Close Brothers Premium Finance

What Close Brothers Premium Finance does

Close Brothers Premium Finance (CBPF) is a UK-based provider of premium finance services for the insurance industry, founded in 1977 and operating today as a trading style of Close Brothers Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Close Brothers Group plc. The company enables insurance customers, both individuals and businesses, to spread the cost of insurance premiums over regular monthly payments through credit agreements, generating revenue from interest charges and fees on these arrangements. CBPF operates exclusively through an intermediated broker distribution model, partnering with over 1,500 insurance brokers across the UK and Ireland, including long-standing exclusive relationships with three major broker networks: Cobra Network (PIB Group, 22-year partnership extended in 2025), Hedron (Brown & Brown, five-year deal from January 2024), and Bravo Networks (Ardonagh). The firm serves approximately 2.4 million end customers, with self-reported reach extending to one in seven UK families and one in twenty UK businesses.

The company's core technology stack centres on a premium finance platform that includes proprietary broker-facing tools, most notably Focus 360, a unique data dashboard providing performance benchmarking insights, and Foresight, a behavioural prediction tool launched in May 2022 that scores new car and van customers at point of quote to identify cancellation risk. Foresight is now distributed via Percayso Inform's integration layer across six major broker software houses (Acturis, Applied Systems, Genasys, Ignite, Open GI, SSP). Additional platform features include a Client Portal for end-customer self-service, Pay by Link digital catch-up payment functionality (adopted by approximately 30% of customers), and Salesforce/Pardot for broker relationship management. The technology infrastructure has been modernised through cloud migration and Terraform-based deployment automation. The firm is regulated by the FCA and PRA in the UK (firm reference 124750) and by the Central Bank of Ireland via its Irish subsidiary Close Brothers Premium DAC, headquartered in Dublin.

CBPF's go-to-market is broker-led, with dedicated sales managers, network relationship managers, and sales directors operating in a field sales motion. Brokers earn commission for introducing customers to the finance product, creating an aligned incentive structure that underpins the distribution moat. The company supports brokers with CPD-accredited training (73% of trained brokers saw new case increases, averaging 35% growth), thought-leadership content (Broker Barometer research with Insurance Age), and regulatory compliance support (most notably a comprehensive FCA Consumer Duty programme ahead of the July 2023 deadline). Leadership is structured around Managing Director Shaun Hooper (appointed February 2023), Commercial Director Colin Wallace (appointed March 2025), Sales Director Elliott Hayes, and Chief Commercial Officer Andy Grieve. The UK headcount is approximately 400, based at Wimbledon in South West London, with additional operations in Dublin.

Name

Close Brothers Premium Finance

Legal name

Close Brothers Limited

Website

https://closebrotherspf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Close Brothers Premium Finance is a UK premium finance provider serving over 1,500 insurance brokers across the UK and Ireland. Founded in 1977, it enables 2.4 million customers to spread insurance premiums over monthly payments through exclusive broker-network partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Finance Services

NAICS

Consumer Lending (522291), Sales Financing (52222)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail Credit (Closed-End) & Promotional Financing (0%/Deferred Interest) (FSAKAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Billing, Payments & Premium Finance Platforms (FSAGAGAI)

Keywords

• Premium finance services
• Insurance premium financing
• Broker credit facilities
• Monthly payment plans
• Commercial lending

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Premium Finance Interest and Fees: CBPF provides financing solutions that allow insurance customers to spread the cost of their premiums over regular monthly payments. Revenue is generated through interest charges and fees on these credit agreements. Brokers earn commission from CBPF for introducing customers to the finance product.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Close Brothers Premium Finance provides premium finance credit facilities that enable insurance customers to spread the cost of their insurance premiums over regular monthly payments. The company distributes these credit facilities exclusively through a UK and Ireland broker channel of over 1,500 insurance brokers and major broker networks (Cobra, Hedron, Bravo), with brokers earning commission for introductions. Surrounding value-added services include data insight tools (Focus 360, Foresight), CPD-accredited broker training, a Pay by Link digital payment facility, and a client self-service portal.

