Renaissance Asset Finance

What Renaissance Asset Finance does

Renaissance Asset Finance Limited (RAF) is a UK-based asset finance specialist that provides funding facilities ranging from £10,000 to over £4 million to small and medium-sized enterprises and high net worth individuals across Great Britain. The company traces its heritage to Reliance Financial Contracts Limited (RFC), a broker founded in 1991 that developed a panel of more than 50 lenders and a £70m loan book before being acquired by a merchant bank. The current RAF team relaunched as a direct lender in 2014 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Arbuthnot Latham and Co., Ltd — the private and commercial banking arm of Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC (established 1833) — in April 2017. Headquartered in Basildon, Essex with a registered office in London, RAF operates with an 11-50 employee base and writes business both directly and through a network of premium specialist brokers including Victor Finance, Monarch Asset Finance and Media Lease.

RAF's product suite comprises four core facilities. Hire Purchase spreads the cost of a new asset over an agreed term with ownership transferring at the end, and is structured with fixed monthly installments that do not rise with interest rate changes. Finance Lease allows customers to use an asset while ownership remains with RAF, with rentals typically offsettable against pre-tax profits. Refinance releases capital from assets already owned by the customer against a hire-purchase-style facility. Block Discounting and Wholesale — launched in 2021/2022 — is a wholesale funding solution in which RAF purchases blocks of hire purchase, lease, rental and loan agreements from other finance providers in advance of customer repayments. In September 2022 the company added a commercial loan product for the medical sector (doctors, surgeons, dental and veterinary practices), capped at £100,000 over a maximum 60-month term, for non-regulated fit-out, software and bespoke equipment finance.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring monthly installments on hire purchase and finance lease facilities (with interest margin economics), supplemented by transaction-style economics on refinance and block discounting originations. Approximately 80% of new lending volume in H1 2024 came from hire purchase and leasing, with block discounting making up the balance. RAF has scaled rapidly since 2017: its loan book has grown ~70%, new lending was up 60% YoY in H1 2024, total facilities were up 48%, new clients up 63%, and the wholesale channel has been built out through named facilities with Dantis Capital, One Stop Business Finance, Wey Bridging Finance, Lending Bridge and Expert Lending. Brand activity includes ROKiT MB Motorsport sponsorship in the 2022 BTCC and an Official Partnership with AFC Bournemouth for the 2025/26 season. The firm is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Name

Renaissance Asset Finance

Legal name

Renaissance Asset Finance Limited

Website

https://renaissanceaf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Renaissance Asset Finance is a UK asset finance specialist providing £10k–£4m+ funding facilities to SMEs and High Net Worth Individuals via direct and broker channels. Core products are Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Refinance, and Block Discounting wholesale funding. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arbuthnot Latham.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brentwood

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hire Purchase: Finance option allowing customers to own the asset at the end of the hire period. Spreads cost of new assets over time, reducing impact on cash flow. Monthly fixed installments that do not increase with interest rate changes.
2. Finance Lease: Allows customers to rent rather than own the asset. Asset remains property of finance company while customer benefits from exclusive use. Option to offset rentals against pre-tax profits as trading expense.
3. Refinance: Raise cash from assets already owned. Take finance secured against asset value, repay over agreed period, retain ownership on completion of all scheduled payments.
4. Block Discounting: Funding solution for finance providers. Unlocks capital invested in hire purchase, lease, rental, and loan agreements. RAF purchases blocks of agreements and releases funds in advance of payments being received. Launched in 2021.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Renaissance Asset Finance provides asset-based funding facilities ranging from £10k to £4m+ to UK SMEs, High Net Worth Individuals, sole traders, partnerships, and other finance providers. Core products include Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Refinance, and Block Discounting, covering hard and soft assets such as commercial vehicles, plant, machinery, medical equipment, and broadcasting systems, distributed both directly and through a premium broker network.

