Investors and entrepreneurs across the UK and Europe benefit from our team’s international expertise in hotel construction and investment finance, with facilities starting from £10 million.
Our hotel financing solutions
At Leumi UK, we provide a sophisticated specialist offering to development companies, investment funds, and owner-operators of hotels.
We are able to:
- Extend credit facilities from £10 million;
- Provide hotel development finance with tenors of up to five years, and;
- Offer investment finance for up to a maximum of 10 years.
With expertise in financing a range of transactions – from portfolio acquisitions and refinancing, to conversion and renovation projects – we can facilitate construction projects and support cash flow, in addition to financing trading hotels.
What makes hotel finance at Leumi UK different?
At Leumi UK we offer:
- A customer-focused approach. Unlike many other financiers, we are specialists. Together with our commitment to building long-lasting relationships with our clients, we are able to address the specific needs of hotel operators and owners in prime city-centre locations;
- Continental reach. We provide hotel financing for city-centre projects in both the UK and across selected countries in Europe – while also facilitating select regional projects;
- Speed and delivery. Our experienced and professional team prides itself on its speed of decision making on behalf of our clients – a particularly crucial asset in what we know to be a fast-moving industry.
Get In Touch
Louise Gillon
Head of Hotel Finance
Louise has headed Leumi UK’s Hotel Finance team since 2008. Channeling a background in financing construction projects and market analysis, she has established herself as a respected authority in the sector and a champion of the hospitality industry. With a particular focus on boutique, luxury hotels in prime city centre locations, she has supported hoteliers and investors throughout some of the industry’s toughest times with flexible, expert-led facilities to suit the needs of their growing businesses. Louise is a regular speaker at industry events and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Annual Hotel Conference.
James Greenwood
Relationship Director
James brings over a decade of experience in the financial sector. Specialising in real estate development, he currently manages a portfolio exceeding £100 million. James began his tenure at Leumi UK as a Deputy Relationship Manager in 2018 and was promoted to his current role in 2022, where he excels in client relationship management and business development.
Prior to Leumi UK, James worked at QNB Group and Barclays Corporate Banking, where he demonstrated expertise in credit management, client servicing, and compliance with UK banking regulations. His early career as a Trainee Accountant at SRG Newmans, combined with his ACCA studies, laid a solid foundation in financial analysis and accounting.
Liam Mullans
Relationship Director
Liam brings over a decade of expertise in the financial services industry. Liam specialises in relationship management and deal execution within the hotel finance sector. His work not only focuses on the UK market but also extends to supporting hotel operations in Western European countries, demonstrating his international expertise in the hotel financing sector.
His portfolio encompasses diverse projects, ranging from trading hotels to construction ventures. Liam is well versed in working with both private and institutional investors, ensuring the successful implementation of financial solutions tailored to their unique needs.
Prior to joining Leumi UK, Liam served as an Area Manager at Lloyds Banking Group. In this position, he played a pivotal role in driving the growth of Consumer Finance products within the large corporate market in London and the Southeast of England. Liam's focus was on clients with turnover levels ranging from £100 million to £1 billion, where he led strategic initiatives and contributed to product expansion.
Rory Winter
Relationship Manager
Rory is a Relationship Manager in Leumi UK's Hotel Finance team. Graduating with a master's in finance from the University of Essex, he distinguished himself with top grades and as a basketball scholar, playing for the Essex Rebels in the NBL Division 1 and BUCS Premier leagues. His bachelor's degree in financial economics saw him excel both academically and in basketball, playing for the BUCS first team and the Essex Rebels.
At Leumi UK, Rory applies the discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking honed on the basketball court to his financial career.
Soraya Shamji
Relationship Director
Soraya brings her expertise to the Hotel Finance team with a focus on portfolio development and expansion.
Before her tenure at Leumi, Soraya garnered valuable experience in acquisitions and asset management working at Hudson Advisors, where she played a pivotal role in managing the Jurys and Atlas portfolios from acquisition to sale. She then joined Aprirose, where she worked on Delta Hotels portfolio, further honing her skills.
Originally from Canada, Soraya relocated to Europe in 2005 to pursue her MBA at ESADE in Barcelona. In 2008, she moved to the United Kingdom, joining Colliers for 5 years as a hotel consultant, working on valuations, operator searches and feasibility studies, solidifying her position as a trusted professional in the industry.
Steve Crosswell
Senior Relationship Director
Steve brings more than 20 years’ experience of lending within the hospitality sector to Leumi UK’s Hotel Finance team. He joined the desk to enhance the team’s focus on boutique, city-centre hotels in prime European destinations.
Prior to Leumi UK, Steve worked at Cynergy Bank as a Relationship Director. He also previously worked at organisations including Metro Bank and NatWest/RBS.
Steve formerly sat on the committee of the Leisure Property Forum, an events and networking group for those working in the leisure and hospitality property sector.
Tony Burnell
Portfolio Director
After an accomplished 41-year tenure at Lloyds Banking Group (LBG), Tony brings extensive experience from his role as a Relationship Director for Hotels at Lloyds Bank. At Leumi UK, Tony plays a pivotal role in overviewing and managing the hotel portfolio across the Desk’s full lending spectrum of acquisitions, refurbishments, and development projects.
