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Shire Leasing Review

Shire Leasing is an independent UK asset finance provider founded in 1989 and headquartered in Tamworth, Staffordshire. As one of the UK's few remaining independent non-bank asset finance specialists, Shire Leasing focuses on technology finance, soft asset leasing, and equipment finance for SMEs across the UK. Unlike bank-owned asset finance providers, Shire operates as a broker and funder, giving it access to a wide panel of funders and the flexibility to place deals with the most appropriate funder for each customer's profile. This model makes Shire particularly effective for businesses declined by mainstream lenders, as it can access specialist funding lines not available on the high street.

Written by the Lendus editorial team. Last updated: April 2026.

200+ UK lenders
2-minute application
No credit check to apply
FCA-regulated brokers

Amount

£1k – £1M

Rates

5% – 25%

per annum depending on asset, funder, and credit profile; specialist funders may be higher

Speed

Same-day decisions on standard deals; 24–48 hours for complex cases

Trustpilot

4.8/5

1,800 reviews

What is Shire Leasing?

Shire Leasing (Shire Leasing PLC) is a UK-based business finance provider founded in 1989 and headquartered in Tamworth. Shire Leasing is an independent UK asset finance provider founded in 1989 and headquartered in Tamworth, Staffordshire. As one of the UK's few remaining independent non-bank asset finance specialists, Shire Leasing focuses on technology finance, soft asset leasing, and equipment finance for SMEs across the UK. Unlike bank-owned asset finance providers, Shire operates as a broker and funder, giving it access to a wide panel of funders and the flexibility to place deals with the most appropriate funder for each customer's profile. This model makes Shire particularly effective for businesses declined by mainstream lenders, as it can access specialist funding lines not available on the high street. They have lent £1.5 billion to date, helping 30,000+ UK businesses.

Founded 1989 Tamworth Shire Leasing PLC is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA reference number 307423.

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Products offered

Asset Finance

Rates and costs

Rate range
5% – 25% (per annum depending on asset, funder, and credit profile; specialist funders may be higher)
Amount range
£1,000 – £1,000,000
Approval speed
Same-day decisions on standard deals; 24–48 hours for complex cases

Representative example

Borrow £30,000 over 36 months. Total repayable: £35,800. Cost of credit: £5,800. Your rate depends on your circumstances.

Eligibility requirements

Minimum trading history
3+ months; startups considered via specialist funder panel
Minimum turnover
None — Shire's broker model can access funders for micro-businesses and startups
Credit requirements
Wide range of credit profiles considered via multi-funder panel. Adverse credit, CCJs, and limited trading history can be placed with appropriate specialist funders. Not a direct lender — Shire places each deal with the most suitable funder on its panel.

How to apply

1

Check eligibility through Lendus — answer a few questions about your business and funding needs (2 minutes)

2

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3

Review your matched options — see rates, terms, and eligibility from multiple providers including Shire Leasing

4

Choose the best offer and complete the application with your matched lender directly

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Pros and cons

Pros

  • Highest Trustpilot rating of any UK asset finance provider — 4.8 from 1,800+ reviews
  • Multi-funder broker model — places deals with the best funder for your profile
  • Accepts adverse credit and startups via specialist funder panel
  • Strong expertise in technology finance and soft assets (IT, office equipment, software)
  • Independent — not owned by a bank, so not limited to one funder's criteria

Cons

  • As a broker/funder hybrid, the end funder's terms may vary from initial indicative rates
  • Maximum deal size of £1 million is lower than bank asset finance providers
  • Soft asset focus means less suited to very large plant or vehicle fleet deals
  • Less well known than major bank-backed competitors

Is Shire Leasing right for you?

Best for

SMEs needing technology, IT, and office equipment finance — particularly businesses with adverse credit or limited trading history that need access to a multi-funder panel rather than a single lender's criteria

Not ideal for

Businesses needing very large asset finance deals over £1 million, those seeking property-backed lending, or borrowers wanting direct bank-level asset finance terms for prime cases

Shire Leasing alternatives

If Shire Leasing isn't the right fit, consider these alternatives:

Lombard Close Brothers Novuna Business Finance Aldermore Bank

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Frequently asked questions about Shire Leasing

Is Shire Leasing legit?
Yes, Shire Leasing PLC is a legitimate, FCA-authorised asset finance provider (FCA reference 307423) founded in 1989 and one of the UK's most established independent asset finance specialists. The company holds an Excellent Trustpilot rating of 4.8 from over 1,800 verified reviews — one of the highest ratings of any UK asset finance business. You can verify their FCA status at register.fca.org.uk.
What are Shire Leasing interest rates?
Shire Leasing rates vary depending on which funder on their panel is used for your deal. For prime credit cases on standard assets, rates can start from around 5% per annum. For adverse credit profiles or specialist assets, rates from specialist funders may be higher — sometimes reaching 25% per annum. Because Shire operates as a broker and funder hybrid, the rate you receive reflects the best available option from their panel for your specific circumstances and asset type.
Can I get Shire Leasing finance with bad credit?
Shire Leasing's multi-funder panel model gives it access to specialist funders who will consider adverse credit profiles, CCJs, and limited trading history that mainstream bank lenders would decline. This makes Shire one of the most accessible asset finance providers for businesses with credit challenges. The rate from a specialist adverse credit funder will be higher, but the ability to finance the asset at all may be more valuable than the cost difference.
How much can I borrow from Shire Leasing?
Shire Leasing finances assets from as little as £1,000 for small technology purchases up to £1 million for larger equipment transactions. Most SME deals fall in the range of £5,000 to £250,000. The broker model allows Shire to access funders for very small ticket deals that larger institutions often decline to process due to cost. Larger deals over £1 million are better served by bank-owned asset finance providers such as Lombard or Close Brothers.
Is Shire Leasing FCA regulated?
Yes, Shire Leasing PLC is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FCA reference number 307423. As a broker and funder hybrid, Shire is regulated for both its own lending activity and its credit broking activities. The end funders in their panel are also separately regulated by the FCA. You can verify Shire's status at register.fca.org.uk.
How fast does Shire Leasing approve asset finance?
Shire Leasing offers same-day credit decisions on standard asset finance applications, particularly for technology and equipment finance under £50,000. More complex cases or those requiring specialist funder placement may take 24 to 48 hours. Fund release typically follows within 1 to 2 working days of documentation being returned. Shire's experience with soft assets means the documentation process is often streamlined compared to physical asset lenders.
Can I repay Shire Leasing finance early?
Early repayment terms depend on which funder has been used for your specific deal, as Shire places transactions with different providers from their panel. Some funders allow early settlement with a reduced charge on outstanding balance; others may require minimum interest periods. Always check the terms in your specific finance agreement and contact Shire Leasing directly for a settlement figure before making any early payment.
Shire Leasing vs Lombard — which is better for technology finance?
For technology and soft asset finance, Shire Leasing is generally the stronger specialist. Its multi-funder model is designed for exactly this type of asset, and its deep expertise in IT and office equipment leasing means it understands how these assets depreciate and how to structure agreements appropriately. Lombard, while a larger and more capitalised provider, is better suited to hard assets like vehicles and heavy machinery. For businesses needing to finance technology, Shire's Trustpilot rating and specialist soft asset expertise make it a very strong first consideration.

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