GCI Funds Pty Ltd
GCI Funds
Formerly | Global Credit Investments |
|---|---|
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Financial Services Alternative asset management |
| Founded 📆 | February 24, 2015 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder 👔 | |
Area served 🗺️ | |
Key people | Ben Skilbeck (CEO) Steven Sher (Co-Founder) Gavin Solsky (Co-Founder) |
| Products 📟 | Private credit, |
| Services | Investment Management |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | https://gcifunds.com/ |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
GCI Funds (GCI) is an Australian-based specialist private credit fund manager.[1][2] Founded in 2015, the firm provides non-bank lending and debt solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the real estate sector, and mid-market companies in Australia and New Zealand[3][4].
History
GCI was founded in February 2015 by Steven Sher and Gavin Solsky[1]. The firm was established to provide alternative funding to borrowers who could not access traditional bank finance following the implementation of stricter lending standards after the Global Financial Crisis[3][5].
In July 2024, the firm appointed Ben Skilbeck, the former CEO of PM Capital, as its first Chief Executive Officer[6][7]. Under this leadership structure, Skilbeck oversees overarching strategy and institutional partnerships, while the founders focus on investment decision-making[7].
Investment Strategy and Operations
The firm operates within the private credit sector, focusing on asset-backed finance, strategic capital and real estate credit[2][8]. The firm's lending model targets the "mid-market", providing loans where traditional banks may lack flexibility or speed[4][9].
In 2022, GCI formally entered the SME real estate lending market, specifically targeting facilities between $5 million and $50 million.[10][11]. This was followed by the establishment of a dedicated real estate arm and the launch of the GCI Real Estate Credit Fund in 2023 to address gaps in the SME mortgage market[10][12]. In January 2025, GCI launched a $100 million corporate loan series, making its debut in larger-scale corporate private credit offerings[2]
Notable Facilities
GCI has provided various debt facilities to growth-stage companies and other lenders including:
- Lab Group: In 2022, GCI provided a debt facility to Lab Group to fund its growth strategy[13]
- Nectar (New Zealand): GCI serves as a funder for Nectar, a digital lending company in New Zealand.[4]
Controversies and Litigation
In 2023, GCI was a senior lender to the Apricity Finance Group. Following a default under a facility agreement, GCI appointed receivers to Apricity Transasia Finance Pty Ltd in March 2023.[14] While GCI's senior secured position meant its investors were reportedly expected to be repaid in full, the subsequent collapse of Apricity led to significant losses for junior noteholders, a situation covered by The Australian[14]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "About Us - GCI Funds". 2018-12-25. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Thompson, Sarah; Sood, Kanika; Rapaport, Emma (2025-01-27). "Private credit player GCI debuts corporate loan series with $100m fund". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 reporter, Ayesha de KretserSenior (2022-03-06). "Private investors eye slice of lucrative SME market". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Expanding lender Nectar adds another funder". NBR | Business news & analysis | Independent, ad-free reporting. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ Writer, Staff (2021-03-11). "Private debt continues to offer attractive risk-adjusted returns". The Inside Adviser. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ Dew, Laura (2024-07-16). "Former PM Capital CEO joins credit manager". Money Management. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Experienced CEO joins GCI". www.brokernews.com.au. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ "Non-bank business lenders remain positive as business conditions deteriorate". www.bankingday.com. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ Cornell, Andrew (2025-06-18). "Non-bank lenders turn to private credit for flexible funding". Capital Brief. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "GCI looks to fill SME real estate lending gap". Green Street News. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ Cornell, Andrew (2024-05-06). "Private credit investor GCI is looking to lend where the banks won't". Capital Brief. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ "GCI establishes real estate arm". Financial Standard. 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ FinTech, Australian (2023-10-23). "LAB Group Secures New Debt Facility to Fund Growth Strategy". Australian FinTech. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 England, Cameron (18 April 2023). "One of Melbourne's investment elite has found himself tied up in the messy collapse of Apricity". The Australian. Unknown parameter
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