The Future of Bridging Finance – A Private Real Estate Finance Roundtable | Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Finance
The Future of Bridging Finance – A Private Real Estate Finance Roundtable James Caan CBE, widely recognised for his role on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den and Founder & CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw, recently co-hosted an exclusive real estate finance roundtable alongside Alastair Carmichael, Head of Real Estate Lending. Hamilton Bradshaw is Caan’s London-based private equity firm, investing in and scaling service-led businesses across the UK and internationally. Its Real Estate Lending platform provides £2m–£10m bridging and structured finance secured against prime residential and commercial assets across the UK and selected European markets, with a focus on disciplined underwriting, direct decision-making and certainty of execution. Held on 19 February 2026 at The Wolseley, the breakfast brought together senior representatives from across the intermediary, advisory and capital markets landscape, including participants from Knight Frank Finance, Enness Global, GRE Finance, Phinom, Proxima Capital, Kaizen Consulting and Fladgate. The discussion reflected the realities facing professionals active in complex UK and European transactions. This was not a fundamentals session. The room understands bridging mechanics. The focus was on what is shifting — and where structured, reliable capital is creating competitive advantage. 1. The Market Has Reset — Expectations Haven’t Valuation realism dominated the discussion. James addressed it directly: “Accept the market for what it is today. Forget the 90s. Forget 2022. The market is the market. Your model must work now. Some borrowers are still living in 2022 — but the data tells us we are not going back there. Holding onto it doesn’t make it move.” Participants agreed that expectation management is now central to deal completion. One adviser reflected: “In the early 2000s, bridging was often a last resort. Today it’s normalised. We’re seeing more refinancing and capital release activity — and significantly more lenders.” Another added: “There are huge portfolios that need to be broken up. A lot of legacy land and assets are being reassessed.” The message was clear: exit clarity and valuation realism are now foundational, not optional. 2. Execution Beats Pricing While pricing remains relevant, execution is increasingly determining mandates. One participant observed: “Fixed rates in parts of Europe remain materially lower than UK retail levels. Buyers are back. Lenders are keen to lend.” But the broader sentiment was: “It’s not always the driver for the client. It’s who they deal with and how pragmatically you structure it.” James reinforced the discipline required: “Only issue a term sheet if you can deliver. We don’t take fees if we don’t deliver. Too many lenders set expectations after a short conversation.” In a competitive £2m–£10m market where margins are compressing, reliability and credibility are becoming decisive. 3. Europe: Complexity as Competitive Edge Across Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, Monaco and Switzerland, cross-border structuring remains active — particularly among multi-jurisdiction HNWIs and private clients. One adviser noted: “Many lenders say they’ll look at Europe. Most of the time it’s not price-sensitive — it’s about structure, safety and exit strategy. France remains a hard jurisdiction.” Another highlighted increasing activity in 2026: “We’ve never been so busy in January. It’s becoming increasingly attractive.” From a private debt perspective, the structuring challenge was clear: “Clients want speed and pricing on paper — but to release capital effectively, it has to be structured correctly. You can’t simply walk into a bank and ask for a complex multi-jurisdiction solution.” Structuring capability, legal depth and jurisdictional fluency are becoming true differentiators. 4. Competition Has Increased — Gaps Remain The lending landscape is more competitive than at any point in the past decade. As one broker reflected: “Compared to 2012, when there were only a handful of lenders, the space is now highly competitive. We focus on where the market is underserved.” Another added: “Margins are coming down in the £250k–£5m space. The financing landscape has changed significantly over the past 12 months.” Yet structural gaps persist: “Commercial banks remain slow. Clients are willing to pay more for speed and certainty.” Access to committed capital and direct credit sign-off continue to matter. 5. Relationship Lending Is Back The shift from volume-driven deployment to scrutiny-driven underwriting was evident throughout the discussion. Participants emphasised: James summarised: “Capital is abundant. Trust is scarce.” Repeatable execution and integrity now define long-term relationships in the market. What Will Define the Winners The discussion concluded around four consistent themes: James concluded: “Short-term capital should solve problems, not postpone them.” Find Out More Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Lending continues to work closely with professional intermediaries and capital partners across the UK and Europe, supporting well-structured transactions requiring speed, certainty and pragmatic underwriting. For further information about the platform, please contact: Alastair CarmichaelHead of Real Estate Lending ac@hbpe.com+44 7989 923826
