New Office Location: United Arab Emirates

1 May 2024

Shard Credit Partners (“SCRP”) the UK-based provider of alternative finance to the SME market has expanded its geographic reach with the opening of its new business in the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”). This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to supporting businesses in the Middle East and worldwide, enhancing its global footprint.

In early 2022, SCRP increased its offering to institutional and institutional private wealth investors by integrating trade finance on to its private credit platform through its trade finance subsidiary in the UK.

In a similar way, the new UAE office will serve as a hub for SCRP Trade Finance operations in the region, offering trade finance solutions to meet the diverse needs of businesses engaged in both domestic and cross-border trade. With experienced professionals and a deep understanding of the local market dynamics, SCRP Trade Finance aims to provide seamless and efficient financial support to businesses looking to grow their trading revenues.

“We are delighted to establish our presence in Dubai, a vibrant economic hub with immense potential for growth and development. By opening this office, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering emerging corporates and SME businesses in the Middle East and beyond with trade finance solutions that drive expansion, foster economic prosperity, and facilitate global trade” said Moiz Akbar, Partner in the International Trade Finance subsidiary.

Chris Ash, SCRP Trade Finance head, added “As the World Economies emerge from the aftershocks of the Covid 19 Pandemic, the availability of working capital solutions has become more challenging, especially for the lower to mid-market trading communities. Our expansion into this vital trading hub will improve local access for businesses that require incremental financial support.”

SCRP Trade Finance is committed to providing transactional capital to address the capital needs of businesses engaged in cross-border trade; structuring trade transactions to optimise financial efficiency and mitigate risks effectively.

The opening of the UAE office underscores SCRP’s commitment to structuring innovative financing solutions for its SME clients, fostering long-term partnerships and facilitating business expansion and cross border trade. Having already extended trade finance facilities to existing GCC clients, this expansion will not only deepen ties with current relationships but also underscores SCRP’s confidence in the region for growth and collaboration.

 

 

About Shard Credit Partners:

Shard Credit Partners is an alternative investment fund manager focused on high cash yielding private credit strategies in the UK lower mid-market.  Current assets under management stands at circa £200 million.  Its funds seek to generate superior risk-adjusted returns from conservatively structured senior secured credit investments with equity upside. Fund strategies include corporate direct lending, technology venture financing and international trade finance.

Shard Credit Partners successfully completed eleven primary investments and around thirty bolt-on acquisitions from its debut direct lending fund Shard Credit Partners Fund I, which held a first close in October 2017 at £90.2 million.  Shard Credit Partners plans to hold a first close on its second vintage UK lower mid-market direct lending fund with a target of £100 million during Q3 2024.

Shard Credit Partners invests in small to medium sized businesses with strong management teams, supporting them by providing transformative growth capital and event driven financing in support of innovation, growth and expansion.  The Fund invests in businesses across all sectors and throughout the UK.  The firm has a strong ESG focus; in particular, it is a strong supporter of female entrepreneurs and firms with meaningful female leadership, ownership and senior management.

Shard Credit Partners Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Shard Capital AIFM LLP, authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 615463).

Contact details:

Investor relations:   IR@shardcreditpartners.com Business:    info@shardcreditpartners.com Website:    www.shardcreditpartners.com