Shawbrook to acquire JBR

Shawbrook Group plc has signed an agreement to acquire JBR Auto Holdings Limited (JBR) and its subsidiary companies, including JBR Capital Limited (JBR Capital), subject to regulatory approval.

The acquisition, with completion expected to take place in Q3 2024, broadens Shawbrook’s offering within the regulated motor finance sector and reinforces its commitment to diversify its business offering and provide finance to customers in other defined markets.

“JBR’s extensive knowledge of this specialist segment within the wider motor finance market is exceptional,” commented Marcelino Castrillo, Chief Executive Officer at Shawbrook.

“Aligning the business to Shawbrook’s ‘best of both’ approach, combining technology with deep human expertise, this acquisition will help us to extend the JBR proposition to more customers who value a premium experience, flexibility, and certainty when securing finance for their high-end vehicles.”

Founded in 2015, JBR Capital is the UK’s only independent finance lender dedicated solely to high-end vehicle finance and has rapidly established a reputation within the automotive finance sector, forming close relationships with dealers, brokers, and customers – surpassing £1bn of lending by 2022.

Darren Selig, Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at JBR, said:“We are excited for JBR to be joining Shawbrook where we can leverage its established platform and resources to further enhance our customer proposition and serve more customers in our segment of the market.

“It allows us to combine JBR’s specialist expertise with Shawbrook’s broader capabilities, creating a truly unique offering for our clients in the high-end motor finance market.”

Nayan V. Kisnadwala, Chief Executive Officer, continued: “This acquisition represents many years of hard work, dedication, and resilience from the JBR Capital team. 

“I want to thank all our colleagues, customers and Introducers for their loyalty and continued support. I would like to particularly express my gratitude to Darren Selig and the wider Executive Leadership Team for their support in this transformation journey.

“I would also like to thank our departing shareholders, Cabot Square Capital, who saw the potential in the business and who were instrumental in our journey from a broker to lender.”

Tarun Sharma, Partner at Cabot Square, added: “It has been a privilege to partner with Nayan and the wider JBR team. We are delighted with the progress JBR has made under our ownership and are confident JBR will continue to thrive as part of Shawbrook.”