Arini has completed the final close of its inaugural direct lending fund, with Arini Direct Lending Fund I and related vehicles targeting more than $4 billion of deployment, including anticipated leverage.
The London-based alternative asset manager oversees $22 billion in assets under management as of August 31, 2026. Arini said the scale of its debut strategy makes it one of the largest inaugural European direct lending funds raised to date.
Arini has already deployed nearly $2 billion through the strategy while fundraising was underway. The initial portfolio is focused primarily on senior secured loans to companies with recurring and underwritable cash flows operating in sectors that Arini believes face relatively limited disruption risk.
The portfolio includes financing for founder-led, family-owned, and private equity-backed businesses across multiple industries and European markets. Arini is targeting opportunities in the European middle market, where it sees growing demand for flexible private credit as banks remain important providers of corporate financing but face constraints on the types of loans they can offer.
The firm’s direct lending origination strategy is supported by internal sector-focused coverage of more than 1,000 companies in Europe and other global markets. Arini also maintains a strategic sourcing alliance with Lazard and relationships with banks seeking to expand client activity while managing capital requirements.
Arini’s broader platform spans public, structured, and private credit. The company said its direct lending team draws on the investment, research, and operational resources of more than 180 professionals globally.
Arini Direct Lending Fund I attracted commitments from institutional investors across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Its investor base includes pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and other financial institutions.
Founded in 2021, Arini Capital Management focuses primarily on European credit markets. Its strategies include long/short credit, structured credit, opportunistic credit, direct lending, and asset-based finance. The firm operates from London, New York, Abu Dhabi, Warsaw, and Jersey.
KEY QUOTES:
“De-banking in Europe is creating a major supply/demand imbalance in favour of middle market lenders. We’ve built a resilient portfolio with conservative leverage metrics and strong loan documentation, supported by deal flow from a variety of sourcing channels.”
Hamza Lemssouguer, Founder And CIO At Arini
“Arini operates a converged investment platform across public, structured and private credit, grounded in fundamental sector-focused research. Arini’s private credit team has been capitalizing on the deeply underpenetrated lending opportunity in the European middle market with the investment and infrastructure support of the firm’s 180+ professionals globally.”
Mathew Cestar, President At Arini
