Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Sells Global Loan Agency Services to Oakley Capital

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Sells GLAS to Oakley Capital

Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, commonly referred to as LLCP, has made headlines by announcing the sale of its portfolio company, Global Loan Agency Services (GLAS), to Oakley Capital, a prominent private equity firm based in Europe. This significant move, detailed in a press release, underscores the strategic alignments within the financial services industry and highlights LLCP's successful track record in private equity investments.

Overview of the Transaction

On January 6, 2026, LLCP confirmed the agreement to divest GLAS, a leading independent provider of loan agency and trustee services for global debt markets. While the financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed, the completion is contingent upon regulatory approvals, ensuring that all legal standards are met before finalizing the sale.

GLAS, headquartered in London, has established itself as a vital player in the financial landscape, offering essential solutions to lenders and borrowers engaged in syndicated loans, direct lending, and capital market transactions. The company has gained recognition as a trusted partner, adept at navigating the complexities associated with financing structures worldwide.

Growth Under LLCP

Since LLCP acquired GLAS, the firm has experienced remarkable growth. Notably, the assets managed by GLAS surged from approximately $120 billion in 2021 to over $750 billion today. This impressive trajectory can be attributed to a strategic combination of acquisitions, geographical expansions, introduction of new services, and investments in technology aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer experience.

Josh Kaufman, a partner and head of LLCP Europe, expressed pride in GLAS’s accomplishments as a flagship result for LLCP’s European operations. He stated, “We are incredibly proud of the work we've done with Mia Drennan and her management team to build a market-leading independent loan agency. We look forward to their continued growth and success with their new partner.”

Mia Drennan, the founder and CEO of GLAS, echoed this sentiment, voicing gratitude for LLCP's support throughout their growth phase. She emphasized the anticipation of further solidifying their market leadership with Oakley Capital as a renewed partner, aiming to elevate GLAS to even greater heights.

The Strategic Importance of the Sale

This transaction marks LLCP Europe II SCSp's second exit, reinforcing LLCP's strategic approach to managing its investment portfolio. The firm has consistently identified opportunities to maximize value for its investors while facilitating the scaling of its portfolio companies. In this instance, the partnership with Oakley Capital aligns with GLAS's goals of expanding its market presence and enhancing service offerings.

Deutsche Bank AG and Robert W. Baird Limited acted as joint financial advisors in this transition, while Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP provided legal guidance to both LLCP and GLAS throughout the process, ensuring a smooth transaction.

About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Based on over 41 years of investment expertise, LLCP is a mid-sized private equity firm focused on various sectors, including business services, franchising, education, and manufacturing. They employ a differentiated investment strategy, balancing debt and equity investments in their portfolio companies. This approach seeks to provide growth capital to management teams within a flexible investment framework, often viewed as a more attractive alternative to traditional private equity structures.

Through a global network of dedicated investment professionals, LLCP has managed around $18.1 billion across nearly 20 funds, investing in approximately 120 portfolio companies. Currently, they oversee $12.6 billion in assets, maintaining a presence in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and London, among others.

As GLAS transitions into its new chapter under Oakley Capital, industry watchers will be keenly interested in how the company continues to evolve and capitalize on future opportunities in the rapidly changing financial landscape.