Rethinking asset finance: structuring big deals for real business impact

Main image: Andy Taylor, Sales Director of Haydock Finance

T​​​​​​​he asset finance landscape is undergoing a subtle yet profound transformation. While headlines continue to focus on inflation, interest rates, and global uncertainty, a quieter shift is taking place within the structure of commercial funding itself, one that is redefining how lenders, brokers, and businesses interact in the large and complex asset finance space. 

At Haydock Finance, we've been tracking this evolution closely. Over the past 18 months, we've seen a marked increase in high-value deals, particularly those over £500,000. But this isn’t just about bigger numbers. These deals are more intricate, more strategic, and often driven by entirely different motivations than traditional asset acquisition. 

Increasingly, businesses are coming to us not for new machinery or fleet expansion, but to refinance existing commitments. They’re consolidating multiple agreements, addressing legacy finance costs, and unlocking working capital. In a time when cashflow is king and flexibility is essential, refinancing has become a critical tool not a last resort. But delivering these outcomes demands a shift in how we, as lenders, engage with clients. 

Large-scale refinancing transactions are rarely straightforward. They require a lender to look beyond the balance sheet and understand the operational pressures and commercial objectives behind the funding request. A straightforward credit score or asset valuation won't tell you what a business needs to survive, adapt, or grow. 

This is where lenders must step up. It’s not enough to offer flexible criteria or rapid turnaround. Success in this space demands a combination of deep sector knowledge, structural creativity, and the operational agility to move quickly when needed. Most importantly, it requires trust, the kind of trust that is built through strong broker relationships and consistent delivery. 

At Haydock, we've responded to this changing demand by doubling down on specialisation. We now have a dedicated large-deal team that oversees transactions from £500,000 upwards, from proposal through to payout. This team brings a focused lens to every deal, enabling us to work collaboratively with brokers and clients to tailor funding structures that work in real commercial terms. 

We’ve also invested heavily in our internal systems to enable faster, more accurate underwriting. By increasing the maximum deal size that can flow through our automated platforms, we’ve reduced friction without sacrificing rigour or compliance. The aim is simple: to deliver sophisticated funding solutions at pace, without the bureaucracy that often slows high-value transactions down. 

One recent example illustrates the kind of value this approach can unlock. A regional taxi operator approached us with an urgent need to consolidate several high-cost legacy agreements. The business had a complex group structure, modest profitability, and overseas entities in the mix, conditions that would traditionally trigger delays or even declines from many lenders. 

But with the right attention and structuring, we delivered a £1 million Sale & Hire Purchase Back facility within a tight deadline. The result? The client’s monthly finance outgoings dropped from £90,000 to £33,000, transforming their cashflow position and creating headroom for growth. Deals like this are not about ticking boxes; they’re about solving problems and enabling progress. 

None of this is possible without the broker community. Brokers play a vital role in understanding the client’s full picture and helping structure deals that reflect both current realities and future ambitions. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to strengthen our broker relationships, especially around large and complex transactions. 

Recently, we hosted a series of specialist forums focused entirely on £500k+ deals. These sessions brought brokers face-to-face with our large-deal team, offering practical insight into our credit appetite, case studies, and evolving approach. The feedback was clear: expectations are rising, and brokers are seeking finance partners who can navigate the challenges and deliver with confidence. 

The future of asset finance lies in our ability to blend scale with sensitivity and to make decisions quickly, but not carelessly. As economic uncertainty continues, businesses will increasingly rely on finance partners who understand more than numbers. They’ll need lenders who grasp the strategic reasons behind the request and who can structure deals that deliver real-world impact. 

At Haydock, we see this as both an opportunity and a responsibility. The days of one-size-fits-all finance are behind us. In their place is a new era of asset finance, one that’s smarter, more agile, and built around relationships. As the landscape continues to evolve, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve and always focused on what truly drives value. ​​​​​​​

Andy Taylor, Sales Director Haydock Finance