Product overview

Renaissance Asset Finance operates as an asset finance specialist offering a suite of four core products: Hire Purchase, Finance Lease, Refinance (Hire Purchase), and Block Discounting. The company provides funding facilities ranging from £10k to £4m+ to SMEs, High Net Worth Individuals, sole traders, and partnerships across the UK, both directly and through brokers. The product portfolio covers diverse asset categories including commercial vehicles, plant and machinery, construction equipment, medical equipment, audio-visual equipment, and specialized assets such as cranes, waste management equipment, and printing machinery. In 2022, the company expanded its offerings to include commercial loans for the medical sector and launched a Block Discounting and Wholesale product line.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hire Purchase A financing option that allows businesses to spread the cost of acquiring a new asset over an agreed period, with ownership transferred at the end of the hire period. Monthly payments remain fixed regardless of interest rate changes.
• Finance Lease A leasing arrangement where the asset remains the property of the finance company while the business benefits from exclusive use. Payments may be offset against pre-tax profits as a trading expense.
• Refinance A funding solution enabling businesses to raise cash from assets they already own by taking finance secured against the asset's value. Ownership is retained upon completion of scheduled payments.
• Block Discounting A wholesale funding solution for finance providers that unlocks capital invested in hire purchase, lease, rental, and loan agreements by purchasing blocks of these agreements in advance of customer repayments.
• Commercial Loan Solution for Medical Sector Non-regulated commercial loan offering for medical professionals and practices to finance office/surgery fit-outs, software systems, and bespoke equipment up to £100,000 with a maximum 60-month term.

Quantifiable outcome

• Loan book increased by 70% since 2017 acquisition
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AFC BournemouthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 September 2025RAF is Official Partner of AFC Bournemouth for 2025/26 season. Partnership includes brand presence, premium hospitality, and activation opportunities throughout the campaign.
• ROKiT MB MotorsportminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 February 2022RAF became exclusive financial services sponsor for ROKiT MB Motorsport in the 2022 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Extension of decade-long relationship with MB brand. RAF branding on team wear and driver Jake Hill's racing suit.
• Asset Finance ConnectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry membership/partnership to strengthen visibility and enhance input in asset finance industry development.
• NACFBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Association of Commercial Finance Brokers membership. Industry partnership for visibility and influence in asset finance sector.
• Acquis LumiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry partnership to strengthen visibility and enhance input in asset finance industry development.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Allica Bank: Allica Bank is a UK challenger bank focused on established SMEs, offering asset finance, commercial mortgages, and business banking. Emerging competitor in the SME asset finance segment where Renaissance Asset Finance operates.
• Tandem Bank: Tandem Bank is a UK digital challenger bank offering consumer and SME finance products including asset-backed lending. Adjacent competitor to Renaissance Asset Finance in the broader UK alternative finance space, particularly for digital-first SME customers.
• Hampshire Trust Bank: Hampshire Trust Bank is a UK specialist challenger bank with asset finance, property finance, and SME lending divisions. Comparable to Renaissance Asset Finance in its focus on specialist SME finance niches within a smaller banking group.

Direct peers

• Haydock Finance: Haydock Finance is a UK asset finance provider offering hire purchase, leasing, and loans to SMEs across vehicles, equipment, and plant. Directly comparable to Renaissance Asset Finance in product suite and SME customer base, with a similar regional origination model.
• Praetura Asset Finance: Praetura Asset Finance is a Manchester-based UK asset finance provider serving SMEs with hire purchase, leasing, and refinancing solutions. Direct competitor with similar ticket sizes and SME target segments to Renaissance Asset Finance.
• Simply Asset Finance: Simply Asset Finance is a UK specialist asset finance broker and lender focused on SMEs, offering hire purchase, finance lease, and refinancing across similar asset categories. Direct peer in customer profile and product offering to Renaissance Asset Finance.
• 1pm plc: 1pm is a UK-listed asset finance group providing hire purchase, leasing, and loans to SMEs and individuals, including through its 1pm Asset Finance and Bradleys Bristol & Bath divisions. Closest direct competitor to Renaissance Asset Finance by business model, ticket size range, and SME focus.

Broad incumbents

• Aldermore Bank: Aldermore is a UK challenger bank with a substantial asset finance division serving SMEs and corporates. Overlaps with Renaissance Asset Finance in hire purchase and leasing for UK SMEs but at significantly larger scale and broader product set.
• Close Brothers Asset Finance: Close Brothers operates a large UK asset finance division serving SMEs with hire purchase, lease, and refinancing products across multiple asset classes. Comparable to Renaissance Asset Finance on product mix and SME target market, but operates at much greater scale and as part of a listed group.
• Paragon Bank: Paragon Bank operates a large UK asset finance division alongside its consumer and commercial banking businesses. Comparable to Renaissance Asset Finance in product types but operates at much larger scale and with broader funding sources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/renaissance-asset-finance-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Renaissance Asset Finance