Birchwood Real Estate Capital, a real estate lending business founded in 2022 by former Blackstone, L&G and Delancey executive Lorna Brown, has further expanded its debt origination team with the hire of Libby Thelwall as director.
Thelwall began her career at UBS Asset Management and went on to be a director at Legal & General focusing on UK and European real estate debt origination and execution. During six years at L&G, she was responsible for sourcing lending opportunities for a range of institutional clients and L&G’s credit fund. Thelwall also helped to build out the US real estate debt arm of L&G.
Thelwall, together with Brown and Kate Tovey reunites a team that previously worked together at Legal & General Investment Management.
After an active first year in business, Birchwood is currently engaged on further £300 mln of asset financings across a range of sectors.
Lorna Brown, Chief Executive at Birchwood, said: 'Given the number of opportunities we are seeing, this is an excellent time to further expand the team. Libby’s experience working globally, managing all aspects of real estate lending will be useful as we continue our growth. We have had an extremely successful first year and are proud to have provided financing to support high quality sponsors in a changing real estate market. We look forward to another strong year ahead.'
Libby Thelwall, director at Birchwood, said: 'I am delighted to join Birchwood and help grow the business as a go-to industry-leading lender. The current market is challenging but will bring some amazing opportunities for value creation by sponsors.'
