses across the UK, the team have an in-depth understanding of the complex financing needs of businesses, as well as how best to structure loan facilities for different sectors.”

Pietro Nicholls, Portfolio Manager at RM Funds

A TRANSPARENT PROCESS

Meet key decision makers

One of the key ways that OakNorth differs from other finance providers is our transparency.

We’ll keep you in the loop throughout the entire process and for loans above a certain size, you’ll even get the chance to meet our Credit Committee.

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“We have very much enjoyed OakNorth’s entrepreneurial approach, from speaking directly with their Credit Committee to the speed at which they were able to deliver the financing package, as a result of direct access to decision makers.”

Al-Karim Nathoo, Managing Director, 4C Hotel Group

EXPERTS THAT UNDERSTAND BUSINESS GROWTH

Reach success with the right people

A good funding specialist has expertise in a specific niche, along with strong experience across a range of other sectors.

With both broad collective experience and industry specific interests, that’s exactly what our knowledgeable, versatile team offers.

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“Their experience gained from working with some of the leading property developers really shone through during the entire lending process, allowing us time to invest in areas where our own expertise and passion can make the most impact.”

Kate Lawlor, CEO, Bruntwood SciTech

There’s a unique opportunity for firms like ours to strengthen relationships with our insurance partners. We’re grateful to the team at OakNorth Bank who were able to move quickly to ensure we got the funding in time for new reform coming into effect.

Mark Savill, Managing Director of Lyons Davidson

We approached OakNorth Bank as we found the high street banks we spoke to were dragging their heels, whereas the team at OakNorth was incredibly responsive and proactive.

Chairman of Security Plus,

Fund your next move today

If you have a clear vision for growth, we can make it happen. Speak to a member of our team and we’ll help you kickstart your next move. 

FAQs

We work with almost any industry sector, as long as they’re not involved in areas such as gambling, weapons or oil and gas. 

Along with taking the time to speak to you and understand your objectives, we also use forecasting tools to get a sense of where you’re going. We’re not restricted by historic financials, which means we can build something truly personalised, that takes into account your business’ growth trajectory. 

The cost of your loan is based on what kind of borrower you are, or your risk profile, which depends on factors like credit history, industry sector and more. We focus on speed, flexibility and competitive terms over price.

Depending on factors like your business’ risk profile and what you need the funding for, we can provide amortising loans, where you gradually pay off your debt with regular payments, as well as non-amortising loans, where you pay off the loan in a lump sum.

Unlike many other high street banks, we won’t make you transfer your business banking over to us, so you can apply for a loan quickly and easily.