Hope Capital Property Finance is marking its 15th anniversary after growing from a start-up bridging lender into a business operating across England, Wales and Scotland.
The Liverpool-based lender, founded by chief executive Jonathan Sealey in 2011, has expanded its lending proposition and funding capacity during the period, while increasing its maximum loan size from £1.5m to £5m.
Its development has included a move into Scotland and a broader range of residential, refurbishment and commercial lending, alongside investment in its technology and processes.
The lender has also secured a series of institutional funding arrangements as it has grown, including a £75m line with Triple Point, a £50m facility with Shawbrook Bank and £35m of committed wholesale funding from Hampshire Trust Bank.
NEW HEADQUARTERS
The anniversary follows Hope Capital’s move into new headquarters in Liverpool. The purpose-designed office is three times the size of its previous premises and is intended to accommodate the lender’s growing team.
Hope Capital has also continued to recruit and develop staff as the business has expanded. It was recently named a Top Mortgage Employer for a fifth consecutive year.
Jonathan Sealey (pictured, left), chief executive of Hope Capital Property Finance, says: “When I founded Hope Capital 15 years ago, I had ambitious plans for what the business could become, but I could never have imagined the journey we would go on.
“There have been many important moments along the way, but what makes me proudest is the team we have built and the relationships we have developed with the brokers, borrowers and stakeholders who have been part of our story.
“Reaching 15 years and moving into our new headquarters feels like a defining moment for Hope Capital. The business has evolved significantly, but the principles it was founded on remain just as important today.
“We have come a long way since that first borrowed desk and chair, and I am incredibly excited about what the next chapter holds.”
Steve Sealey (pictured, centre), chairman of Hope Capital Property Finance, says: “The confidence and continued support of our investors have played an important role in Hope Capital’s journey.
“We have built long-standing relationships with many high-net-worth investors by taking a transparent, responsible and personal approach, and by ensuring they remain closely connected to the business and its progress.
“Reaching 15 years is an opportunity to thank those investors who have supported Hope Capital throughout its development and continue to share our confidence in its future.”
Kate Cowan (pictured, right), chief financial and operating officer of Hope Capital Property Finance, adds: “Hope Capital’s growth has been underpinned by our continued investment in our people, our proposition and the way we operate.
“Alongside the strength of our institutional funding partnerships, these foundations have enabled us to evolve with the market while continuing to deliver the personal, flexible service for which we are known.
“Our new headquarters reflects both how far the business has come and our confidence in what lies ahead.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we are firmly focused on building on that progress and creating even more opportunities for our brokers, borrowers and team in the years to come.”
