Ultimate Finance supports transport group with £7.5m facility

Ultimate Finance has provided a £7.5 million Invoice Finance facility to support the UK operations of an international transport service solutions group, following the acquisition of one of its long-term clients.

The funding brings together two existing UK entities under a single receivables finance arrangement, designed to provide flexibility, control and scalability as the group continues to expand its transport operations across the UK.

The group, which runs millions of passenger journeys each year worldwide, provides transport management services including school and shuttle bus programmes, with live tracking and 24/7 operational support.

Ultimate Finance has supported the acquired transport business since 2017 through an Invoice Finance facility. Following the acquisition, the lender worked closely with the group’s new directors to develop a unified funding structure that would accommodate both existing and new contracts.

Ultimate Finance Regional Director Matthew Speed said: “The group is scaling rapidly, and they needed a funding partner that could match their pace.

“Our track record with the existing client, combined with our service-led approach, meant we could deliver a competitive and flexible group solution to keep momentum.”

Relationship Manager Matthew Richards added: “Having supported the newly acquired business for close to ten years, we knew the debtor book, the systems and the contract cycle.

“That insight let us shape eligibility and allowed us to put in place a seamless migration plan as contracts move from one group entity to another”.

The new structure combines a £6m Invoice Finance facility with the existing £1.5m facility, creating a total package of £7.5m. The funding provides working capital to support day-to-day operations and new contracts, as well as a framework to manage the phased transfer of receivables between entities as the group’s UK business expands.

Ultimate Finance said the facility was designed to support both current requirements and future growth, with scope to increase as the group scales further. The arrangement complements the group’s US-based funding structures.

The facility was developed through close collaboration between Ultimate Finance’s regional and relationship management teams and the group’s finance leadership, aligning on growth plans, cashflow needs and the timing of contract migrations.

Speed said the process reflected the lender’s relationship-driven model: “This was a competitive process, and ultimately experience of our excellent service standards won the day. We focused on smooth onboarding, a clear migration pathway and ongoing support from a trusted team.”

With the facility now in place, the group plans to continue its UK growth strategy and invest in technology and sustainable transport initiatives as it works towards its target of net zero by 2030.

Richards said: “We’ll stay close to the finance team to optimise the facility as the UK book grows. Our goal is simple: keep cash flowing, remove friction and back our client’s plans every step of the way.”