Hamilton Bradshaw Expands Real Estate Lending Capability with Senior Team Appointments
London, UK — February 2026Hamilton Bradshaw has expanded its Real Estate Lending platform with the appointment of Oliver Adler as Originations Manager and Oliver Birt as Analyst, further strengthening the firm’s ability to support brokers and their clients with bespoke real estate finance solutions across the UK and Europe. The appointments follow the recent closing of several transactions and support the continued evolution of Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Lending, which provides £2m–£10m bridging and structured finance secured against prime residential and commercial assets, including complex and cross-jurisdictional transactions. Strengthening Origination and Credit Capability Oliver Adler, appointed Originations Manager, brings a strong technical and credit-led background to the sourcing and structuring of new lending opportunities. An ICAEW Chartered Accountant, Oliver trained at BDO within the Financial Services Audit practice before moving into private credit, where he previously serves as an Underwriting Analyst at a specialist bridging and development finance lender. Oliver has experience assessing real estate-backed transactions, including deal underwriting, structuring loan terms, credit committee presentation, and risk analysis. Joining him, Oliver Birt has been appointed Analyst, bringing hands-on experience in real estate analysis, execution support, and portfolio oversight. Oliver joins from Aquae Sulis Investments, where he supported the analysis and delivery of transactions across residential real estate and real estate lending strategies. Responding to Broker and Borrower Demand Commenting on the appointments, Alastair Carmichael, Head of Real Estate Lending at Hamilton Bradshaw, said: “We continue to see strong demand from brokers for capital that is both flexible, fully committed and reliable — particularly where speed, complexity, or jurisdictional considerations limit access to traditional bank finance. The combination of Oliver Adler’s credit-led origination experience and Oliver Birt’s analytical and execution capability strengthens our ability to work closely with intermediaries while maintaining disciplined underwriting as the platform scales.” Scaling a Proven Lending Capability Hamilton Bradshaw has a track record of supporting property owners and developers through broker-led, solutions-driven lending, particularly in situations requiring speed, structuring expertise, and cross-border execution. Recent activity has included a number of broker-led transactions where Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Lending has provided fast, low-leverage bridge and refinance solutions against prime UK and European residential assets, often stepping in where traditional lenders could not move quickly or with certainty. James Caan CBE, Founder and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw, added: “We have always worked closely with brokers to provide intelligent, solutions-driven capital for their clients. As demand has increased — and as our experience in cross-jurisdictional lending has deepened — it became clear that now was the right time to further invest in the Real Estate Lending platform. With Alastair leading the strategy, and with the addition of Oliver Adler and Oliver Birt, we are well positioned to scale this business while continuing to support brokers with certainty of execution, speed of decision-making, and a pragmatic, partnership-led approach.” Where We Lend Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Lending operates across key European and UK markets, working in partnership with brokers to support experienced sponsors and time-sensitive transactions: This geographic and asset-class flexibility allows the platform to support broker-led transactions where traditional lenders may be constrained by jurisdiction, timing, or structure. About Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Lending Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate Lending provides £2-10m short-term bridging and structured finance secured against prime residential and commercial assets across the UK and Europe. The platform works closely with professional intermediaries, offering bespoke, relationship-driven solutions for refinancing, acquisitions, refurbishment, and special situations. Alastair CarmichaelHead of Real Estate Lending ac@hbpe.com +44 (0) 7989 923826
Hamilton Bradshaw MENA backs ELEVION to support growth focused businesses across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and broader GCC
