Gatehouse Financial Group has sold its build-to-rent platform to Apollo in a move designed to accelerate its retail banking and home finance ambitions.

The disposal of Gatehouse Living Group (GLG) marks a strategic pivot away from institutional residential investment and towards scaling its UK mortgage and home finance proposition.

The deal is expected to free up capital and management focus, enabling Gatehouse Bank to expand its product offering across UK residents, expats and international borrowers.

GLG, which includes Ascend Properties, has been a major player in the UK’s single-family build-to-rent sector, managing more than 10,000 homes nationwide and partnering with global institutional investors.

ALTERNATIVE LENDING

However, the sale signals a clear shift in priorities as Gatehouse looks to deepen its presence in the increasingly competitive home finance market, where demand for specialist and alternative lending solutions continues to grow.

The bank has already seen strong appetite for its Shariah-compliant home purchase plans and buy-to-let products, particularly among underserved borrower segments, including expats and overseas investors seeking UK property exposure.

By exiting its vertically integrated BTR platform, Gatehouse is positioning itself to deploy capital more efficiently into retail lending, with a focus on product innovation, distribution expansion and scaling origination volumes.

CRITICAL ROLE

Fahed Boodai (main picture), chairman of Gatehouse Financial Group, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the critical role Gatehouse has played in establishing and growing the UK institutional rental housing market, creating a holistic platform that strategically supports the sector and accelerates the delivery of much-needed, high-quality housing.

“The transaction with Apollo is a testament to Gatehouse’s pioneering position in the market, the strength of the platform and track record we built over the last 10 years.”

Edward Jones, partner at Apollo, added: “Gatehouse Living Group, under Gatehouse Bank’s stewardship, has established itself as a vertically integrated leader in the UK housing sector, supporting the supply of high-quality, professionally managed rental homes.

“We look forward to working closely with management to further enhance and expand its operational capabilities and to supporting the platform’s continued success as the UK focuses on bolstering homebuilding across tenures and attracting more investment to the sector.”