"This was a complex acquisition with several moving parts, so establishing the structure early was essential"
- Barry Ireland - Hampshire Trust Bank
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has announced that it has completed a £4.49 million advance to support the share-purchase acquisition of two residential portfolios in South Wales comprising 65 properties. Business Finance Trust introduced the transaction, led by partner Kevin Beevers.
The purchaser acquired 100% of the shares in the two property companies for a combined price of £5.99 million. The funding enabled the buyer to take ownership immediately, stabilise the portfolios and prepare for refinance onto an HTB Specialist Mortgages buy-to-let facility, which was assessed during the process and issued at completion, subject to standard conditions.
Several layers of complexity marked the case. The share-purchase structure required HTB to consider both the corporate position and the underlying residential assets across two entities. The portfolios also evolved slightly during the transaction as the seller progressed existing disposals, and the borrower sought clarity on asset values early in the process to support their acquisition strategy.
HTB worked closely with Glovers LLP and the borrower's legal team to agree on a structure that addressed both the corporate and residential elements in parallel. With intermediary support from Beevers, the bank ensured the approach remained aligned for both buyer and seller as the transaction developed. HTB also provided early valuation visibility in a way that supported the borrower's cashflow strategy while managing exposure appropriately.
The transaction completed successfully, allowing the purchaser to begin reviewing rents, addressing vacant units and shaping the portfolios ahead of the planned specialist mortgage refinance with HTB.
"This was a complex acquisition with several moving parts, so establishing the structure early was essential," said Barry Ireland, regional account manager, bridging finance at HTB (pictured). "Kevin's early grasp of the share-purchase dynamics and his experience with cases of this type helped us align the corporate and property elements quickly."
A key challenge was ensuring the approach worked within the borrower's cashflow position, given that passing income was not sufficient. "By considering the wider trading position and how the portfolios would operate post-acquisition, we were able to agree a servicing approach that supported their strategy and kept the transaction on a sound footing," he explained.
"That clarity and collaboration kept momentum throughout and allowed us to reach an outcome that worked for everyone involved."
"This case needed a lender who could take a detailed but pragmatic view of how the share purchase was being structured," said Beevers. "HTB were accessible throughout, and the direct conversations at each stage helped us work through changes as they arose and give the client confidence in the path ahead. Their flexible approach to valuation and engagement was a key factor in keeping the transaction on track."
"Share-purchase acquisitions and evolving asset schedules require clarity from the outset and consistent engagement throughout," said Andrea Glasgow, sales director, specialist mortgages and bridging finance at HTB.
"For brokers, having direct access to decision-makers is what keeps momentum when the shape of a transaction changes. This case shows how structured thinking and open communication give brokers the confidence to progress with complex acquisitions and support their clients' wider strategies."
