Shawbrook has announced its intention to list on the London Stock Exchange, as London IPO activity shows signs of momentum following the listing of Beauty Tech Group last week and the announcement by Princes Group of its IPO plans.
We’re going to need a more sustained flow of IPOs to call the recent spate of activity anything more than a blip. That said, the uptick in companies signalling their intention to list or completing their IPO is encouraging.
Shawbrook’s IPO plans are particularly interesting because the company is one of the many highly successful UK Fintechs that have opted to stay private for longer. Should other Fintechs follow in Shawbrook’s footsteps, the London IPO market could really fire up.
Significant investment in technology capabilities since 2017 has transformed Shawbrook into a digitally enabled bank that serves individuals, property investors and businesses.
Shawbrook has grown its loan book from £1.4 billion to £17.0 billion, while achieving a compound annual growth rate of 30% in underlying profit before tax.
In an announcement made on Monday, Shawbrook outlined its “30 by 30 Target,” aiming to almost double the loan book to approximately £30 billion by December 2030.
Shawbrook operates through two main franchises. The Commercial franchise, representing 61% of the total loan book at £10.5bn, provides structured credit facilities for businesses alongside real estate financing for professional landlords and property investors. The Retail franchise accounts for the remaining 39% at £6.6bn.
The company has been remarkably inquisitive, completing 24 acquisitions, including the recent acquisition of ThinCats Group Limited, a leading UK FinTech specialist lender to SMEs, in September 2025.
“The strength of our platform has enabled us to deliver a long track record of sustainable, profitable growth through a wide variety of macro conditions,” explained Marcelino Castrillo, Chief Executive Officer.
“We have transformed the size of our loan book as we’ve won share, entered new markets and expanded our capabilities through strategic acquisitions; we have built a trusted and attractive savings proposition that provides us with a stable and scalable funding base; and the significant investment in our digital platform provides excellent risk management capabilities and strong operating leverage.
“Looking ahead, we are as excited as we have ever been. We have achieved real scale, and our current markets are large and growing, supported by attractive tailwinds. We also see a significant opportunity to bring Shawbrook’s offering to new types of customers. The entrepreneurial spirit that has driven our growth remains at the heart of how we operate and we have ambitious plans for the future. An IPO would mark an important milestone in our journey.”