In June 2026, White Oak UK is celebrating its 40th anniversary. With four decades of supporting businesses under our belt, we’re taking a moment to reflect on our journey, highlighting some of the key events and dedicated team members that have made it happen. While we may have begun under a different name and in a different location, our ethos has always remained the same – making fast, fair and flexible finance accessible to all.
2026 has already been an exciting year for us. We’ve welcomed a wealth of new talent on board, helped countless new clients and won Best Business Loan Provider at the Business Moneyfacts Awards, as well as being highly commended for Best Alternative Business Funding Provider – and we’re only halfway through the year!
A Snapshot of Our History
White Oak UK began life as LDF Operations Limited, incorporated on 18 June 1986. Over time, LDF grew into one of the UK’s established non-bank SME lenders, serving businesses across asset finance, business loans and related funding lines.
In June 2018, White Oak Global Advisors acquired LDF Group as part of its wider strategy to expand its lending platform in the UK and Europe. LDF was subsequently incorporated into White Oak UK, and the business was rebranded in July 2018.
Since then, we’ve sat as a proud part of the White Oak Global Advisors family, with access to broader investor capital and a wider suite of lending products for British-based SMEs. We’ve continued to grow our UK presence, acting as a long-standing provider of flexible finance solutions to businesses.
A Brief Timeline
- 18th June 1986: LDF Operations Limited was incorporated in the UK.
- 1987 to 2014: The company traded under earlier names, including Amalgamated Finance and Leasing Ltd and later Leasedirect Finance Limited.
- June 2018: White Oak Global Advisors acquired LDF Group.
- July 2018: LDF was rebranded as White Oak UK.
- August 2021: We moved into our new Chester HQ, signing a ten-year lease on 15,000 sq ft of office space in Chester’s HQ building.
Our Longest-Serving Staff Members
We’re lucky enough to have many loyal, long-serving staff members who have been with us for as long as 21 years. Quick to cite White Oak UK as a dependable, rewarding and exciting place to work, our staff recognise the stability and empowerment offered by their roles throughout the years, with the company supporting those choosing to excel in their careers, raise their families, and bring a fresh perspective to the world of business finance. However, don’t just take our word for it – here are some insights straight from the source:
Matt Stott
Training and Development Manager
18 years at White Oak UK
What was your role when you started at White Oak UK, and how has that changed or evolved during your time at the company?
I initially started as a Trainer for Professions Sales, Broker Sales and Leasing Sales. Following the economic crash in 2008, I was drafted into running the End of Lease department with an amazing partner in crime, Amanda Williams.
After 5 years in EOL I was invited into Direct Sales as a Team Manager with Ed Stace, Mike Hearne, Pete Hirst, Dave Fawkes and Matt Phillips – the steepest learning curve of them all, challenging and rewarding – changed me and my outlook immeasurably.
My final move came in August 2025 – having helped restructure and retrain the Sales Team under the guidance of Ged O’Keefe – I moved into a full-time Training and Coaching role – implementing Ged’s approach to sales, whilst imparting almost 20 years of B2B finance experience acquired through previous incarnations LDF, Investec, Cabot Square and finally White Oak.
What particular achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud of playing an integral part of a hugely successful Sales Team for 15 years, proud of my ability to adapt to a business which has reinvented itself more times than Bowie. Proud of coaching and guiding individuals – helping them to identify their strengths and develop their wonderful imperfections – enabling them to create more accomplished, confident, and resilient versions of themselves.
What is it about White Oak UK that makes it such a great place to work?
The people I have worked with, the energy and atmosphere generated by a wonderful sales team, watching people adapt, self-discover and flourish
Finally – describe your time with White Oak UK in three words…
Relentless, enlightening, fulfilling
Emma Jacovou
Early Arrears Co-ordinator
20 years at White Oak UK
What was your role when you started at White Oak UK, and (if applicable) how has that changed or evolved during your time at the company?
I started as a Lead Generator for the Vehicles Team all the way back in 2005! Within a few short months moved up to become the Contact Hire Vehicle Specialist, learning a completely new industry to me in depth. I served in this position for over a decade.
Seeking a new challenge, I applied for and was promoted to the Sales Development Representative Team Leader, managing a team of SDR’s on their journey within the company. I gained an external Management qualification at the local College in the process, alongside becoming a Mental Health First aider, all of which were organised for me by the business.
However, our time during COVID altered the direction and requirements of this department, and it was time for a complete change in career. I became the Early Arrears Co-Ordinator in 2023, to target and concentrate on reducing arrears within the first 20-day window…the frontline! It was the creation of a new role and a new approach for the company, which sits as a smaller section within the Collections Department. Stepping away from a sales role after over 15 years and into the Collections arena was a huge, challenging leap, but I love it!
What particular achievement are you most proud of?
I would have to say leaving my comfort zone of Sales and entering the world of Collections. It’s obviously a completely different approach, different systems, different mentality! It’s an incredibly interesting role, and where I thrive.
What is it about White Oak UK that makes it such a great place to work?
White Oak is a dependable business for its employees. It has offered me the opportunity to grow, develop and give me a structure to be able to raise my family over the course of my 20-year tenure.
White Oak UK’s Memorable Industry Accolades in Recent Years
- Best Business Loan / Asset Finance Provider, Business Moneyfacts Awards, 2020
- Platinum Trusted Service Award, Feefo, 2024
- Recognition for Professional Practice Loans, Kingsley Asset Finance Limited Broker Awards, 2025
- Best Business Loan Provider, Business Moneyfacts Awards, 2026
- Highly Commended Alternative Business Loan Provider, Business Moneyfacts Awards, 2026
Looking Ahead – Our Vision for the Future
Our hopes for the future centre around our vision of making finance accessible for all – we’re striving to streamline the application process even further with our automated eligibility checker, which allows businesses to get an idea of what loan terms and size they will get accepted for without affecting their credit score. We’re also proud to be supporting British SMEs that are exporting their products to customers overseas, acting as an approved UKEF provider.
For more exciting White Oak UK updates, follow us over on LinkedIn.
Talk to us
If you are looking to find the right finance for your business, contact us today.
Discover the right business products all in one place.
Tell us about your business.
