Freshstream partners with leading SME finance platform Portman Finance Group
Freshstream Investment Partners LLP (“Freshstream”) today announces that it has agreed to invest in Portman Finance Group (“Portman”), a leading finance distribution platform helping SME businesses access a wide range of commercial funding solutions.
Founded in 2007 by CEO Alex Read and headquartered in Northampton, Portman has built a scaled platform serving businesses across the UK. The business connects SMEs with a broad range of funding solutions through a panel of more than 45 lending partners alongside its own lending activities. Over recent years, Portman has delivered strong growth while expanding its product offering beyond asset finance into a broader range of SME funding solutions. The business was recently recognised by the Sunday Times and the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK and Europe, respectively.
Freshstream is partnering with the management team to support the next stage of growth, drawing on its experience backing ambitious entrepreneur-led businesses and helping them scale over the long term. Freshstream is investing alongside Alex Read and the wider management team, who will continue to lead the business and retain a majority ownership stake in the group.
Portman will become the tenth investment from Freshstream’s first independent fund, which closed in 2023 having raised €762m. The business joins a portfolio of entrepreneur-led growth companies across Europe, including Bella Figura Music, Detertech, G2V Group, MCR, My Jewellery, Project Better Energy and Worldstream.
Alex Read, CEO of Portman Finance Group, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Freshstream as Portman enters its next phase of growth. Freshstream shares our ambition for the business and brings the experience and expertise to help us build on the strong momentum we have created. Together, we see a significant opportunity to expand our reach, support more SMEs and continue developing one of the UK’s leading commercial finance platforms.”
Tom Carroll, partner at Freshstream, commented: “Alex and the team have built a highly impressive and fast-growing business that plays an important role in helping SMEs access funding. The quality of the management team and their entrepreneurial spirit stood out from day one, and we believe there is a significant opportunity ahead. We are delighted to be partnering with Portman and look forward to supporting the business as it enters its next phase of growth.”
Portman and its shareholders were advised by Stephens and Travers Smith. Freshstream was advised by Moelis & Company, Clearwater International and Willkie Farr & Gallagher.