News: Signs are that NatWest are taking Rotherham call centre building

NatWest, the major UK-based retail and commercial bank, appears to be taking on a vacant building in the Manvers area of Rotherham.

A planning application has recently been approved for new signage at Callflex Business Park showing that the company intends to use Unit 6, also known as Discovery House.

Recruitment for Customer Service Advisors based in the building began in February after refurbishment completed last year.

NatWest took on the large Cyan Building at Adwick Park in Manvers in 2007 when RBS Group plc, now known as NatWest Group plc, moved their Lombard business across Rotherham.

Lombard is one of the UK's leading asset finance providers and started out as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861.

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Unit 6 at Callflex is 33,822 sq ft and was previously used as a call centre by the The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Rothbiz reported in 2022 that at least 1,000 jobs were at risk over DWP's planned closure of 13 processing sites, including Rotherham.

Records indicate that Ashfield District Council operates the Callflex building as an investment property.

Also at Manvers, the Concentrix Call Centre at Adwick Park has been put up for sale as an investment.

At 62,652 sq ft over two floors on a 4.95 acre site, there is car parking either side of the building providing 440 car spaces.

The property is let on an FRI lease to Telecom Service Centres Ltd (TCS). The lease was re-geared last year on a ten year term from March 2024 at £430,000 per annum with a tenant option to break March 2029. TCS has been in occupation since 1999.

Concentrix Corporation is based in the United States with operations around the world, including the UK business entity, Telecom Service Centres Ltd. It has previously operated under the name, Webhelp. Concentrix set out plans in 2023 to buy Paris-based outsourcing and consultancy firm Webhelp in a $4.8 billion deal.

AP Investment and Andrew Dixon & Company are marketing the Manvers property for sale having been instructed to seek offers in excess of £4m.

Images: AP Investment / Knight Frank

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News: Lombard-backed Newburgh invest in Rotherham

Rotherham precision engineering specialists, Newburgh Precision Ltd, has secured funding packages from Lombard Asset Finance to reinvest in and refurbish its machinery assets.

With state-of-the-art premises at Templeborough, Newburgh Precision has unrivalled expertise in machining precision components and supplies the oil & gas, power generation, defence, rail and aerospace sectors.

It specialises in manufacturing "cells" that include dedicated groups of resources operated by a team of multi-skilled individuals that are committed to producing a product or products for one customer.

The investment will increase the company's capabilities and ensure maximum productivity. Part of the funding has facilitated the refurbishment of an Asquith Butler Gantry Mill, used to machine various products for the defence and nuclear sectors, saving at least £500k in comparison to the cost of replacing the existing machine.

Further funding has allowed the company to renew the contracts for two other machines – a small Robodrill, employed to make large volumes of small parts, and the KAFO, which is used for the precision machining of Helipads.

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The company currently employees 75 staff with ambitions of becoming a 90-strong team by 2019. Plans for further investment in existing machinery and facilities are already underway, with another machine currently on order and installation planned for February 2019.

Chris Staves, management accountant at Newburgh Precision, said: "Our business has grown considerably over the past four years but in order to maintain this growth it is important that we invest in our existing machinery to ensure maximum efficiency.

"The funding from Lombard Asset Finance has enabled us to renew contracts and refurbish important machinery to increase our capacity as a firm. We look forward to taking delivery of a new machine in February and expanding our capabilities further."

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Veronica Wales, senior relationship manager at Lombard, said: "Newburgh Precision Limited's loyal customer base and future order book is evidence of its efficiency and strength as a business. Our funding will help the company continue to operate profitably and we look forward to supporting Chris and the team through further expansion."

Lombard, one of the UK's leading asset finance providers, can trace its roots back to the North Central Wagon and Finance Company which was founded in Rotherham in 1861.

Newburgh Precision website
Lombard website

Images: Newburgh Precision

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News: Rotherham waste firm bags £500k funding boost

KCM Waste Management has secured a £500,000 business loan from NatWest and a seven-figure investment from asset finance provider Lombard as it expands its Rotherham operations.

