Firm emphasizes speed and deal structure understanding
A new bridging lender called Kozo has entered the market, established by finance industry professionals Ky Benjamin, Chris Britto, and Joe Eden. The firm concentrates on transactions ranging from £250,000 to £2m, aiming to provide swift and reliable funding for property developers and investors.
The company anticipates originating between £25m and £35m in loans during its initial year. Joe Eden stated that the three founders united at a time when their combined experience aligned with what they identified as a genuine market opportunity.
Eden noted the firm’s positioning amid numerous competitors, stating, “There is still clear demand for a lender that focuses on service, speed, and a deep understanding of deal structure rather than volume.”
The founders bring substantial experience in specialist finance, having held senior positions at lenders and property development companies. Joe Eden highlighted their practical expertise, stating, “We bring real, hands-on property and development experience, having developed over £40m-worth of stock across more than 80 new-build units, alongside owning and managing property portfolios ourselves. We understand the full lifecycle of a deal, both pre- and post-completion.”
Eden further emphasised their approach, noting, “We are property professionals first, with strong finance fundamentals, rather than bankers trying to learn property.” Chris Britto added that Kozo prioritises “certainty,” by “understanding deals properly from day one and supporting brokers and borrowers throughout the full lifecycle of the loan.”
Benjamin underlined the founders’ long-term vision, stating they intend to focus “on quality, relationships and delivery rather than chasing volume.” Initially, Kozo launched as a bridging lender, with plans to expand into development finance over time.
Regarding funding, the founders said, “Kozo is backed by two strong institutional funding lines. We are active with multiple private and professional investors, some existing and for future deployment. This gives us flexibility and resilience in how we fund and grow the business.”
Eden and Britto also manage roles at Bridgemore Capital. They explained that while they remain partly hands-on, the team at Bridgemore is expanding to allow more attention to Kozo.
This article is part of our Monthly Spotlight series, which in January focuses on bridging finance. Full coverage can be found here.
