Kennet Equipment Leasing

What Kennet Equipment Leasing does

Kennet Equipment Leasing is a UK-based equipment leasing and asset finance specialist operating since 1990, headquartered in Coleshill and trading as part of the STAR Asset Finance Group alongside Credo Capital Finance, First Capital Finance, and Ignition Credit PLC. The company operates as an FCA-authorised (FRN: 676024) credit broker and lender, distributing finance to UK small and medium enterprises across more than thirteen sector verticals including aviation, agriculture, construction, healthcare, marine, hospitality, and technology. Its core product set spans customer equipment leasing (from £1,000 upwards), supplier point-of-sale finance for equipment manufacturers and resellers, vehicle finance (cars, vans, trucks), business loans and cash advances, tax liability finance, commercial loans, and renewable-energy asset finance.

The business runs on a broker intermediation model rather than proprietary technology. Kennet monetises through commission arrangements with a panel of 35+ lenders — including fixed-fee, fixed-percentage, percentage-of-amount-borrowed, and risk-based rate structures — supplemented by lending from its own balance-sheet funds. Go-to-market is sales-led, combining direct phone and email engagement with SMEs, an online quote-request mechanism, and a supplier-finance channel that places Kennet at the point of sale with capital-equipment vendors. Supporting infrastructure includes an online payment portal, a Trustpilot-driven referral motion, and marketing and training services for supplier partners. There is no disclosed AI/ML, API, or proprietary technology stack; the stated differentiators are speed of decision, lender-panel breadth, regulatory authorisation, and 35 years of brand and repeat-customer relationships under the Kennet name.

Name

Kennet Equipment Leasing

Legal name

Kennet Equipment Leasing Limited

Website

https://kennet-leasing.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kennet Equipment Leasing is a UK FCA-authorised equipment leasing and asset finance broker, part of the STAR Asset Finance Group, serving UK SMEs across 13+ sectors with equipment, vehicle, loan, and tax-liability finance via a panel of 35+ lenders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equipment Leasing & Asset Finance

NAICS

Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (5324), Construction, Transportation, Mining, and Forestry Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing (53241)

SIC

Finance Lessors (6172), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Equipment & Asset Finance Brokerage (FSAEAEAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

SME Equipment & Asset Finance (Leasing, Fleet, Capex) (FSABABAH)

Keywords

• Equipment leasing
• Asset finance
• Business loans
• Vehicle finance
• Credit broking

Headquarters

HQ city

Coleshill

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Commission from Lenders: Kennet Equipment Leasing operates as an authorised credit broker and lender, earning commission from a panel of lenders. The company discloses that commission models include fixed fee, fixed rate of commission, percentage of the amount borrowed, and rate for risk based on the business risk profile.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kennet Equipment Leasing provides equipment leasing, asset finance, vehicle finance, business loans, tax liability finance, and renewable energy asset finance to UK SMEs, brokering finance from a panel of over 35 lenders and using its own funds. For equipment suppliers, the company offers a supplier finance channel that enables point-of-sale financing for end customers. Financing is available for equipment valued from £1,000 upwards.

Product overview

Kennet Equipment Leasing is a UK-based equipment leasing and asset finance specialist operating since 1990. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of financial products organized around core leasing services: Customer Leasing and Supplier Finance for equipment acquisition, Vehicle Finance for transportation assets, and various lending solutions including Loans and Cash Advance, Tax Liability Finance, Commercial Loans, and Eco Finance for renewable energy. The company distinguishes itself through access to over 35 lender relationships and proprietary funds, enabling flexible financing for equipment valued from £1,000 upwards. Supporting services include Marketing Support and Training Forum for supplier partners, plus a Payment Portal for customer transactions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Customer Leasing Equipment leasing service allowing UK businesses to finance new business equipment valued from £1,000 upwards through flexible payment arrangements. Targeted at SMEs needing to acquire equipment without upfront capital outlay.
• Supplier Finance Finance solutions for manufacturers, sellers, or resellers of capital equipment (new or used), enabling them to offer customers the financing they need to purchase equipment at the point of sale.
• Vehicle Finance Finance packages for UK businesses to purchase cars, vans, or trucks, finding suitable financing options for the vehicle they need, including haulage and HGV finance.
• Loans and Cash Advance Loan facilities paid directly into businesses for flexible use including cashflow support, building work, stock purchases, or wages.
• Tax Liability Finance Finance solutions enabling businesses to spread Director's tax, VAT, or corporation tax payments over time to reduce the impact of lump sum tax payments.
• Eco Finance (Renewable Energy Asset Finance) Asset finance designed to support companies in becoming energy independent through renewable energy investments.
• Commercial Loans Unsecured commercial loan products offering flexibility and efficient approvals for business financing needs.

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Equipment Manufacturers and ResellerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment manufacturers, sellers, and resellers partner with Kennet to provide financing options to their customers at point of sale. Kennet provides the finance while the supplier sells the equipment.
• STAR Asset Finance GroupcoreOthersKennet Equipment Leasing is a trading style of STAR Asset Finance Group, which also includes Credo Capital Finance Limited, First Capital Finance Limited, and Ignition Credit PLC. The group operates from shared operational hubs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Azule Finance: UK asset finance broker offering equipment and vehicle finance solutions to SMEs via a panel of funders, with a similar speed-of-decision and broker-led value proposition. Direct overlap with Kennet's customer leasing and supplier finance channels.
• Syscap: UK equipment finance provider offering asset finance and leasing solutions to SMEs and corporates, similar to Kennet's customer leasing and supplier finance proposition. Comparable product set, ticket sizes and target segments.
• Haydock Finance: UK-based asset finance broker providing equipment leasing and asset finance to SMEs through a panel of lenders, closely mirroring Kennet's broker model and customer base. Operates in overlapping sectors including commercial vehicles and business equipment.
• Shire Leasing: UK-based equipment finance broker and lessor specialising in asset finance for SMEs across a similar sector mix to Kennet, including business equipment and vehicles. Directly comparable business model, customer profile, and FCA-regulated brokerage status.

Emerging players

• Funding Circle UK: UK digital SME lending platform offering business loans and increasingly asset-backed finance products to SMEs. Targets the same customer profile as Kennet but via a direct digital channel, representing both a competitor and a potential funding panel partner.
• Allica Bank: UK challenger bank targeting established SMEs with asset finance, lending and banking products. Overlaps with Kennet's SME customer segment and equipment finance use case, but operates as a principal lender rather than a multi-lender broker.
• Iwoca: UK fintech lender providing short-term working capital and equipment loans to SMEs via an online application. Competes for SME equipment and growth finance demand alongside Kennet, primarily on speed and digital UX rather than broker relationships.

Broad incumbents

• Close Brothers Asset Finance: Established UK bank-owned asset finance division offering equipment and vehicle leasing to SMEs and mid-market. A larger incumbent with broader funding capacity and product range, competing with Kennet for SME equipment finance customers but at higher ticket sizes and via direct (non-broker) origination.

Peers

• Hitachi Capital UK (now Mizrahi Tefahot / Novuna Vehicle Solutions):

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kennetleasing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2252090

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kennet Equipment Leasing