About LDC

LDC is one of the UK's leading private equity investors and a wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group. With a track record spanning over four decades, LDC has invested billions of pounds in middle-market businesses across the United Kingdom, supporting management teams through buyouts, development capital, and acquisition funding. The firm operates from multiple regional offices and London, deploying capital across a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, business services, and consumer goods. LDC's investment philosophy centres on long-term, responsible growth. The firm partners with ambitious management teams, providing not only financial backing but also strategic guidance, operational expertise, and access to an extensive network of industry contacts. In recent years, LDC has continued to expand its team and strengthen its leadership as part of a deliberate long-term growth strategy, reflected in a series of well-deserved promotions across its investment, origination, and fund finance functions.

The Role: Investment Director

We are seeking an experienced and driven Investment Director to join our London-based investment team. In this senior leadership position, you will take a leading role in originating, executing, and managing private equity investments across the UK middle market. You will work closely with the deal origination team to identify attractive investment opportunities, lead transaction negotiations, and serve as a board member or board observer within portfolio companies to drive value creation. This is a high-impact role suited to someone who thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment and who is passionate about helping businesses achieve their full potential. You will report to senior leadership and play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the firm's investment activity.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end execution of private equity transactions, from initial screening and due diligence through to completion, ensuring deals meet LDC's investment criteria and return thresholds.
Originate new investment opportunities by building and maintaining relationships with intermediaries, management teams, corporate finance advisors, and sector specialists across the UK.
Conduct detailed financial modelling, valuation analysis, and commercial due diligence on prospective investments, presenting investment recommendations to the Investment Committee with clear risk assessments and return profiles.
Negotiate transaction terms, legal documentation, and shareholder agreements in collaboration with external legal counsel and co-investors where applicable.
Provide strategic oversight and hands-on support to portfolio companies, attending board meetings and working alongside management teams to develop and implement value creation plans covering organic growth, operational improvement, digital transformation, and buy-and-build strategies.
Monitor portfolio company performance against budget and forecast, identifying early warning signs of underperformance and recommending corrective actions.
Mentor and develop junior investment professionals, including investment managers and investment associates, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence within the team.
Contribute to fundraising activities by supporting the fund finance team with investor reporting, performance data, and ad hoc queries from limited partners.
Represent LDC at industry conferences, networking events, and sector forums, enhancing the firm's profile and deal flow pipeline.
Stay abreast of macroeconomic trends, regulatory developments, and sector-specific dynamics that may affect the UK middle-market investment landscape.

Work Environment and Culture

LDC operates a collaborative, meritocratic culture where initiative and intellectual curiosity are highly valued. The London office serves as the firm's headquarters and hub for national deal activity. You will work alongside a talented and close-knit team of investment professionals who are genuinely committed to delivering outstanding returns while supporting the growth of UK businesses. The firm promotes a healthy work-life balance and recognises that sustainable high performance comes from a supportive environment. Regular team socials, charity initiatives, and professional development programmes are all part of life at LDC. The firm is proud of its recent promotions, which reflect a genuine commitment to recognising and rewarding talent from within.

Requirements

Minimum of 10 years of experience in private equity, corporate finance, management consulting, or a related advisory discipline, with a demonstrable track record of leading transactions from origination through to exit.
Strong academic background, ideally with a degree from a leading university. Professional qualifications such as ACA, CFA, or MBA are highly regarded.
Proven experience in financial modelling, company valuation (DCF, comparable company analysis, precedent transactions), and due diligence management.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage credibly with CEOs, CFOs, founders, and advisory professionals at the highest level.
Strong leadership and team management experience, with a track record of developing junior colleagues.
Sound understanding of UK company law, tax structuring, and the legal frameworks governing private equity transactions.
Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple concurrent transactions and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Technical Skills and Tools

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for financial modelling and scenario analysis.
Experience with deal management platforms such as DealCloud, Midaxo, or similar CRM tools.
Familiarity with data rooms (Intralinks, Datasite, or Ansarada) and due diligence workflows.
Working knowledge of Capital IQ, PitchBook, or Preqin for market and comparable analysis.
Proficiency in PowerPoint for Investment Committee presentations and investor reporting.
Understanding of ERP and accounting systems (SAP, Sage, or Xero) as they relate to portfolio company financial oversight.

Benefits and Compensation

Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, benchmarked against the UK private equity market.
Performance-related annual bonus tied to individual and firm-wide results.
Carried interest participation in the firm's investment funds, providing the opportunity to share directly in investment returns.
Private medical insurance for you and your family.
Generous pension contribution through the Lloyds Banking Group scheme.
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional days.
Life assurance and income protection cover.
Support for professional development, including study leave and sponsorship for relevant qualifications.
Access to the broader Lloyds Banking Group benefits platform, including retail discounts, cycle-to-work scheme, and wellbeing resources.

Career Growth

LDC is committed to long-term growth, and that philosophy extends to its people. The firm has a strong track record of internal promotion, as evidenced by the recent advancement of team members to investment director, investment manager, and senior fund controller roles. As an Investment Director, you will have a clear pathway to more senior leadership positions, including potential progression to Head of Investment, Partner, or Managing Director over time. You will also gain broad exposure to the Lloyds Banking Group ecosystem, opening doors to wider career opportunities within one of the UK's most respected financial institutions.

How to Apply

If you are a senior investment professional ready to take the next step in your career with a leading UK private equity firm, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a brief summary of your most relevant deal experience. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an initial conversation with the hiring team, followed by a series of in-person interviews in London, including a case study exercise and a final-stage meeting with senior partners. We aim to complete the hiring process within four to six weeks of the closing date for applications.