News
LDC strengthens South East team with new investor
23 May 2025
LDC Investment Manager Ana-Maria Garaba has relocated to the leading private equity investor’s Reading office, increasing the firm’s support for management teams across the South East.
Ana-Maria joins LDC’s South East team from its Leeds office, where she spent three and a half years working closely with a range of fast-growing businesses.
In Reading, Ana-Maria will be responsible for originating and leading new investments in the region, with a strong pipeline of opportunities identified across the technology, ICT and business services sectors.
Since joining LDC, Ana-Maria has played a leading role in several investments across the firm’s portfolio, including Pagabo Group, a provider of built environment software and services; UniHomes, a student accommodation advertising platform; and Cellhire, a leader in mobile voice, data, and IoT communications. She also sits on the boards of UniHomes and Red Helix, a provider of cyber-security services to major UK organisations.
Ana-Maria is also an advocate for improving access to capital for underrepresented business leaders. In Leeds, she sat on the board of the Lifted Project, a data-driven initiative aimed at increasing funding opportunities for regional, high-growth female entrepreneurs across Yorkshire.
It’s a fantastic time to be joining our Reading team as the region, home to companies from some of the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative sectors, continues to evolve, presenting ample opportunities for growth. After several years in Yorkshire, I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to the South East to help local management teams achieve their growth objectives.”
Aylesh Patel, Partner and Head of South at LDC, added: “Ana-Maria’s drive and commitment have already made a real impact at LDC. Her move to Reading is the latest in a series of important milestones for our team. I’m confident her expertise and experience will be invaluable as we continue to support ambitious management teams across the South East.”
Before joining LDC in 2022, Ana-Maria spent three years at Lloyds Bank’s leveraged finance team, focusing on mid-market, private equity-backed transactions across diverse sectors.
Ana-Maria’s relocation brings the total size of LDC’s South team to 8. Over the last 10 years, LDC South has invested in 23 businesses with a combined enterprise value of £1.6bn. The team continues to support local charities, including Berkshire-based Camp Mohawk, which provides a place for young people with special needs to learn and achieve their potential.