Project Funding
Senior secured facilities and principal investment for institutional-scale projects.
Aberdeen Corporate Finance structures and deploys bespoke capital solutions for large-scale commercial projects through two distinct facility programmes: Senior Secured Commercial Facilities commencing at £20 million with leverage of up to 82% Loan-to-Value, and Principal Co-Investment from £75 million for qualifying ventures within our target sectors.
Our capital is positioned for borrowers whose requirements exceed the risk appetite of conventional banking institutions, whose transaction structures demand bespoke credit engineering, or whose deployment timelines necessitate accelerated execution. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a minimum cash position of £2–5 million and the capacity to furnish equity deposits of 20–25% of the aggregate facility, commensurate with transaction size and complexity. Each application is subject to rigorous institutional-grade underwriting — including on-site evaluation, management due diligence, and independent third-party valuation.
Senior Facilities
Maximum LTV
Principal Investment
Indicative Coupon
Target Sectors for Principal Investment
For transactions with an aggregate value of £75 million and above, we deploy capital as a principal co-investor across the following strategic asset classes.
Real Estate & Hospitality
Institutional-grade commercial properties, hospitality assets, retail centres, healthcare campuses, and educational facilities. We target income-producing real estate with demonstrable yield profiles and capital appreciation fundamentals.
Renewable Energy & Infrastructure
Utility-scale wind and solar generation assets. We provide structured finance for clean energy infrastructure underpinned by long-dated power purchase agreements and sovereign-backed incentive regimes.
Digital Infrastructure & Technology
Fibre-optic networks, high-speed wireless platforms, and data centre developments. Capital-intensive connectivity infrastructure serving the accelerating demand for digital bandwidth and cloud services.
Natural Resources & Extractives
Downstream refining, quarrying, mining concessions, and forestry operations. We finance resource-backed projects with tangible reserves, established offtake arrangements, and independently verified asset bases.
Facility Tiers & Equity Requirements
Equity deposit and commitment fee obligations are calibrated to the aggregate transaction value. A minimum verified cash position of £2–5 million is required at the point of application.
| Transaction Size | Equity Deposit | Commitment Fee | Evaluation Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| £40M – £89M | 20% | £1.45M | 1 Month |
| £90M – £249M | 22% | £1.95M | 2–3 Months |
| £250M+ | 25% | £3.75M | 4–6 Months |
Facility Eligibility Criteria
| Prerequisite | £50–70M Facilities | £75M+ Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Aggregate Facility Value | £50–70 Million | £75 Million Onward |
| Equity Contribution (Deposit Fund) | 20% | 25% |
| Collateral (Real Property, Land, Tangible Assets) | Required | Required |
| Curriculum Vitae of Directors & Key Principals | Required | Required |
| Statement of Assets & Liabilities | Required | Required |
| Three Years' Audited Financial Statements | Required | Required |
| Regulatory Licences & Permits | Required | Required |
| Comprehensive Business Plan | Required | Required |
| Independent Valuation (Top-Tier International Firm) | Required | Required |
| Feasibility Study (Greenfield Developments) | Required | Required |
Indicative Facility Terms
| Parameter | £50–70M | £75M+ |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation Period (On-Site & Desktop) | 12 Days | 12 Days |
| Maximum Loan-to-Value Ratio | Up to 80% | Up to 75% |
| Indicative Coupon Rate (Per Annum) | From 4.00% | From 4.25% |
| Interest-Only Period (Capital Holiday) | 18 Months | 24 Months |
| Anticipated Drawdown Timeline | Up to 12 Weeks | Up to 12 Weeks |
Fee Schedule
| Fee Description | £50–70M | £75M+ |
|---|---|---|
| Arrangement Fee (Netted at Drawdown) | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Cooperating Institution Fee (Netted at Drawdown) | 1% | 1% |
| Calling Fee (Elective — Proof of Funds Certification) | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Commitment Fee (Payable Upon Acceptance) | £275,000 | £385,000 |
| Due Diligence (Evaluation, Valuation & Legal Counsel) | As Incurred | As Incurred |
Illustrative Facility Structures
Land Acquisition Facility
Maximum 60% Loan-to-Value
Land & Development Facility
Maximum 70% Loan-to-Value (GDV Basis)
Structuring Note: Facilities are structured to ensure adequate coverage of the borrower's capital expenditure requirements together with sufficient working capital headroom. Equity deposits may be progressively released on a milestone basis or capitalised into the facility at the lender's discretion, subject to prevailing LTV covenant compliance and ongoing project risk assessment.
Origination Process
A structured four-stage origination framework from preliminary submission through to formal legal commitment.
Preliminary Submission
Submit a concise Executive Summary outlining the project scope, capital requirement, asset class, jurisdiction, and anticipated deployment timeline. Our origination team conducts an initial desktop review to assess strategic alignment.
Documentation & Underwriting Pack
Furnish the comprehensive underwriting package: Business Plan, independent Valuation Report from a recognised international firm, and Feasibility Study (for greenfield developments). This forms the foundation of our credit assessment.
