United Trust Bank Structured Property Finance Completes £25m Structured Refinance and Investment Facility for Rivers Birtwell
11 November 2025
United Trust Bank (UTB) Structured Property Finance has completed a £25m structured refinance and investment facility on a large HMO and student let portfolio for long-term customer Rivers Birtwell Limited.
Rivers Birtwell is a successful property investment company providing exceptional student and HMO accommodation across the UK. It was founded by George Birtwell and Oliver Dorman when they were both living in the university town of Brighton. Each with over 15 years investment and development experience, they saw how poor the housing was for students and sharers in their city and in 2013 founded Rivers Birtwell with the aim of taking student and young professional accommodation to a much better place. Their mission is to design, build and manage market leading accommodation for students and young professionals and they strive to deliver an exceptional living experience for their customers.
Deal summary:
- Loan amount: £25m
- Security Value: £33m
- Loan type: Structured Refinance and Investment Facility
- Term: 36 months
UTB’s Steve Dias, Senior Relationship Manager – Structured Property Finance, was approached by Tom Robinson, Director of Bircroft Private who has facilitated Rivers Birtwell’s relationship with UTB since 2018. On this occasion Tom assisted Rivers Birtwell in refinancing and simplifying their existing debt structure as well as releasing some equity. Undrawn limits would also be set aside to fund future acquisitions and refurbishments.
The security was a complex mix of over 30 let properties of between 5 and 9 bedrooms with a value of around £33m. Working closely with Tom Robinson through valuations and complex due diligence, UTB agreed the £25m facility which will enable Rivers Birtwell to deliver its strategic objectives.
Oliver Dorman, Group CEO of Rivers Birtwell, commented:
“UTB have been pivotal in the growth of our business over the past 10 years. Their ability to tailor a facility that meets our specific needs and supports the continued growth of our portfolio has been unique. This has come from a willingness to truly understand both the opportunities but also the challenges our business presents. We look forward to continuing this relationship in the future.”
Tom Robinson, Director of Bircroft Private, commented:
“To facilitate the continued growth of the Rivers Birtwell business, the importance of a funding partner that understands the needs and aspirations of the borrower is key. Having successfully grown together over the last decade from the very 1st loan of only £250k to now locking in a £25m structured facility is a big moment, but is by no means the end of the story…”
Alex Tyrwhitt, Director – Structured Property Solutions, United Trust Bank commented:
“At UTB we always aim to build strong, long-term relationships with our customers and introducers and I’m proud to say that UTB’s Structured Property Finance team has supported various Rivers Birtwell projects and funding requirements for the best part of a decade. I am delighted to have completed this new £25m facility which will help the business continue to thrive. It was a pleasure to work with Tom, George, Oliver and the Rivers Birtwell team and I look forward to many more successful deals in the future.”
