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Asset finance insurance provider Acquis has opened a new office in Paris as part of its strategy to grow within France’s leasing and asset finance market. The company said the move underlines its commitment to being closer to French clients and builds on more than a decade of commercial activity in the country. Rising demand from businesses for leasing as a way to preserve cash flow when investing in new equipment has reinforced the opportunity. 

A recent Acquis study found 43% of French companies now consider leasing or asset finance their main source of funding, up ten percentage points from 2023. 

To lead the new operation, Acquis has appointed Frédéric Guez as Regional Manager France & Benelux. Formerly President of Assurera, Guez will oversee business development across France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, reporting to European Sales Director Martin Lehnert. In addition, Cyrille Mascaud becomes Head of Sales France, focusing on new market opportunities and relationships with finance and leasing companies.

BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions has launched a new digital originations platform in Italy, developed with fintech provider Odessa, marking the first stage of its wider digital modernisation programme. The deployment is part of a modular rollout strategy that will extend to France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom over the coming months. 

According to Chief Operating Officer Ralph Crockett, the platform’s configurability enables the company to “better serve all our stakeholders with greater efficiency,” and he highlighted enthusiasm for continuing the partnership with Odessa. 

A subsidiary of BNP Paribas, the leasing arm collaborates with equipment manufacturers and distribution networks to deliver tailored leasing and rental solutions. Built on Odessa’s asset-centric architecture, the new system is designed to handle complex partner requirements, improve user experience and support data-driven decision-making. It integrates seamlessly with BNP Paribas’ private cloud infrastructure and complies with the group’s security and regulatory standards, reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation across Europe. 

PEAC Solutions has acquired Berlin-based fintech firm topi, strengthening its digital financing capabilities and expanding its presence in the growing “Hardware as a Service” (HaaS) market. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, adds topi’s API-driven platform to PEAC’s portfolio, enabling retailers and manufacturers to offer IT hardware subscriptions at the point of sale — online, in-store, or via call centres. 

Previously, topi relied on strategic partnerships for funding, including a €50 million facility from Macquarie through a co-owned SPV, alongside €23 million in venture capital from Index Ventures and Creandum. As part of the acquisition, all external debt arrangements have been closed, with topi now fully funded by PEAC, which acquired 100% of its shares. 

Global CEO William Stephenson said integrating topi would be “a massive differentiator” as the company pursues growth in technology and other sectors. Topi will continue operating from its Berlin headquarters, serving customers across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Belgium. 

UK GDP grew 0.3% in Q2 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), slower than Q1’s 0.7% but ahead of forecasts. The economy contracted in April and May before rebounding with 0.4% growth in June, driven by services including computer programming, health, and vehicle leasing. 

ONS director Liz McKeown said activity had been “brought forward ahead of tax and tariff changes,” but noted a strong June recovery. Finance providers welcomed vehicle leasing’s growth, citing continued demand for mobility and fleet solutions, supported by post-pandemic supply chain stabilisation and flexible, asset-light business models. 

Mike Randall, CEO of Simply Asset Finance, highlighted that higher employer costs from National Insurance rises had weighed on investment, yet stressed growth potential remained high with government infrastructure plans.  

Business groups warned that rising taxes and business rates, including potential supermarket closures, could dampen momentum, while firms increasingly turn to self-employed contractors to reduce costs, according to Bloomberg. 

Chiltern Railways, part of Arriva Group, has signed a ten-year rental agreement with Beacon Trains for 13 low-emission units, supported by the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT). The new trains, introduced in stages from next year, will replace the oldest fleet on routes between London, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and the West Midlands. 

The trains will use hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), building on Chiltern’s pioneering use of HVO for Class 68 locomotives since July 2023, reducing emissions across its network. The agreement forms part of Chiltern Railways’ broader plan to modernise and decarbonise its fleet, including network electrification and phasing out older diesel trains by 2030. 

Arriva UK Trains managing director Amanda Furlong called the milestone “a great example of collaboration with government to deliver practical improvements for passengers.” UK Rail Minister Lord Hendy highlighted the benefits for additional services, supporting travel, work, and social opportunities. Arriva continues to explore alternative fuels, hybrid, and electric technologies across the UK and Europe.