Tim Parkes, co-founder of RAW Capital Partners, has stepped down as CEO and managing director, with Ben Nicholls taking over the role.
Parkes will remain closely involved with the Guernsey-based specialist lender, providing strategic support as Senior Advisor and Chairman of the RAW Mortgage Fund.
Parkes co-founded RAW Capital Partners in 2015 alongside Richard Avery Wright, after nearly two decades at Barclays and subsequent roles in strategy, business development and management consulting.
Parkes and Avery Wright felt that parts of the UK mortgage market were underserved by mainstream lenders.
RAW initially lent exclusively to foreign nationals, UK expatriates and Channel Island credit companies investing in the buy-to-let market through the RAW Mortgage Fund.
Nicholls has been at RAW for more than four years, initially joining as CFO before becoming interim managing director in February 2024 and managing director in September 2024.
During Parkes’ tenure as CEO, RAW Mortgage Fund surpassed £200m of assets under management, while the company recorded its strongest year for lending in 2025.
It launched a mortgage offer for UK residents in December.
“RAW Capital Partners has been a big part of my life,” says Parks.
“When Richard and I founded the company more than a decade ago, we knew there was room in the market for a lender that could take a more considered and flexible approach to property financing, and deliver a consistent return to investors.
“I’m very proud of what the team has achieved since then, and we are really well placed to grow even further in the months and years to come.
“Stepping down as CEO comes at the right time for me and the company.
“Ben knows the business very well and has already led it through the periods I have been away, so this is an established and familiar dynamic for our team, brokers and investors.
“I have complete confidence in him, the wider team and the direction of the business moving forward.”
Nichols adds: “Tim’s contribution to RAW Capital Partners as co-founder and CEO has been significant.
“He has played a central role in shaping the business, its culture and approach to lending, and we are pleased that we will continue to benefit from his experience as a senior advisor and through the fund’s board.”
