LDC Wins Equity Funder of the Year at the South East Dealmakers Awards 2026

LDC was named Equity Funder of the Year at the South East Dealmakers Awards 2026.

The awards, organised by Insider, took place in Guildford on Thursday 19^th March, and brought together finance professionals and lawyers from across the region to celebrate the successes from the past 12 months.

LDC’s South team, led by Partner and Head of South, Aylesh Patel, was described by the judges as ‘a true South East operator, with detailed deals and significant investment in time and effort plus a collaborative outlook – a worthy winner.’

Over the period, LDC invested in Fareham-based LendingMetrics, a credit risk technology group, and supported its existing portfolio with seven acquisitions in the region. These include Buckinghamshire-based cyber security and network performance company Red Helix’s acquisition of security consultancy Risk Crew; Brighton-based passenger communications provider 15below’s acquisition of conversational AI platform Airport AI, and Croydon-based healthcare fulfilment specialist RDi’s acquisition of AI specialist Inicio Health.

LDC’s South team has also continued to expand, strengthening its support for businesses across the South East, and has continued to give back to the communities in which its team members live and work, including supporting Berkshire-based Camp Mohawk to provide a place for children and young people with special needs to learn and achieve their potential.

This builds on decade of commitment to the region, which has seen LDC’s Reading-based South team complete 23 new investments with a combined enterprise value of £1.7bn and generate £846m of proceeds across its exits.

LDC extends its congratulations to all companies and individuals who won or were shortlisted at the South East Dealmakers Awards 2026. You can view the full list of winners here.