Manchester-based OakNorth partners with FinTech North to further strengthen its support of businesses across the north
Fintech North is delighted to partner with OakNorth, the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, that is dedicated to empowering the lower mid-market (businesses with £1m-£100m turnover) to support growth, prosperity, and innovation for the benefit of all.
Founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs Rishi Khosla and Joel Perlman, OakNorth has since lent over £12bn to these businesses, directly helping with the creation of 56,000 new jobs and 34,000 new homes in the UK. OakNorth also offers seamless business banking with dedicated support to help ambitious businesses simplify operations and scale at speed. For personal savers, the bank provides competitive savings accounts, enabling customers to achieve their financial goals while contributing to the growth of UK entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses.
Since inception, OakNorth has had a dedicated operations and customer services team in Manchester, and over the years, has continued expanding its team and capabilities in the city, including with several debt finance directors and associates. It also has regional hubs in Leeds and Newcastle, supporting businesses across Yorkshire and the North East, as well as several regional hubs and offices in other parts of the UK.
Some of its stand-out transactions completed across the north include:
- A £22.8m loan to support a joint venture between O’Shea and Galliard, to fund holiday lodges at Saltmoore, the new coastal luxury wellness retreat on the North Yorkshire Coast (loan completed in February 2025);
- A bespoke facility to Huddersfield headquartered and the UK’s leading premium nursery brand, Mamas & Papas, to support future growth (loan completed in August 2024);
- A £15m loan to private equity-backed, creative cocktail bar and restaurant group, The Alchemist, to open 10 new sites over the next three years (loan completed in February 2024);
- A £6.5m loan to Cheshire-based health and fitness club operator, Total Fitness, to support future growth opportunities beyond the core health club business (loan completed in July 2023);
- A bespoke facility to leading mid-market private equity firm LDC, to support its significant investment in Blis, a global programmatic advertising company (loan completed in June 2022).
As part of our partnership, OakNorth will come onboard as headline sponsors of our highly-anticipated Manchester Conference 2025 and main sponsors of another dedicated FinTech North event later in 2025. FinTech North will also share thought leadership from OakNorth across our marketing channels.
Joe Roche, General Manager, FinTech North: “We’re delighted to partner with OakNorth in 2025. Its entrepreneurial spirit, savings that support local businesses, and tech-enabled-people-driven approach are what make it stand out. Supporting entrepreneurs and businesses nationally is something FinTech North is incredibly passionate about, and where there is clear alignment with OakNorth.”
Stewart Haworth, Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “The Northern FinTech ecosystem is thriving, and we’re privileged to have deep-rooted connections to cities across the north, including: Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle. The north is an integral part of OakNorth’s growth strategy, having lent c.£1bn to date to growing business across the region. By partnering with Fintech North, we hope to drive the meaningful expansion of this vibrant community, and continue flying the flag for British fintech across the UK and internationally.”
For more information, reach out to us at info@fintechnorth.uk.
About OakNorth
Launched in September 2015, OakNorth is the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, empowering the lower mid-market (businesses with £1m-£100m turnover) to support growth, prosperity, and innovation for the benefit of all.
Since its launch, the bank has:
– Lent over £12bn to these businesses, directly helping with the creation of 56,000 new jobs and 34,000 new homes across the UK;
– Provide deposit services to over c.315,000 savers.
It is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Visit www.oaknorth.co.uk for more information.
For press inquiries, please email: press@oaknorth.co.uk
