Meet the Leumi ABL London Sales Team

Leumi ABL’s London team of Ryan Whitworth, Katherine Weeden and Nav Patel had a highly successful 2025, achieving c.£1.1bn total facilities in place, across a range of sectors.

Backed by years of hands-on experience in the industry and the trust they’ve built with long-standing partners, the team has demonstrated the vital role asset-based lending can play in a range of business situations, including everything from private equity houses undertaking acquisitions and disposals through to high growth startups taking the next step and management buy-outs.

The team has executed transactions across a broad range of sectors – recent deals include providing a £5.5m facility to specialist software engineering company Signify Technology Group, agreeing a £50m asset based lending facility with Sigma Pharmaceuticals, and providing a €101 million refinancing package to Oxalis Logistics Group and Tank und Silo Group, two leading bulk transport providers owned by AUCTUS.

On the back of this strong performance, we wanted to shine a light on the individuals behind the numbers, and let the team tell you a little more about themselves in their own words.

Ryan Whitworth - Head of London Sales

Background

I've taken a roundabout route to asset-based lending, as I started my career in retail with store and area management roles at B&Q and Wickes.

My first step into finance was in a Local Business role at Barclays. I had talented colleagues who introduced me to lending, and I loved it from day one. I progressed into corporate roles at Barclays before moving to Santander where I broadened my experience in leverage and growth lending.

I moved into asset-based lending in 2017, drawn to the consultative approach required in ABL and the need to think creatively to find solutions that work today and can scale for the future.

Favourite transactions

One of my favourite recent deals was with an aircraft tyre manufacture – it is a cracking business that was understandably impacted by Covid lockdowns and travel restrictions.  Despite never having an ABL facility before, we developed a complex solution funding receivables, inventory, and plant assets for entities on both sides of the Atlantic. We worked quickly with the capable management team and sponsor, and the business has gone from strength to strength since.

Why asset-based lending?

I enjoy working creatively with talented management teams, delivering financing that can have a transformational impact on a business' long-term prospects. It's relationship-driven, and you have to think differently and operate collaboratively, which is incredibly rewarding.

Katharine Weeden – Regional Sales Director, London

Background

I've worked in ABL for over 35 years, including twenty at Lloyds during UK asset based lending's early days. After time at an ABL advisory firm, I spent five and a half years in ABN Amro's large corporate sales team, developing complex financing solutions that involved mixing ABL with other banking products and working on syndicated transactions as a participant and lead.

Over the past five years I've developed a keen interest in sustainability in finance, helping clients understand potential risks and benefits while discussing solutions to futureproof their businesses.

Favourite transactions

I've worked on numerous large and complex transactions through my career. I was particularly proud to work with Sigma Pharmaceuticals, a second generation family business, where I worked closely with the team over a long period of time before closing a £50m facility to support the continued growth of the business.

Why asset-based lending?

After 35 years in Asset Based Lending, I remain passionate about working with outstanding management teams and Private Equity sponsors structuring facilities that support growth.

During my career I have worked on transactions which have optimised working capital, funded acquisitions, supported turnarounds and aided dividend recapitalisation.

Nav Patel – Regional Sales Manager, London & South East

Background

Despite studying maths, finance and actuarial science at university in New Zealand, I had an unusual path to the industry, initially working for Deloitte and Cigna Insurance while pursuing professional cricket.

After moving to the UK in 2018, I found my way to Leumi ABL after chatting to one of the Board members of my cricket club, who happened to be the CEO of LABL at the time! I joined the business in 2019 and have greatly enjoyed building my network in this space, focusing on originating and executing deals in the sales team over the past four years.

Favourite transactions

One of the standout deals to date has been working alongside my colleague John Walsh on a €101m bilateral facility for the German private equity house AUCTUS, which supported the Project Safety Group and remains one of Leumi ABL’s largest bilateral transactions to date. This deal showcased our ability to fund across multiple jurisdictions while demonstrating creativity, flexibility and our commitment to supporting clients through challenging environments.

Why asset-based lending

Over the past seven years, I've found it fascinating to see how helpful asset based lending solutions can be for businesses. Building relationships with capable, forward-thinking management teams has been hugely rewarding, and with Leumi ABL's ability to fund larger deals, I'm excited about the opportunities ahead.