Founded in 1987 by a team of finance specialists with expertise across a broad range of industries, Close Brothers Asset Finance has grown to become one of the UK’s leading asset finance providers.

While the team may have increased in number, the same founding principles remain – we work with businesses that we fully understand and provide them with practical solutions that enable them to succeed.

Close Brothers Asset Finance is proud of our heritage and commitment to lending during all economic cycles. While others exited the market during the recession, starting in 2008, the company doubled its lending to the sector, demonstrating in a very real and measurable way its determination to deliver on its promises to stand by its new and existing customers.

A customer-centric culture

As part of the Close Brothers Group, the company’s deep-rooted understanding of its customers – who operate across a range of key industries, including transport, print, construction, manufacturing and renewable energy – is unrivalled.  Our policy of employing specialists in their respective fields means that we speak the same language as our customers and are able to advise and empathise in equal measure.

The vision, values and delivery of a focused customer service has been the main reason for the success of Close Brothers and our customers. The partnership between Close Brothers Asset Finance and our customers is one of mutual benefit and respect as we strive to help the people and businesses of the UK, Germany and Ireland thrive over the long-term.

We value our customers above everything; it is an intrinsic part of the company’s fabric. The five values of Respect Everyone, Great Customer Outcomes, Expertise, Teamwork and Doing the Right Thing underpin the business, as well as providing the foundation on which its customer service is based. We aim to develop personal, deep-meaning, long-term relationships with SMEs.

About Close Brothers

Close Brothers is proud to employ a workforce that is among the most engaged of any industry.

They originate new business with a direct sales force of 200, together with an extensive panel of brokers. The business has a large supporting operational team, including underwriters, credit specialists, policy experts, and marketers.

Our colleagues go out of their way to meet, know and understand our clients, as well as work with and alongside them.

Our products

At Close Brothers Asset Finance, we offer a full range of asset-based finance solutions, spanning all major asset classes, and can broadly be divided into finance and operating leases, hire purchases, sale and leaseback structures, as well as and vendor finance solutions.

Supporting the sectors

We take great pride in the programmes we have in place to support the sectors we specialise in, including:

• The fourth phase of Close Brothers’ pioneering SME Apprentice Programme launched recently, bringing to 80 the number of apprentices now supported by Close Brothers Asset Finance. This scheme assists SMEs with securing the skills they need for future growth and was established to help SMEs recruit and train a new generation of advanced engineering workers. Under the scheme, Close Brothers pays for apprentices to learn their skills at the AMRC Training Centre and funds half of the new recruits’ wages during the first year and a quarter in the second
• The RHA (Road Haulage Association) and Close Brothers Asset Finance joined forces to launch a programme to help SMEs secure the skills they need for future growth by recruiting young drivers into the transport sector. Through the ‘RHA/Close Brothers SME Apprentice Scheme – 20/20’, Close Brothers will contribute to the cost of apprentices for 20 firms with less than 20 vehicles, who might otherwise be unable to afford to take on a new apprentice Large Goods Vehicle driver.
• In 2018 the second phase of the industry-leading Training Academy was launched, with the aim of increasing diversity in the industry. The first Sales Academy has been a resounding success for the company with both internal and external candidates being appointed to sales roles following its conclusion and contributing significantly to the loan book
• The quarterly Business Barometer continues to provide industry-leading thought leadership and research-based findings to the key national and sector titles across multiple sectors.