White Oak UK, an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, announced on June 23rd its plans to launch a new private credit strategy designed to support UK reindustrialisation by providing financing for manufacturing modernisation, industrial capacity, capital equipment, infrastructure and supply chain resilience.
The strategy builds on WOUK’s 40-year track record of financing SMEs and mid-market businesses and leverages one of the UK’s largest non-bank lending platforms. Since 2018, WOUK has originated over Euro 3 billion in loans and developed an extensive origination network, including direct borrower relationships, bank referral networks, advisor partnerships and government-supported lending programs, unlocking access to financing opportunities across a broad range of sectors and regions throughout the UK.
The strategy is targeting up to Euro 1.5 billion in capital and will focus on providing flexible financing solutions to businesses operating across key sectors of the UK economy, including manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, life sciences, aerospace and defence. The strategy will focus on four central themes: asset acquisition and modernisation, growth and expansion, operational resilience and working capital, and infrastructure and footprint.
White Oak’s origination platform, including those of its affiliates, will utilise over 20 bank relationships for referrals of loan opportunities that do not fit UK banks’ risk appetites; cross-border financing between UK and US-based banking partnerships; and broker dealer and investment bank capital advisory channels where exclusive origination partnerships have been developed. White Oak’s lending is predominantly senior-secured, asset-backed and originated directly, not through competitive sponsor auctions.
“Supporting small and mid-size businesses has been central to White Oak’s approach for decades,” said Andre Hakkak, Co-Founder and CEO at White Oak. “We believe there’s a real opportunity here for private capital to address the long-term shift away from manufacturing towards services. By leveraging our extensive origination platform and deep experience serving SMEs, we are well-positioned to address a critical need across the UK economy.”
This initiative comes as UK businesses continue to face a significant funding gap. White Oak estimates that 75% of SMEs expect to require external financing in the near term, while the Bank of England has estimated a nationwide SME funding gap of Euro 22 billion. At the same time, traditional lenders have continued to reduce support for working capital and asset-based lending, creating growing demand for flexible sources of private capital.
“UK businesses continue to face growth and working capital shortages at a time when many are looking to expand and strengthen their operations,” said Jeremy Harrison, Managing Director at White Oak UK. “White Oak’s broad lending capabilities allow us to structure flexible solutions for businesses underserved by traditional lenders, and this strategy will support companies investing in long-term growth across the UK.”
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