LDC expands Yorkshire team with new appointment

LDC, the leading private equity investor, has appointed Connie Smith as an Investment Executive to increase the backing of businesses across Yorkshire and support the firm’s national commitment to continue to invest right across the UK.

Connie joins LDC from YFM Equity Partners, where she supported new investments into fast-growing businesses. She began her career as an Investment Analyst at Mercia Asset Management, supporting early-stage companies backed by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

In her new role, Connie will work alongside LDC’s team in Leeds to identify Yorkshire businesses that are looking to move to the next stage of their growth journey with the support of private equity.

Her appointment follows busy start to 2025 for LDC in Yorkshire. In January, the team moved to a new office in the heart of Leeds’ business district and in the same month LDC-backed Bramble Foods acquired Skipton-based Whitakers Chocolates.

LDC has completed several transactions in the last year, including backing the management team behind Hull-based Pagabo Group, a market-leader in build-environment software and services, and an investment into fourth-generation family business Bullen Healthcare.

The team has also supported sustainable growth across its Yorkshire portfolio, including Boston Energy moving into a new headquarters in East Yorkshire following its continued expansion. Three of its portfolio businesses – UniHomes, BCIS, and Spyro (a division of Pagabo Group) – were also all named among the UK’s fastest-growing technology businesses at the Northern Tech Awards 2025.

Dan Smith, Partner and Head of LDC in Yorkshire, said: “Connie’s appointment will help us to support even more dynamic, home-grown Yorkshire companies, and we’re very excited to have her on the team. Our local presence and understanding of the region’s business landscape means we’re better placed than ever to help management teams to achieve their ambitions.”