New southern Head for private equity investor LDC

A mid-market private equity investor with unrivalled coverage across the South of England and Thames Valley has appointed a new head to its southern team.

LDC has named Lawrence Dean as the Head of its South team, an appointment made as it approaches its 20^th anniversary in the region.

Since it began operating from its base in Reading in 2000, LDC has invested more than £575m in 60 of the region’s most ambitious firms.

Mr Dean has arrived at LDC from LDC’s Birmingham office, and brings a wealth of experience from different sectors, including TMT and leisure in particular.

Earlier this year, he led two significant mid-market deals including the £110million investment in motor finance technology specialist Evolution Funding, and the management buyout of London-based global business communications consultancy Instinctif Partners.

Prior to his role at LDC, Lawrence headed up the UK buyout team at mid-market private equity fund NBGI Private Equity, and was one of the founding partners of Stage Capital which led the €300m spin-out of NBGI in 2016. He has also held senior roles within private equity-backed businesses.

As Head of LDC’s South team, he will ensure LDC continues to support the growth ambitions of businesses across the South of England, helping the team to identify investment opportunities in the region, as well as leading transactions and supporting the success of its portfolio.

Mr Dean’s appointment follows a successful period for the team. In April this year they backed the £17.6m investment in tech-enabled recruitment specialist Amberjack.

In late 2018 the team also sold the UK’s leading technology-led logistics and locker provider ByBox for £221m to Francisco Partners.

Mr Dean said: “LDC’s team in the South of England has a longstanding track record of supporting the growth of some of the region’s standout businesses, and in particular has a stellar reputation in the technology sector.

“Having backed successful businesses across the UK, I’m really looking forward to working with the team and meeting business leaders from across the region who are looking for ways to fuel their expansion plans.”

Andy Grove, Head of New Business at LDC, said: “Lawrence has a wealth of experience in private equity, having made a huge impact since joining LDC.

“We now look forward to his leadership of the Reading team to continue to drive its success. We have committed to investing £1.2bn across the UK over the next three years, and Lawrence will play a central role in delivering on this across the South region.”