The family firm was established 30 years ago and provides waste disposal services to commercial and domestic clients across South Yorkshire from its base at Gin House Lane, where the expanding company has purchased further land for expansion.

An adjacent site was up until recently used by another company (Balmforth Transport) and was sandwiched between two KCM sites. Balmforth vacated the site and KCM stepped in to purchase it. A parcel of land to the North has recently been granted planning permission to be used by KCM as part of its waste management business for storage and distribution and permission was subsequently granted on the new site for a haulage yard and storage and distribution centre.

The whole site reconfiguration will include the relocation of head offices back to Gin House Lane where up to ten new jobs are set to be created.

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Emma Hickling, financial controller at KCM Waste, said: "We have identified several opportunities to consolidate and expand, so this investment comes at a perfect time for the business.

"The process of working with NatWest, the funding partners and our accountants Brearley & Co has been very collaborative and we have been involved and kept informed every step of the way."

The funding packages were achieved through collaboration between the Hickling family, NatWest, Lombard, RBS Invoice Finance and Brearley & Co Accountants.

Mark Smallman of Brearley & Co, said: "The implementation of improved financial systems has enabled the directors to receive regular accurate management accounts.

"Frequent meetings regarding finance have provided the directors with the information and confidence to invest in assets that are streamlining operations at KCM Waste."

A fire destroyed the original KCM offices in 2013 and the funding will enable the owners to add new income streams to existing waste management, recycling, collection and skip hire services.

Lombard, the asset finance provider which began hiring out rolling stock to the railways as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861, has also injected a seven-figure sum into the business, which will be used to purchase, install and operate an energy efficient biomass boiler.

Aaron Carter, senior relationship manager at NatWest, added: "Over the past five years KCM Waste has achieved strong growth, increasing its workforce and giving back to the area by supporting community assets and facilities.

"The Hickling family has a clear strategy for long-term growth and this funding will allow them to identify new revenue streams while improving the day-to-day operations of the business."

KCM Waste website
Brearley & Co website
Lombard website
NatWest website

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News: Leighton Vans invest in new Rotherham HQ

Leighton Vans Ltd, specialists in Volkswagen T5 & T6 van conversions, has bought a new 11,800 sq ft company headquarters and showroom in Rotherham as part of ambitious expansion plans.

The automotive business, which has become a hit with the outdoor and lifestyle community nationwide, is the brainchild of Mike Leighton who spotted a gap in the market for sales and bespoke customisation of VW transporter vans four years ago. It is a spin off from Leighton's former used car business, set up ten years ago.

A million-pound funding package from NatWest and Lombard Finance helped finance the deal which will see the company move from Sheffield to the former Bradken manufacturing unit at Templeborough.

The Dodds Close unit was vacated by Bradken after the Australian heavy engineering company was hit by the downturn in the global mining industry.

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Mike Leighton, managing director of Leighton Vans (pictured), said: "Not only do we sell, rent and lease VW transporters but we create unique, high specification vans which can be colour coded, body styled, upgraded and modified to what our client requires. We really wanted to find premises that suited our business needs, and allowed for growth.

"I've always had a vision to move to a site which would be a drive-to destination for our customers. I wanted a space to display about 50 vehicles, offer merchandise and have an informal customer area.

"This concept will work really well at Dodds Close. Parking and storage was always an issue for us but now we will be able to enhance both our customer experience and the production side, doubling our workforce of eight and operating four ramps in the garage instead of two. The location is really well positioned for the M1, Meadowhall and train stations."

The site is currently being refurbished following the granting of planning permission. It is planned to open in late March.

Sheffield solicitors Wake Smith advised on the deal. Paul Gibbon, director at Wake Smith's commercial property division, said: "We were really pleased to be able to arrange the purchase requirements for Leighton Vans expansion.

"The business model established by Mike works extremely well and he has developed a strong customer base across the country, tapping into the popularity of outdoor sports and people wanting to enjoy the countryside."

The company now has a one million pound turnover, has customers nationwide and also supports world renowned professional mountain bikers including Sheffield's Steve Peat, Scotland's trial cyclist Danny Macaskill and World Cup circuit rider Brendan Fairclough.

