Asset Finance

Fund the vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment your business runs on without tying up working capital. We arrange hire purchase, finance lease and asset refinance sourced from our extensive lender panel and structured around your cash flow.

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See what it funds
Combine harvester working a field at sunset
Corporate Finance/Asset Finance
Funding from £25k to £25m+
Funding solutions tailored to your business and objectives
1 to 7 years
Typical term
Extensive lender panel
Access to high street, challenger, specialist and alternative lenders
Use Cases

What can asset finance be used for?

Asset finance lets you acquire, upgrade or release cash from the physical assets your business depends on, paying over their working life rather than upfront.

Freight lorry on the motorway at dusk
Commercial vehicles and fleet

Vans, trucks, trailers and specialist vehicles for transport, logistics and field-based businesses. Spread the cost over the working life of the vehicle and keep cash in the business.

Excavator working on a construction site
Plant and machinery

Excavators, cranes, production lines, CNC machines and processing equipment for construction, manufacturing, agriculture and food and beverage businesses.

Machine operator programming a modern CNC lathe
Technology and equipment

IT hardware, software, medical and catering equipment, and fit-outs for hospitality and leisure venues, on terms matched to how quickly the asset ages.

Forklift working the aisles of a distribution warehouse
Asset refinance

Release cash tied up in equipment you already own outright, or refinance existing agreements to improve terms and free up working capital.

Our Process

How asset finance comes together

Three steps, one adviser throughout. We tell you what to expect at each stage and what we need from you.

1
30 minutes · No obligation

Discovery call

We talk through the asset you want to fund or refinance, the price, the supplier and how the repayments need to fit your cash flow. You leave with a view of the likely structure and indicative pricing.

You bring: the asset details or a supplier quote, and a rough idea of deposit and term.
2
Typically days, not weeks

Lender terms provided

We package the proposal and approach the lenders most active in your sector and asset class, then bring back terms to compare on rate, deposit, term and end-of-agreement options.

You bring: recent accounts and management information. For refinance, proof of ownership and any existing agreements.
3
Days, once documents are signed

Funds issued

Once you choose the terms, we handle the documentation, any asset inspection and the supplier payment, and stay alongside you until the asset is delivered and the agreement is live.

You bring: signed documents and the supplier invoice. We chase the rest.
Make an enquiry
Will Roberts, Managing Director Corporate Finance at Ramsay & White
Eligibility

What lenders look at

Asset finance is secured on the asset itself, so lenders weigh the equipment as much as the business behind it. Four things shape the terms you are offered.

The asset itself

Age, condition, resale value and how easily it could be sold on. Hard assets such as plant, vehicles and machinery attract the best terms; soft assets such as IT and fit-outs need a stronger business case.

Your trading history

Usually two years of filed accounts plus recent management information. Newer businesses can still qualify, typically with a larger deposit or a director's guarantee.

Affordability

Whether the repayments sit comfortably within your cash flow, and how the asset will earn its keep, for example a new machine adding capacity or a vehicle replacing hire costs.

Deposit and existing commitments

How much you are putting in, what other finance is already in place and how it is performing. For refinance, what you own outright and its current value.

Common structures

Hire purchase, finance lease or refinance?

Three structures cover most asset finance. The right one depends on whether you want to own the asset at the end, how much cash you want to put in up front and how the payments need to sit against your tax position.

Hire purchase
Own it at the end
Finance lease
Use it, then return or extend
Asset refinance
Release cash from assets you own
Ownership at the end
Yes, once the final payment and option fee are made
No. Return the asset, extend the lease or sell it on the lender's behalf
You keep ownership. The lender takes security over the asset
Deposit
Typically the VAT plus a deposit of around 10%
Usually low, often one to three rentals in advance, with VAT spread across the rentals
None. The lender advances a percentage of the asset's current value
Monthly cost
Higher, because you are buying the asset outright over the term
Lower, because payments cover use rather than the full value
Depends on the advance and the term you choose
Typical term
1 to 7 years
1 to 5 years
1 to 5 years
Balance sheet and tax*
The asset is yours from day one, so capital allowances may be available
Rentals are usually treated as a business expense
The asset stays on your books. Interest is usually deductible
Best for
Long-life assets you want to keep: plant, machinery, HGVs
Assets you replace regularly: vehicles, IT, catering equipment
Businesses with unencumbered equipment that need working capital

*Tax and accounting treatment depends on your circumstances. Confirm the position with your accountant before choosing a structure.

Not sure if Asset Finance is the right fit? See also:
Growth finance
Working capital finance
All corporate finance services
Will Roberts, Managing Director Corporate Finance at Ramsay & White

Get asset finance terms

Tell us about the asset you want to fund or refinance and one of our corporate finance advisers will call you back, usually the same working day.

