Asset-based lending: A powerful tool for mid-market value creation

Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 18:00 - 20:30 | Evening Event

As exit markets remain constrained and capital structures evolve, asset-based lending (ABL) is becoming an increasingly important tool for private equity sponsors and mid-market investors.   

Join us in London for an in-person evening exploring how ABL is being used to unlock value, enhance liquidity, and structure resilient capital stacks across dividend recaps, buy-and-build strategies, carve-outs, and turnaround situations.  

This networking evening will host a panel of experts and practitioners from private equity, lending, and valuation to share practical insights, real-world deal perspectives and lessons from today’s market. The panel will be hosted by Tom Weedall, Head of Wells Fargo Capital Finance UK.  
Following the panel, you will have an opportunity to join networking and drinks with peers from across the UK and European private markets.  
 
What you’ll learn:  

• How private equity sponsors are using ABL to drive value and liquidity in today’s market  
• When asset-based lending outperforms cash-flow lending and Unitranche structures  
• How ABL supports complex transactions such as carve-outs and buy-and-build strategies  
• Key considerations in structuring capital stacks across different market conditions  
• Lessons learn from recent mid-market transactions

Timings 

Registration: 18:00 -18:30

Event: 18:30 - 19:30

Networking: 19:30 - 20:30 

Speakers

Community Host: Joe Wood, CFA UK Private Markets Community Champion

Tom Weedall, EMEA Head of Commercial Bank and WFCF UK, Wells Fargo 

Tom Weedall is EMEA Group Head of Capital Finance within Commercial Banking, leading the Asset Based Lending business outside North America. He also chairs the WFCF (UK) Limited board and manages the global cross-border team.
With over 20 years’ experience in commercial finance, structured credit, and asset-based lending, Tom has held senior leadership roles at GE Capital and Wells Fargo, with deep expertise across portfolio management, credit risk, underwriting, originations, and complex UK and cross-border exposures.
Most recently, he co-founded a UK mid-market private credit fund, raising £350m of institutional capital and growing the loan book beyond £200m. He holds a business degree from the University of Manchester.

Chris Hall, Executive Director, Hilco Global Professional Services

Chris has over 40 years’ experience in asset appraisal, advisory, and disposal across diverse asset classes in Europe and globally. He brings deep expertise from working with private companies and financial institutions, and as an auctioneer has led live sales to audiences of over 10,000 and more than 40,000 participants worldwide via webcast. Chris advises leading asset-based lenders, banks, PE and hedge funds, accounting firms, and corporates, providing strategic guidance on transactions, loan security, and complex cross-border deals. He has delivered major appraisal and disposal projects across Europe, executed successful exit strategies, and served as an expert witness.

Marc Finer, Principal, Debt Financing and Capital Markets, Aurelius

Marc joined financial sponsor AURELIUS in March 2024 as a Principal in the firm’s Debt Financing & Capital Markets team based in London. Marc is responsible for arranging debt financing for M&A transactions and for supporting portfolio companies on all financing matters. AURELIUS’s investment strategy focused on corporate carve-outs means Marc’s work frequently involves complex cross-border deals, with ABL being among a range of financing solutions utilised. Prior to joining AURELIUS, Marc was a Director in KPMG’s UK Debt Advisory team, where he led the firm’s ABL practice for over 10 years. He is a longstanding member of SFNet Europe’s SteerCo.

Jake Hyman, Managing Director, Blazehill Capital

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