New funding line from Cynergy Bank
Zenzic Development Finance (ZDF), the residential development finance arm of Zenzic Capital, has obtained a three-year funding facility of up to £45 million from Cynergy Bank.
With the new line in place, ZDF can now offer loans of up to £15 million — three times its previous cap — and is aiming to triple its lending volumes this year.
ZDF supports residential-led development projects across the UK. Its products include Stretch Senior Development Finance with up to 75% loan-to-GDV and 90% loan-to-cost, as well as Mezzanine Finance reaching up to 85% loan-to-GDV and 90% loan-to-cost.
Zenzic Capital, co-founded by Nadine Buckland (pictured) and Tom-Lloyd Jones in 2014, provides debt solutions across various sectors including logistics, hospitality, residential, and student housing. In early 2024, the company launched a £500 million strategy to invest in purpose-built student accommodation in the UK, focusing on both existing and new developments.
“This new funding line will allow the newly rebranded ZDF team to accelerate its lending volumes and tap into the significant demand from SME housebuilders and developers for financing in a challenging macroeconomic environment,” Buckland said. “The UK is relying on these businesses to address the country’s acute housing shortage, and we take our role in supporting them very seriously.
“Cynergy is one of the UK’s leading challenger banks and in them we have a likeminded capital partner that we look forward to working with in financing the best counterparties and schemes across the UK.”
The funding milestone coincides with Zenzic Capital’s ongoing expansion, including the recent appointment of John Bigley as principal.
Bigley brings more than three decades of experience in real estate and debt markets, and has been a Chartered Surveyor since 1997. Before joining Zenzic, he spent nine years at DRC Capital, playing a key role in deal origination and asset management across Europe. His earlier roles included senior posts at Westimmo, Merrill Lynch & Co, and JP Morgan Asset Management.
At Zenzic, Bigley will focus on sourcing special situations and credit opportunities throughout Europe. He joins a London-based team that includes Steve Swallow, a former partner at East Lodge Capital.
“John has built an impressive black book of contacts over his decades in the real estate industry and he will be a valuable addition to our team as we expand our opportunistic credit and special situations capabilities and continue to establish Zenzic as a leading real estate investment manager,” Buckland said.
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