Dubai, UAE – February 2026 — Hamilton Bradshaw MENA has announced a strategic investment in ELEVION, a UAE based consulting and fractional leadership firm partnering with B2C and B2B companies at defining moments of growth, transformation or strategic change, to turn marketing, customer data, and experience into sustained commercial value. The investment reflects Hamilton Bradshaw MENA’s commitment to backing founder led, service driven businesses with strong regional relevance, experienced leadership, and the capability to scale sustainably across the Gulf. ELEVION works with startups, scale ups and established businesses at key stages of growth, embedding senior marketing and customer experience leaders within client teams. The firm’s approach combines strategic clarity with hands on delivery, helping leadership teams strengthen execution, build internal capability, and scale faster, more predictably with repeatable growth frameworks. ELEVION was founded by senior operators with deep international and Middle East experience. Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Elisabetta Aiello brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across Europe, the UK, China, and the Middle East. She has held senior roles at organisations including Starbucks/Alshaya Group, METRO, Deutsche Bank and Ferrero, leading large-scale marketing, digital, CRM, and customer experience transformation programmes across multi-market businesses. Co-Founder and CEO, Lizzy Johnson, with over 20 years of international experience driving revenue growth, brand repositioning, and digital transformation. She has worked across founder-led, private equity-backed, and multinational organisations in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and the United States. Her background includes senior leadership roles at Heineken, Diageo, and UEFA, and advisory and consulting roles with Deliveroo, Vapiano/McWin Capital Partners, Yas Holding, and Tashas Group, bringing a strong commercial and results-focused approach to growth and value creation. Commenting on the partnership, Elisabetta Aiello “Our focus is on supporting leadership teams in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and broader GCC who are navigating growth, transformation, and increasing complexity. The partnership with Hamilton Bradshaw provides long-term backing while allowing us to remain deeply embedded in how we work with clients in the region Lizzy Johnson added: “The UAE and wider GCC represent some of the most ambitious growth markets globally. ELEVION was built to help organisations translate that ambition into execution, capability, and sustainable performance.” James Caan CBE, Chairman of Hamilton Bradshaw, commented: “ ELEVION is a strong example of a founder led business with the leadership depth and delivery discipline required to succeed in the Gulf. The team understands both the regional context and what it takes to build scalable service businesses.” Ayman Alashkar, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Bradshaw MENA, added: “ This partnership aligns with our strategy in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to support experienced founders building high quality professional services platforms. ELEVION combines deep operational expertise with a clear and practical approach to growth that is highly relevant to the region.” With Hamilton Bradshaw MENA’s investment and strategic support, ELEVION plans to expand its presence throughout the UAE and GCC strengthening its leadership bench and extending its ability to support regional organisations with embedded marketing and customer experience expertise. About Hamilton Bradshaw Hamilton Bradshaw is a London based private equity firm founded by James Caan CBE, renowned for its people first investment philosophy. With a focus on professional services, recruitment, and growth stage businesses, Hamilton Bradshaw builds long term value through strategic partnerships, mentorship, and hands on operational support. The firm’s leadership has a strong track record in scaling founder led businesses through access to global networks and disciplined execution. www.hamiltonbradshaw.com Hamilton Bradshaw MENA Chief Executive Officer: ayman@hbpe.com About ELEVION ELEVION is a UAE-based consulting and fractional leadership firm operating across the UAE and broader GCC. The firm works with B2C and B2B start-ups, scale-ups, and established organisations during periods of growth, transformation, or strategic change. ELEVION operates within client organisations, providing senior-level marketing and customer experience leadership across go-to-market strategy, brand positioning, customer acquisition and retention, CRM, and marketing operating models, combining strategic oversight with execution to support measurable commercial outcomes. Lizzy@elevionadvisory.com Ely@elevionadvisory.com https://elevionadvisory.com
Hamilton Bradshaw Announces the Successful Sale of 90 North Real Estate Partners, the Award-Winning Real Estate Investment Firm