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Client Testimonials

Hear what business owners and property investors say about working with Ramsay & White.

Worked for Joel and the whole team for over 4 years now. Residential, commercial and bridging finance. Always super professional, quick, efficient, helpful and on the end of a call anytime. Highly recommended and we see them as an extension of our own team.

Steven Pardoe

Outstanding, efficient and effective service by Will and Joel. Regular updates, clear and precise. Highly recommended for a smooth, friendly professional service for your lending requirements and financing advice.

Steve Dury

Have worked with Paul and Rachel on several transactions. They have always been extremely knowledgeable, highly responsive and provided excellent service from start to finish.

Matt Barrow

Having done a number of deals with R&W I would highly recommend them! I have been very impressed with their professionalism and knowledge. They are efficient and very helpful, they have helped me grow my business very quickly over the last few months, doing multiple deals at the same time. I Can’t wait to carry on our journey together.

Harvinder Sull

We have been using Ramsay & White as our brokers for a number of years now. They have covered all of our lending requirements from buy-to-let, commercial to bridging. The knowledge and professionalism are second to none. I would highly recommend Ramsay & White.

Jeannette Linfoot

Thanks to Will and Olly. Very professional, responsive and efficient. I would highly recommend Ramsay & White!

Jonathan Lewis

I have used Ramsay & White for several years, they're so helpful and knowledgeable and have always given me the best advice which I would say is invaluable. When using their services I am always being updated at every point throughout the process. I want to say a massive thank you to Joel White & Will Roberts. I've had nothing but an incredible experience from you and I look forward to carrying on working with you in the future.

Charlie Slocombe-Smith

A great service provided by Ramsay and White. Would highly recommend.

Ben Grover

I outgrew my previous IFA and was in need of a company to take my business to the next level. From the outset these guys were professional and clearly experienced working with property investors. They managed to assist with my refinance and I will continue to use Ramsay & White to assist with growing my portfolio through my LTD company.

Ashley Matthews

Asset Finance FAQs

Answers to the questions business owners ask us most about asset finance.

What is asset finance?

Asset finance lets you acquire or refinance equipment, vehicles and machinery over a fixed term, with the asset itself acting as security. You pay in instalments rather than upfront, which preserves cash and leaves other credit lines free for day-to-day trading.

What is the difference between hire purchase and a finance lease?

With hire purchase you pay in instalments and own the asset at the end of the term. With a finance lease the lender retains ownership and you use the asset for an agreed term, usually at a lower monthly cost. Hire purchase suits assets you want to keep; leasing suits kit that dates quickly.

How much can I borrow and over what term?

We arrange asset finance from £25k to £25m+, over one to seven years depending on the asset's useful life. Deposits range from 0% to 20% depending on the lender, the asset and your trading record.

Can I finance used equipment?

Yes. Most lenders will fund used plant, machinery and vehicles provided the asset holds its value and has a reasonable remaining life. Terms may be shorter than for new equipment.

Can I release cash from assets I already own?

Yes. Asset refinance and sale-and-leaseback let you unlock capital tied up in unencumbered assets, repaid over a fixed term. It is a common way to fund growth or working capital without taking on unsecured debt.

How quickly can asset finance be arranged?

For straightforward cases, a decision can come back within days once we have your accounts, bank statements and the supplier quote. More complex or higher-value assets take longer, and we will give you a realistic timeline on the discovery call.

Which sectors do you arrange asset finance for?

Agriculture, construction, manufacturing and engineering, transport and logistics, commercial vehicles, food and beverage, leisure and hospitality, and utilities and waste, among others. If your business relies on physical assets, we can usually help.

Have More Questions?
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Why Ramsay & White?

At Ramsay & White, it’s not just about transactions; it’s about forging lasting relationships and being a steadfast companion in your journey towards financial prosperity.

About Ramsay & WhiteMeet the Team
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Ramsay & White Corporate Finance is a trading name of Ramsay & White Corporate Finance Ltd, which is an Appointed Representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 460421. Ramsay & White Corporate Finance is a credit broker and not a lender. We work with a panel of lenders to find you a potentially suitable arrangement for consideration. ICO registration ZC246341, which you can check via www.ico.org.uk. Registered address: 7 Soundwell Road, Staple Hill, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS16 4QG. Registered in England & Wales. Registration number: 17450526.

We will receive commission from lenders. Different lenders pay different amounts depending on different commission models. For transparency we work with the following commission models: fixed fee, fixed rate of commission, percentage of the amount you borrow and rate for risk (this is based on the risk profile of the application). Further details of the commission model, calculation and amount will be disclosed to you throughout your customer journey.