Evaluation & Term Sheet Issuance
Subject to satisfactory preliminary review, we issue a Draft Indicative Term Sheet and commission a full site evaluation — encompassing stakeholder interviews with the borrower, senior management, principal contractors, and independent consultants. Final terms are issued upon completion of the evaluation.
Legal Execution & Commitment
The transaction proceeds to formal lawyer-to-lawyer engagement. Both parties' legal counsel negotiate and execute the Facility Agreement. Commitment fees are lodged, conditions precedent are satisfied, and the structured lending process formally commences.
Indicative Transaction Timeline
Procedural milestones and anticipated durations from initial credit assessment through to facility drawdown.
Preliminary Credit Assessment
Upon receipt of the initial submission, our credit committee conducts a preliminary assessment and confirms whether a provisional indication of terms will be extended to the applicant.
Term Sheet Acceptance & Fee Remittance
The borrower formally accepts the Indicative Term Sheet and remits the Evaluation Fee, Legal Retainer, and Trust Administration Fee to the designated solicitor's trust account.
On-Site Evaluation & Stakeholder Review
Comprehensive site inspection, operational assessment, structured stakeholder interviews, and forensic review of all documentation including independent valuations, audited financials, and regulatory licences.
Draft Facility Agreement
Upon mutual agreement of the final facility structure, the transaction transitions to formal legal engagement. The Commitment Fee is placed with the borrower's solicitor under an irrevocable undertaking.
Commitment Letter Execution & Equity Deposit
Lender's counsel prepares and issues the formal Commitment Letter. Upon execution by both parties, the borrower places the agreed equity deposit into the designated escrow account.
Final Due Diligence & Facility Drawdown
Completion of all remaining due diligence, credit approval, legal documentation, and funding arrangements. Drawdown is contingent upon satisfaction of all conditions precedent, timely deposit of funds, and execution of all legal formalities.
Conditions Precedent & Due Diligence
All applications are subject to comprehensive institutional-grade due diligence. The following conditions must be satisfied prior to credit committee approval and execution of definitive facility documentation.
Security Package
All facilities are structured as senior secured obligations. The standard security package comprises:
First Ranking Legal Charge
Registered mortgage over the project property and all related freehold and leasehold interests
Equity Deposit
Cash collateral held in escrow as evidence of the borrower's equity commitment to the transaction
Fixed & Floating Charge
Comprehensive debenture over all present and future assets of the borrower or acquisition vehicle
Assignment of Revenue Streams
Assignment of project income, insurance proceeds, and all material operating contracts in favour of the lender
Share Pledge & Security
Pledge of 100% of the issued share capital in the project company or acquired entity
Subordination of Shareholder Debt
Formal subordination of all intra-group and shareholder loans to the senior facility obligations
Post-Completion Optionality
Following a continuous twelve (12) month period of contractual interest service, and within a commercially reasonable window thereafter, the borrower and lender may, by mutual written agreement, elect to exercise one or both of the following restructuring mechanisms:
Debt-to-Equity Conversion
Conversion of a defined portion of the outstanding facility balance into a structured equity participation, whereby the lender assumes a co-investment position in the special purpose vehicle or operating entity.
Asset Acquisition Option
The lender may exercise an option to acquire the underlying asset or portfolio in bulk, at a valuation methodology and pricing basis to be mutually agreed between the parties at the point of exercise.
Application & Information Requirements
Registered entity name, project designation, and site address
Facility type classification — Acquisition, Development, Land, or Refinancing
Executive project summary and aggregate capital requirement
Current independent valuation report for the underlying asset(s)
Verification of minimum £2M–£4M liquid cash position
Confirmation of capacity to furnish 20%–40% equity deposit
Valuation and quantity surveyor reports (or confirmed commissioning timeline)
All material regulatory licences, planning consents, and permits
Post-completion exit strategy — Disposal, Income Hold, or Partial Retention
Phased drawdown schedule with itemised use-of-proceeds per tranche
Detailed construction cost estimates and professional fee schedules per phase
Projected gross development value and debt service repayment model
Important Regulatory Disclosure: Aberdeen Corporate Finance Limited acts as a principal lender and co-investment partner in respect of project funding facilities. All facilities are subject to satisfactory credit underwriting, independent valuation, security perfection, and formal credit committee approval. Interest rates, loan-to-value ratios, fee structures, and facility terms set forth herein are indicative only and remain subject to final confirmation upon completion of due diligence and based on the specific risk profile, jurisdiction, and asset class of the proposed transaction. Evaluation fees are non-refundable and deemed fully earned upon commencement of the due diligence process. The lender reserves the absolute right to amend, withdraw, or decline any indication of terms in the event of material delay, adverse findings, or the discovery of information not previously disclosed. All representations made by the borrower must be accurate, complete, and independently verifiable. Aberdeen Corporate Finance Limited is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Seeking Capital for a Major Project?
Submit a concise Executive Summary of your project and capital requirements. Our origination team will conduct a preliminary assessment and respond within two business days.
Submit an Enquiry