Arc & Co. completes a collection of cross-sector transactions worth over £60m

Cameron Hayes, Director at specialist debt and equity advisory Arc & Co. (now part of FRP), has successfully completed a group of deals worth more than £60 million of complex financing and acquisition mandates across the UK in the run-up to the UK Budget and the Christmas period.

The transactions reflect a period of heightened execution pressure, with borrowers seeking certainty of funding and competitive terms while lenders remained highly selective ahead of year-end.

This cluster of completions highlights Arc & Co.’s ability to deliver high-leverage and often bespoke funding solutions under tight timeframes, particularly when income coverage, asset complexity or structuring considerations would traditionally constrain lender appetite.

Transaction details

£21m Office Refinance – Asset Management Plan

Arc & Co. arranged a £21 million refinance of an office asset in the South West, providing the client with time and flexibility to lease up and stabilise the property. 

The facility completed within three to four weeks and was structured at 70% LTV, despite the asset’s income being below 1.00x ICR at completion. The lender was comfortable to proceed on the basis of a detailed asset management plan, allowing a ramp-up period to grow income over the term — an approach not typically supported by clearing banks.

£16m Residential Development – Conversion and extension

Arc & Co. also advised on a £16 million prime residential development loan in South East England, funding the conversion and extension of an existing office building in the West End into a prime residential scheme.

The transaction was structured at 68% LTGDV, comprising a part permitted development and part new-build scheme, and was completed for an overseas investor.

£2m–£3m Office Bridge – Permitted Development Acquisition

Arc & Co. advised on a bridging facility of between £2 million and £3 million to acquire an office property in Surrey with permitted development potential in Surrey, securing both a commercial acquisition loan and a VAT facility.

The lender advanced up to 80% LTV against the commercial asset, notwithstanding several complexities including the property’s proximity to a railway line and the requirement for Network Rail consents. The transaction completed within five days—and on the final day of the client’s contractual notice period, following the collapse of a prior B2B sale.

£6.5m London Residential Bridge – Below-Market-Value Acquisition

Arc & Co. arranged a £6.5 million bridging facility to acquire a below-market-value London residential asset at 80% loan-to-purchase price.

The borrower’s private equity ownership, combined with an overseas borrowing structure, resulted in enhanced KYC requirements. Cameron Hayes coordinated the financing and due diligence process to ensure the acquisition completed ahead of year-end, with the BMV nature of the transaction underpinning the higher leverage.

£8m London Mixed-Use Acquisition – Asset Management Strategy

For a value-add London mixed-use property, Arc & Co. secured an £8 million acquisition facility to support a defined asset management strategy, including lease regearing and conversion works.

The facility enables the client to execute their business plan, securing lease surrenders and attracting new tenants. The loan was secured with no recourse to the borrower.

£7m 100% LTPP Residential Bridge – BMV Acquisition

Arc & Co. also advised on a £7 million below-market-value residential acquisition in London, achieving 100% loan-to-purchase price.

The structure allowed the client to complete the transaction without deploying any equity towards the acquisition price, with a Red Book based on the breakup valuation, supporting the leverage and enabling the client to capitalise on an opportunistic acquisition ahead of Christmas.

Cameron Hayes, Director at Arc & Co., commented:

“This cluster of completions ahead of the Budget and Christmas is significant for our clients. Many are navigating changing rate expectations, tighter credit conditions and year-end timing pressure.

“Delivering funding with certainty is paramount in this environment. The ability to structure high-leverage, competitively priced and often highly bespoke facilities under these constraints demonstrates the strength of our lender relationships and the importance of early, proactive engagement on complex deals.”