Sibner IM secures Maven backing for residential private credit fund

UK private credit manager Sibner Investment Management has received its first institutional backing from Maven Capital Partners.

Wilfrid van Geest (L), Edward Batchelor (R)

This investment will help the fund reach its target of £100 mln (€116 mln) in assets under management by the end of the year.

Launched in March 2025 with capital from family offices, the fund provides £1 mln (€1.16 mln) to £5 mln (€5.8 mln) in finance to residential developers and property owners, targeting a market underserved by traditional banks. The unleveraged fund, managed by Wilfrid van Geest and Edward Batchelor, lends a maximum of 65% net of gross development value, focusing on schemes with planning consent and units priced between £400,000 (€465,000) and £800,000 (€930,000).

Since its launch, the fund has doubled in size, delivering a 10% total return to investors in its first year, including a quarterly dividend of 1.75%. It offers quarterly entry and exit points, a 7% per annum hurdle rate for distributions, and utilizes an insurance-backed personal guarantee product to mitigate enforcement risk.

Wilfrid van Geest, CEO of Sibner Investment Management, said: “Our focus is simple: disciplined, asset‑backed lending supported by strong governance and modern data processes. Institutional backing from Maven is an important step in our growth and reflects confidence in both our approach and the opportunity in the UK SME residential market”.

Edward Batchelor, head of Funds and Investor Relations, added: “We set out to build a credible, transparent and accountable private credit platform. The support from Maven validates that work and positions us well as we continue to scale the fund towards £100m”.

Ben Aspell, director of Maven Capital Partners, said: “We are seeing sustained demand for specialist lenders who can underwrite smaller residential schemes and provide short-term capital where mainstream banks are less active. Sibner’s disciplined approach, low leverage and focus on downside protection align with our investment philosophy. We are pleased to support the next phase of its growth”.