LDC hires new Investment Manager

Leading mid-market private equity firm LDC has grown its North East team with the appointment of Naomi McDiarmid as an Investment Manager.

Naomi, who will be based in LDC’s Newcastle office on Grey Street, joins the private equity investor following seven years at business advisory firm KPMG, where she was part of its corporate finance and audit teams. In this role, Naomi supported the region’s business leaders on transactions across a range of sectors. This includes LDC’s recent exit of Newcastle-headquartered transport software provider Mandata and LDC’s investment in surveillance solutions supplier WCCTV.

As an Investment Manager, Naomi will be responsible for supporting LDC’s existing portfolio businesses and identifying local business leaders seeking the backing of an investment partner to help realise their growth plans.

Naomi’s appointment follows a busy period for LDC across the North East. At the beginning of the year, the private equity firm supported Mandata’s acquisition of Sterling Solutions, bringing together two of the largest providers of transport management solutions in the sector. Following Mandata’s strong growth, LDC exited its partnership with the business in October after helping the management team to double the business’ revenue and headcount, and grow its customer base from 300 to more than 2,000.

This year LDC’s North East team also supported the merger of leading property businesses Lomond Capital and Linley & Simpson to form The Lomond Group; a network of market-leading lettings and estate agents. Since the merger, LDC has supported the group to make more than 15 acquisitions across the UK.

The firm, which marks its 40th anniversary of backing ambition across the UK, opened its Newcastle office in February 2020, and at the same time announced the appointment of Investment Director Mike Barker.

Commenting on Naomi’s appointment, Gareth Marshall, Head of LDC in the North East, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Naomi to the team. She brings new experience and will be a valuable addition to LDC and the management teams we support.”