Product overview

Close Brothers Premium Finance operates as a premium finance provider offering a unified platform for insurance premium financing. The core product is premium finance enabling customers to spread insurance costs over monthly payments. The product portfolio centres on Focus 360 (a unique performance benchmarking dashboard for brokers), Foresight (behavioural prediction data tool for identifying cancellation risk), and CPD-accredited Broker Training. Additional value-add services include Pay by Link digital payments, a Client Portal for self-service account management, and an in-house Vulnerable Customer Support team. The company focuses exclusively on the broker distribution channel, partnering with over 1,500 brokers across UK and Ireland networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Premium Finance Core premium finance credit product that enables insurance customers (individuals and businesses) to spread the cost of insurance premiums over regular monthly payments, with brokers earning commission on introductions.
• Focus 360 Unique broker performance dashboard providing data-led insights into how premium finance performs across a broker's book, including penetration, persistency, affordability and payment trends, with peer benchmarking to identify growth opportunities.
• Foresight Data enrichment tool that dynamically predicts consumer behaviour and scores new car and van customers at point of quote, enabling brokers to identify customers more likely to cancel mid-term.
• Broker Training CPD-accredited training modules delivered face-to-face and virtually for broker partners, focused on relationship management, financial awareness, building resilience and sales best practice for premium finance.
• Pay by Link Digital payment facility enabling end customers to catch up on missed payments, improving customer experience and reducing broker contact requirements; approximately 30% of customers now use this facility.
• Client Portal Online self-service platform allowing customers to change payment dates, update email or postal addresses and manage their premium finance agreements via the Close Brothers Banking website.
• Vulnerable Customer Support Award-winning in-house vulnerable customer team providing specialist support to ensure customers receive appropriate assistance with their premium finance agreements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of brokers who underwent CBPF training saw increases in the number of new premium finance cases
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cobra Network (PIB Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 September 2025New three-year exclusive partnership extending a 22-year relationship. New rates are available exclusively for Cobra Network's 225 broker members. CBPF provides best-in-class service, CPD-accredited training, Focus 360 insights, and support from an award-winning vulnerable customer team.
• Hedron (Brown & Brown)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 16 January 2024Five-year exclusive partnership (renewed from 1 January 2024) providing financing solutions to Hedron's partner brokers covering both personal and commercial lines. CBPF provides exclusive rates, dedicated sales managers, and migration support to Hedron's network members.
• The Green InsurerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 January 2024Exclusive deal to provide finance for car insurance customers of The Green Insurer, an environmentally friendly car insurance broker launched in November 2023. CBPF enables customers to spread the cost of their car insurance premiums through monthly payments.
• Percayso InformcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 May 2023Partnership enabling more brokers to access CBPF's Foresight data enrichment tool through Percayso's integration with major software houses including Acturis, Applied Systems, Genasys, Ignite, Open GI, and SSP. Percayso's data hub aggregates datasets enabling Foresight access via API.
• Bravo Networks (Ardonagh)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrong partnership with Ardonagh-owned Bravo Networks, one of the three primary network partnerships CBPF maintains alongside Hedron and Cobra.
• JenstenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance broker network/agency group listed as a partner with whom CBPF works.
• MOVO PartnershipminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance broker partnership listed as a partner with CBPF.
• SRG Risk GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance broker network/group listed as a partner with CBPF.
• Insurance AgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBPF conducts annual Broker Barometer surveys and joint research with Insurance Age, producing industry reports and Pulse Surveys on premium finance usage and broker practices.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK: BNP Paribas runs a UK premium finance business serving brokers with the same core proposition of spreading insurance premium costs (Mark Leonard joined CBPF from BNP Paribas in 2025, evidencing direct labour-market overlap).
• Premium Credit: UK's other major specialist premium finance provider (owned by Cinven since 2018). Direct head-to-head competitor to CBPF across broker channel, offering consumer credit to spread insurance premium costs.
• Mitsubishi HC Capital UK (formerly Hitachi Capital): UK premium finance provider offering installment financing for insurance premiums through brokers; another direct competitor to CBPF in the intermediated UK channel.

Regional players

• PIB Group: PE-backed UK insurance broker consolidator that owns Cobra Network (CBPF's 22-year exclusive partner with 225 brokers). Customer/distribution relationship rather than product competitor; Cobra's volume flows through CBPF.
• Ardonagh Group: Private equity-backed UK insurance broker group that owns Bravo Networks, one of CBPF's three core exclusive network partners. Channel/distribution relationship.
• Brown & Brown UK: US-headquartered insurance broker that acquired GRP/Marsh Networks and rebranded it as Hedron — CBPF's 5-year exclusive partner for personal and commercial lines finance. Channel customer/distributor relationship rather than product competitor.

Emerging players

• Markerstudy Group: UK insurance broker and MGA that has its own in-house premium finance capability for its panel; represents a partial vertical integration threat to CBPF where a large broker brings financing in-house.
• RAC / Admiral Insurance-related Premium Finance: UK direct/motor insurers offering in-house installment payment options on insurance premiums; emerging competitors to CBPF by allowing brokers' insurer partners to capture finance margin themselves.

Broad incumbents

• Liverpool Victoria (LV=): UK mutual insurer that includes premium finance among its member finance offerings; a vertically integrated incumbent that competes indirectly for premium-financed policy revenue.
• Close Brothers Group plc: Publicly-listed parent (LSE) that owns CBPF plus motor finance, banking, and asset management divisions. Provides balance-sheet capital, regulatory oversight (PRA/FCA), and corporate infrastructure that underpins CBPF's lending capacity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/closebrotherspf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/close-brothers-premium-finance

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Close Brothers Premium Finance