London, October 2025 — Hamilton Bradshaw, the private equity firm founded by entrepreneur James Caan CBE, is pleased to announce the successful sale of its shareholding in 90 North Real Estate Partners, a leading global real estate investment firm. Founded in 2011 by Nick Judd and Philip Churchill, with James Caan CBE as the lead launch investor, 90 North has grown into a market-leading, values-driven investment manager specialising in trophy assets for Middle Eastern family offices. Over the past 14 years, the firm has established a strong track record, completing more than $2 billion in acquisitions across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia. 90 North has also raised more than $1 billion in debt financing for institutions worldwide, while securing over $1 billion in equity commitments from prominent Middle Eastern family offices. Its portfolio spans Office, Retail, Student Housing, Residential, Industrial, Care Homes, and Hotels. Landmark transactions include: Throughout this journey, Hamilton Bradshaw remained a significant shareholder, supporting the firm’s evolution and international growth. The firm now enters a new chapter as the interests of James Caan, Nick Judd, and Faisal Butt have been acquired by Saoud Al-Humaidhi, through Urooj Holding, the Kuwait-based private equity arm of AlHumaidhi Capital Group. Saoud brings extensive experience leading technology-driven investments through AlRaqmiya, Ajar, and SBX Capital, and will focus on accelerating 90 North’s global growth strategy. From left: Khaled AlQahtani, CEO of Urooj, Philip Churchill, Founder & Managing Partner of 90 North and Saoud AlHumaidhi Leadership Commentary James Caan CBE, Founder and Chairman of Hamilton Bradshaw, said:“From inception, we believed 90 North could build something special. Nick, Philip, and the team have consistently delivered world-class results for discerning investors, creating a platform with an outstanding reputation in international real estate. The new ownership is inheriting a truly exceptional business, and I am proud to have supported its journey from launch to successful exit.” Philip Churchill, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of 90 North, added:“After 14 years, it is with immense pride that I see 90 North enter its next phase. My sincere gratitude goes to Nick, James, and Faisal for their invaluable contributions — from Nick’s instrumental role in building the firm, to James’s steady leadership as Chairman, and Faisal’s pivotal role in bringing us together. Saoud’s fresh perspective and global experience will be invaluable as 90 North continues to adapt and thrive in a changing real estate landscape.” Nick Judd, Co-Founder of 90 North, commented:“James’s backing and Hamilton Bradshaw’s partnership were pivotal in our success. Together, we’ve delivered exceptional results, and I look forward to seeing the business flourish under its new ownership.” Faisal Butt, Founder of Spire Ventures, said: “90 North was the very first investment I made under the Spire Ventures brand, so this exit is both a personal and professional milestone. It has been a privilege to help shape 90 North into a market-leading investment platform with a reputation for world-class execution and trusted relationships across the Middle East. Nick and Philip have built an outstanding team and brand, and I am proud of the role Spire Ventures played in taking the business international and positioning it for long-term success. With the new investors’s global outlook and experience, I am confident 90 North will reach even greater heights. About Hamilton Bradshaw Hamilton Bradshaw partners with exceptional entrepreneurs to build and scale service-led businesses, from inception through to successful exit. Media Contact:Hamilton Bradshaw Press Officepress@hamiltonbradshaw.comwww.hamiltonbradshaw.com
Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate appoints Graham Emmett as Non-Executive Director
Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate has appointed Graham Emmett as Non-Executive Director, further strengthening its leadership team, following the recent appointment of Alastair Carmichael to lead its real estate lending strategy. Graham brings more than 40 years of experience in the UK and European property markets, having co-founded Atelier Capital Partners in 2019 where he scaled the platform to £300m AUM before stepping down in 2023. He has also held senior roles at Delancey Estates, Goldman Sachs, Cheyne Capital, HIG Capital, and the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) in Ireland. At Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate, Graham will work closely with James Caan CBE, Principal Investor and founder of Hamilton Bradshaw, and Alastair Carmichael, Head of Real Estate Lending. He will be overseeing the real estate lending strategy, supporting the firm’s mission to provide bespoke real estate lending solutions secured against prime UK and European property, with a focus on selective deal origination, robust security structures, and strong alignment with investors. Commenting on his appointment, Graham Emmett said:“What attracted me to Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate is its focus on quality over quantity. The platform takes a disciplined approach to lending — backing only well-structured opportunities and doing so with full alignment alongside investors. I look forward to bringing my experience to the table and helping shape the next phase of its growth.” James Caan CBE, founder of