BZ expands transaction expertise with senior appointment
BZ, the UK’s leading mid-market asset-based lending specialist, has appointed Yuhi Ohno as director of Origination, Structuring and Analysis. This senior hire reinforces BZ’s commitment to funding complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions.
Yuhi brings over 12 years’ specialised experience in asset-based lending, leveraged finance, cross-border lending, and restructuring. He joins BZ from PNC, where he held the position of regional director. Prior to that, he spent four and a half years at Gordon Brothers, ultimately serving as director in their Capital team. His career began at EY, where he gained foundational experience in both their London Audit team and Restructuring team.
Throughout his career, Yuhi has developed a proven track record in deal structuring, credit analysis, financial modelling, financial restructuring, and due diligence across UK, European, and Australian markets, bringing exceptional expertise to enhance BZ’s international capabilities.
Working closely with the origination team, Yuhi focuses on structuring and underwriting cross-border ABL and cashflow transactions. His extensive experience in asset-based lending and leveraged finance across the capital structure, allows him to offer creative, solutions-driven approaches that go beyond traditional underwriting.
Yuhi, who relocated from Japan to the UK in 2007, is a chartered accountant (ACA) and holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BA from the University of Sheffield.
Since establishing its association with Davidson Kempner Capital Management five years ago, BZ has delivered £4.4bn in total cumulative advances and underwritten £800m in new transactions, demonstrating consistent delivery of ABL and cashflow financing solutions across multiple jurisdictions and asset classes.
Commenting on his appointment, Yuhi Ohno said: “BZ’s unique blend of asset-based lending and leveraged finance immediately resonated with me. The opportunity to structure complex, cross-border transactions in a non-commoditised segment of the market is particularly compelling. I was drawn to BZ’s flat organisational structure and collaborative culture, which foster an environment where we can develop innovative solutions for clients underserved by traditional banks and direct lenders. My background in both underwriting and origination together with my expertise in leveraged finance and asset-based lending gives me a distinctive perspective on structuring deals beyond traditional underwriting.”
Peter Jaffe, chief executive officer of BZ, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Yuhi to the BZ team. His extensive expertise makes him exceptionally well-suited to structuring transactions in the mid-market. Yuhi’s appointment significantly enhances our ability to support clients with complex financial requirements where the ability to deliver certainty of execution is paramount.”