Specialist lender Ignite Funding Partners has appointed former ThinCats head of healthcare Richard Henshaw as senior healthcare and education partner to lead its lending strategy across social care, primary care and education.
Henshaw will oversee funding facilities ranging from £1m to £25m, targeting established operators seeking capital for expansion, refurbishment, capacity increases and changes in ownership.
The strategy will cover care homes, domiciliary care, specialist care and children’s residential care, alongside pharmacies, dental practices, opticians and private and special educational needs (SEN) schools.
Ignite said its lending approach would focus on the operational performance of businesses rather than relying solely on property valuations.
Henshaw has more than 27 years’ experience in healthcare and education finance and was previously head of healthcare at alternative lender ThinCats, where he helped develop its lending business in the sector.
He has also held senior positions at RBS, AIB and Chandler & Co and spent six years owning and operating care homes.
Ignite founder and managing partner Ravi Anand said: ‘Richard is one of the most respected healthcare and education lenders in the UK, and I have seen his ability to build a market-leading franchise first-hand. He brings an operator’s perspective that is rare among lenders.’
Henshaw said: ‘Ignite has the experience, relationships and partnership approach to become a significant, much-needed source of funding for growing UK businesses, in healthcare, education and beyond. Proven social care, primary care and education providers have significant growth ambitions, and they need a funding partner that understands them and the challenges they face. I look forward to working with operators, advisers and investors across the UK to provide the flexible, long-term capital these businesses need to grow and to continue delivering high-quality service.’
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