Hamilton Bradshaw, said:“Graham is one of the most respected figures in the real estate finance industry. His deep institutional knowledge and entrepreneurial track record make him an outstanding addition to our team. We are delighted to welcome him at such a pivotal stage in building our real estate platform.” Alastair Carmichael, Head of Real Estate Lending, added:“Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate is built on three principles — discipline, alignment and protection of investor capital. Graham’s insight will be central as we continue to refine our lending strategy and deliver market leading risk-adjusted returns, as well as return of investors capital.” For more information on Hamilton Bradshaw Real Estate or to explore co-investment opportunities, please contact: Alastair CarmichaelHead of Real Estate Lending📞 +44 7989 923826📧 ac@hbpe.com🌐 hamiltonbradshaw.com
Hamilton Bradshaw MENA announces first Dubai investment with CompassPoint
Hamilton Bradshaw MENA announces first investment with CompassPoint, a startup specialising in offering Fractional FP&A and CFO services. Dubai, UAE – June 5, 2025 — Hamilton Bradshaw, the private equity firm founded by James Caan CBE, is proud to announce its first investment into CompassPoint, a boutique firm specialising in FP&A and fractional CFO services across the GCC and UK. Founded by Zaid Aboobaker and Zain Ul Abideen, CompassPoint brings deep expertise in financial strategy, operational transformation, and scalable growth solutions tailored for SMEs and professional service businesses. This partnership marks the first step in Hamilton Bradshaw MENA’s investment activity and exemplifies its commitment to backing founder-led startups and scale-ups. CompassPoint: Strategic, Scalable Finance and People Solutions CompassPoint operates at the intersection of strategic financial leadership and operational delivery, offering customised, outsourced solutions for companies that need assistance with their financial planning. Together, they have built a delivery-focused firm that scales with client needs—from high-level strategic finance to recruitment of key operational hires. Why Hamilton Bradshaw Backed CompassPoint What began as a shared belief between the HB and CompassPoint teams in people-first investing, evolved into a deeper alignment around values, ambition, and commercial strategy. “Zaid and Zain stood out as founders who are not only sharp and dependable, but deeply embedded in the markets they serve,” said James Caan CBE, Chairman of Hamilton Bradshaw. “Their model is agile, their experience is grounded, and their delivery is top-tier. CompassPoint is the ideal first partner for HB MENA.” Ayman Alashkar, CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw MENA, added: “CompassPoint embodies the kind of entrepreneurial leadership we want to champion in the region. Founders with demonstrable domain expertise and years of local market knowledge. Together Zaid and Zain have built a business that is nimble, values-led, and essential to the evolving needs of SMEs across the GCC. We are delighted that our first investment under HB MENA is one rooted in strategic alignment and deep operational substance.” Shared Vision: Scale with Real Value This partnership is grounded in a shared objective: to scale CompassPoint into a market-leading platform, that creates real, enduring business value for its stakeholders and clients. Together, Hamilton Bradshaw and CompassPoint are committed to sustainable, strategic growth—with a focus on quality of service, long-term partnerships, and impact. What’s Next CompassPoint is already working with a growing client base across the Gulf and the UK, particularly in sectors like professional services, consulting, and digital transformation. The firm’s approach — offering customised, executive-level finance and operational guidance on a fractional basis — is gaining traction as businesses look for smarter, more adaptive growth strategies. With our investment into CompassPoint, HB MENA establishes the foundation of its investment model: selecting high-quality partners with deep local roots and proven delivery capability. More investments to come. About Hamilton Bradshaw Hamilton Bradshaw is a London-based private equity firm founded by James Caan CBE, renowned for its people-first investment philosophy. With a focus on professional services, recruitment, and growth-stage businesses, HB builds long-term value through strategic partnerships and mentorship. The firm’s leadership has a strong track record in scaling founder-led businesses through hands-on support and access to global networks. www.hamiltonbradshaw.com Hamilton Bradshaw MENA Chief Executive Officer: ayman@hbpe.com About CompassPoint CompassPoint is a boutique financial, operational, and talent advisory firm specialising in fractional CFO and COO services across the GCC and UK, financial planning & analysis (FP&A). Founded by Zaid Aboobaker and Zain Ul Abideen, CompassPoint supports scaling SMEs and professional services firms through expert strategy, flexible delivery, and team development. info@compasspoint-consulting.com www.compasspoint-consulting.com