Westbrooke - Scaling Ambition Through Performance DNA Talent

Westbrooke is a business on the move. Under the leadership of UK MD Richard Asherson, the firm has shown a clear appetite to scale its UK footprint in alternative investments. Landmark milestones include surpassing £400 million in UK real estate lending, completing a £150m raise for the second WDO corporate lending fund, and deploying over £50m into private equity in the UK this year. “Growth at Westbrooke is not an accident. It is the product of a disciplined strategy, deep market relationships and exceptional people who know how to deliver when it matters most.”

In real estate finance, James Lightbody has been instrumental in driving this momentum, spearheading complex transactions and building a high-calibre team to support the firm’s growing portfolio. Together, Asherson and Lightbody have cultivated a culture that values precision, relationships and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

James Lightbody explains, “We look for people who are not just talented and curious, but they need to be able to work hard and prove themselves under pressure. If you can perform on the field, the track or the water with everything on the line, then the odds are you can perform in the high-pressure situations of a deal team. This has proven the case for our hires."

Why a Sporting DNA Fits Westbrooke

A driver of Westbrooke’s success has been its ability to attract and hire smart, ambitious individuals with a sporting DNA. These are people who combine high-level academics and commercial skills with the mindset and resilience forged in elite competition.

This approach makes perfect sense for Westbrooke. In investment markets, the ability to perform under pressure, adapt strategies in real time and sustain peak performance over the long-term mirrors the demands of top-tier sport. Sporting DNA talent brings resilience to handle high-stakes in fast-changing deal environments, discipline to execute with accuracy and consistency, and a competitive edge to win opportunities in crowded markets.

Iona Miller is a former international triathlete with a First-Class Economics degree from Loughborough. She brings analytical rigour, strong work ethic, composure under pressure and a proven ability to lead in high-performance settings. Now part of the real estate team, she applies her precision and endurance to managing complex transactions.

Rhidian Lerwell is an Oxford University PPE graduate and an accomplished former professional rugby player. A natural deep thinker, his competitive edge and leadership translate into sharp deal execution and strategic thinking within Westbrooke’s real estate finance team. Rhidian says, “In sport you learn that preparation and mindset decide the outcome long before you start the game. That is exactly how I approach deals at Westbrooke.”

Theo Williams is an eight-time national sailing champion and Olympic campaigner, who studied Maths at Exeter University. He blends advanced numerical analysis with commercial acumen in their Hybrid Capital team. While new to the business, his ability to adapt strategies mid-race shows early signs of mirroring his work in identifying and structuring investment opportunities.

Proven Success in Action

These strategic hires are no accident. Westbrooke has partnered with add-victor, a specialist in performance-driven talent, to identify and integrate individuals who combine elite sporting backgrounds with exceptional academic and commercial capability. A long-standing advocate of high-performance recruitment in real estate finance, add-victor supports firms like Westbrooke across junior talent identification to senior search, in securing individuals who thrive under pressure, lead by example, and consistently deliver in high-stakes, competitive environments.

Recent additions to Westbrooke’s teams show exactly how this strategy works.

Positioned for Continued Growth

Westbrooke’s appetite to grow is not just a vision. It is a well-executed plan that pairs strategic capital deployment with an exceptional talent model. With Asherson setting the strategic direction, Lightbody leading high-impact delivery, and this Performance DNA talent driving results on the ground, the firm is well positioned to accelerate its trajectory in the years ahead.

In a sector where many firms have capital, but few have culture, Westbrooke’s blend of ambition, discipline and people sets it apart. The message is clear: growth is not just an aspiration here, it is a mindset, lived daily by leaders and talent alike.