AF Broker 30 Report shines a spotlight on UK’s asset finance brokers

A major step forward in transparency and recognition for the UK’s asset finance sector has arrived with the launch of the Asset Finance Broker 30 Report, now available to download at here.

Sponsored by Propel Finance and published by Asset Finance Connect in collaboration with Asset Finance Policy Ltd, this inaugural report ranks the UK’s 30 largest asset finance brokers by leasing volume and offers much-needed insight into a critical but often overlooked channel.

The broker channel originates an estimated £7 billion in SME asset finance each year – roughly 30% of the entire UK business leasing market. Yet despite this significant contribution, there has historically been little publicly available information about the firms driving this volume. The AF Broker 30 Report aims to change that, offering a detailed and data-backed look at the landscape of asset finance brokers, from market leaders to the smaller players who, collectively, make up the backbone of the sector.

As with its sister publications, the Asset Finance UK 50 and Asset Finance Europe 50, the AF Broker 30 draws on publicly available data, transparent estimates, and consistent methodology. Its central ranking lists the 30 largest brokers by leasing volume, regardless of how much of their business is dedicated to asset finance. Alongside this, two additional tables focus specifically on brokers for whom leasing is the core of their business: one based on total origination volume and the other on leasing volume alone.

“The new Broker 30 survey shows for the first time the increasing important role of larger asset finance broking firms, with the top 30 firms accounting for around one third of total broker channel originations. The firms operate in different ways and serve different market segments, but the common factor is leadership that has been able to successfully attract and retain both experienced professionals and new joiners to the industry.”

But the AF Broker 30 is more than just a leaderboard. It also delivers editorial insight into the operational dynamics of the broker-lender relationship, industry challenges, and strategic developments shaping the future of asset finance broking. A key feature explores how brokers select the right lenders for their panels – a decision that involves balancing lending appetite, pricing, responsiveness, and reliability. Meanwhile, lenders seek brokers who deliver well-qualified clients, high-quality proposals, regulatory compliance, and open, proactive communication.

Interviews and features add further depth, including an exclusive with NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham outlining the organisation’s strategic pillars, a Q&A with James Fletcher of Close Brothers’ Specialist Finance Team, and a timely look at how brokers are using digital tools to gain a competitive edge in a shifting market. The report also examines hot-button issues such as fairness in lender agreements, the evolving role of appointed representative models, and the challenges surrounding commission disclosure.

What becomes clear through the AF Broker 30 is the remarkable diversity within the broker community. From individual specialists and start-ups to multi-team firms operating across sectors, brokers vary widely in structure and focus. Yet all share a common purpose: connecting businesses with the right finance solutions. Whether advising a client on structuring a deal or ensuring a lender’s risk profile is met, brokers play an indispensable role in keeping the wheels of business investment turning.

At its core, the AF Broker 30 Report is both a recognition and a resource. It recognises the firms – large and small – that underpin a vital part of the UK’s lending ecosystem, while also serving as a tool for improving understanding, accountability, and collaboration within the sector. As the report concludes, while there may be no one-size-fits-all approach to broker-lender partnerships, the principles of trust, service, and communication remain essential.

To explore the full rankings and editorial insights, download the AF Broker 30 Report at https://assetfinanceconnect.com/afbroker30-2025/.