Allied Business Finance (ABF), an independent UK asset finance brokerage, is celebrating two years of turning a clear idea into a growing reality: making business finance more straightforward for UK businesses.
Founded in 2024, Allied Business Finance was established to offer a more transparent, practical alternative for businesses seeking funding. Rather than a transactional approach focused solely on securing finance, ABF was built to help clients understand the right funding structure for their broader commercial goals.
“When we started in 2024, the objective was simple; strip away the complexity and deliver finance that’s transparent, efficient and built around what businesses actually need,” said Ian Thain, one of ABF’s founding Directors. “Between us, we’ve spent decades in the industry, so we understood where the frustrations were. Allied Business Finance was built to solve those.”
That principle continues to shape how Allied Business Finance supports businesses across the UK today, with a focus on long-term relationships, clear advice and finance solutions that fit commercial realities.
Built on Experience
The foundations of Allied Business Finance were built on deep sector knowledge.
The company brought together a six–strong leadership team with a shared view of what business finance should look like: responsive, transparent and commercially useful.
Brian Kilpatrick, Conor Fitzsimmons, Duncan Murray, Ian Thain, Rob Murray and Willie Smith combine experience from institutions including Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Lombard and White Oak UK.
That breadth of experience means ABF can draw on insight from both mainstream banking and specialist commercial finance. It also gives them the ability to understand the challenges businesses face when lender criteria do not neatly align with operational needs.
For many clients, that expertise is what turns finance from an obstacle into a workable solution.
A More Practical Approach to Finance
That experience shapes not just what ABF offers, but how it works day to day.
Each enquiry is handled with a focus on understanding the wider business need, not just the immediate funding requirement. Whether a client is investing in new equipment, expanding their fleet, or upgrading existing assets, the aim is to structure finance that supports longer-term plans rather than short-term fixes.
Today, Allied Business Finance supports businesses across the UK with a full range of asset finance solutions, helping fund vehicles, machinery, farming inputs and equipment across sectors including transport, construction, food processing, farming and manufacturing. The focus is not just on access to funding, but on making the process clear, efficient, and aligned to each client’s needs.
ABF in Practice
A recent deal highlights how that approach works in reality.
ABF supported a long-established food processing business that was purchasing three large pieces of equipment from overseas suppliers, all invoiced in Euros. The funding was agreed, the sterling values confirmed, and documentation was prepared in advance to keep the process moving.
The client paid the suppliers directly in Euros, after which ABF structured a Sale and Hire Purchase Back arrangement to release the funds back into the business. With inspections and documentation handled quickly, the client was reimbursed within a matter of days.
It was a straightforward solution to what could have been a more complex situation, allowing the business to maintain cash flow without disrupting operations.
Growth That Reflects the Approach
That way of working is reflected in the company’s growth to date.
In two years, ABF has supported more than 500 clients and delivered over 1,400 finance agreements. At the same time, it has expanded its panel of funders to over 50, increasing both the range of funding options available and its ability to support a broader mix of businesses.
Having access to a wide panel allows ABF to place deals more effectively, particularly when requirements are more complex or fall outside standard criteria. It also gives clients confidence that the solution being presented is competitive and appropriate, rather than limited to a single lender’s view of the market.
“What makes ABF work is the experience and integrity of the team,” added Rob Murray. “We’ve built the business around long-term relationships. It’s not about individual transactions; it’s about being a partner that clients can rely on as they grow.”
What ABF’s Clients Say
That consistency is echoed by clients.
One long-standing customer commented, “We’ve worked with Allied Business Finance since day one. The process is fast and efficient, and because the team can access multiple funders, we know we’re getting the right deal without having to manage it ourselves. They’ve never let us down.”
Another added, “I deal with lots of different suppliers of services, but none come close to the reliable, honest and straightforward support offered by the ABF team. My suppliers are always surprised by the speed at which our finance deals are organised and paid out.”
A third explained, “Allied Business Finance has made finance simple for us, taking away the pain of the process and getting things sorted, allowing us to concentrate on running the business.”
Looking Ahead
As the business has grown, so too has its network of introducers and partners, creating further opportunities to support clients at different stages of their journey. From established businesses looking to scale, to those navigating more challenging trading conditions, ABF continues to adapt its approach to meet changing needs.
With offices in Stewarton, Ayrshire and directors covering Aberdeenshire, Fife and the Highlands, ABF continues to work with both new and existing clients across Scotland and the wider UK. For the team, the milestone is less about looking back and more about what comes next.
“We’re still building,” said Brian Kilpatrick. “We’re always looking at how we can improve, try new approaches and make a bigger impact for our clients. Seeing the difference we make to businesses is what drives us.”
Looking ahead, the focus remains on strengthening relationships, expanding funding options and continuing to refine the way finance is delivered. The ambition is not just to grow, but to maintain the straightforward, reliable service that has defined the business over its first two years.
Talk to us…
To discover how Allied Business Finance can help your business secure the right finance, email [email protected] or complete our contact form.
To keep up to date with all that’s happening at ABF, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
