Optimum Credit expands in move to new premises

Cardiff-based second charge mortgage provider, Optimum Credit, has relocated to new premises to support its company growth and job creation following acquisition in 2018 by Australian-owned finance company, Pepper Money.

Optimum Credit currently has a 25% share of the second charge lending market in the UK thanks to superior service, bespoke pricing and specialised in-house software. It is the only provider in the UK offering bespoke pricing to ensure it offers its customers the most competitive rates and has advanced funds of more than £850 million since launching in 2014, when it was established by the existing leadership team.

The new offices at 4 Capital Quarter in Cardiff offer 18,500 sq ft with room to grow the current headcount of 130 to around 250. This will give the company scope to achieve its expansion plans, both for the existing Optimum second charge mortgage business and the wider Pepper Money strategy across the UK, which includes the launch of a new business venture into commercial real estate lending. This new venture seeks to make the most of the vibrant financial services sector in Wales and recruit top talent from across the UK.

Sam Marshall, Chief Executive Officer at Optimum Credit, said: “The move to the new offices reflects the impressive growth we have experienced since we launched in 2014 and the ambitious plans we have to continue that under the ownership of Pepper Money. We aim to almost double our current workforce over the next few years, so this is an important move for us in terms of showcasing exactly what we can offer as an employer to attract and retain the best people from across the UK.

“We wanted the new offices to reflect our culture and who we are as a business. We’re not a traditional financial services company and we’re not a call centre. The majority of our roles are technical and highly skilled, and we have a casual office environment with our values and the social side of things being very important to us. We’ve established ourselves as a leading employer within the financial services sector, and we are confident that this growth is set to continue as we build and diversify the skills of our growing team.”

The Cardiff office of Savills was tasked with assisting Optimum Credit with their relocation. Gary Carver, director of the business space team, comments: “Optimum Credit provided us with a detailed brief for their new offices, which offer inspiring office space and enough room to enable their continued expansion. After an extensive search it was clear that 4 Capital Quarter gave them what they needed.”