Aaron Carter, relationship manager at NatWest, said: "Leighton Vans is a dynamic and ambitious business. It has been really rewarding to work with the management team to progress their growth plans, which are helping to create new jobs locally."

Rebecca Schofield, partner at Knight Frank, which marketed Dodds Close, added: "This industrial warehouse unit is in an established location and ideal for Leighton Vans' expansion needs. It will allow them to have a much improved base with office, showroom, customer area and workshop – all under one roof.

"This unit was one of a few freeholds available and we had good levels of interest because of the quality.

"We wish them every success in their new home."

Leighton Vans website

Images: Wake Smith / Leighton Vans

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News: Hire purchase for Rotherham haulage firm

Rotherham haulage business T and R T Wasteney has bought a new lorry after obtaining funding support from NatWest and the bank's asset finance partner Lombard.

The family-owned firm provides haulage services and skip hire to builders and construction firms in and around South Yorkshire.

The business was started more than four decades ago as a skip hire company but has expanded to include haulage services due to demand.

Robert Wasteney, partner at T and R T Wasteney, said: "As the industry has changed we have adapted the business to include haulage. This has proved very popular with our customers who know they can depend on us and our services."

The company found it could no longer operate with only one lorry and turned to NatWest relationship manager Pam Goodison for support on the purchase of a second vehicle. Pam worked with Lombard on acquiring a loan for the lorry.

Pam said: "I was delighted to support T and R T Wasteney on the purchase of the new lorry which will assist the business with further growth and development. I wish the business every success for the future."

Lombard, the UK's largest asset finance provider, recently celebrated its 150 years in business since it began hiring out rolling stock to the railways as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861. It still has around 600 staff in Manvers and specialises in products such as hire purchase, operating lease and sale and leaseback.

The deal follows on from a similar deal for fellow Rotherham firm, N M Logistics, that added three new lorries to its fleet of trucks thanks to joint funding facilities provided by NatWest and Lombard.

NatWest website
Lombard website

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News: Lombard backing businesses with drive

Lombard, the UK's largest asset finance provider, is stepping up its support for businesses in the UK, including funding facilities for Rotherham haulage business, N M Logistics.

Lombard dates back over 150 years to when it began hiring out rolling stock to the railways as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861. It still has around 600 staff in Manvers and specialises in products such as hire purchase, operating lease and sale and leaseback.


Last year RBS launched a review into its business lending after identifying £20bn of surplus deposits. Lombard, the group's dedicated asset finance division, pledged to use this surplus to support UK businesses.

N M Logistics has added three new lorries to its fleet of trucks thanks to joint funding facilities provided by NatWest and Lombard.

The firm, which has a unit at RiDO's Century Business Centre in Manvers, employs four staff members and caters for clients in and around Yorkshire. It was founded by Nigel Leader who has 30 years experience in the haulage business.

Nigel previously worked in the sales side of the haulage industry where he learned about the financial and costings side of the business. He also developed a focus on strong customer service and solutions which he took with him as set up his new enterprise N M Logistics.

Nigel Leader, director at N M Logistics (pictured, right), said: "I provide customers with a personal service, getting to know them and their business needs, and offering ways we can work with the customer. Service is king as far as I am concerned. I set the bar very high for myself and my staff, and we have close business relationships."

With an increasing demand for his business and only one lorry, Nigel found it was time to increase his fleet. He turned to Gavin Senior at NatWest who helped him secure working capital facilities to help grow the business. Gavin then introduced Nigel to Dominique Upton of Lombard Finance who helped secure additional funding for the purchase of the trucks.

Nigel, added: Gavin and Dominique were very personable and reliable which was important to me. They spent time with me and got a feel for my business. They wanted to understand the full nature of my business and get to know more about the haulage industry."

Looking to the future, Nigel is already considering further opportunities for business expansion such as providing a storage facility for clients.

Gavin Senior, relationship manager at NatWest (pictured, left), said: "I was happy to support Nigel and N M Logistics on this project. It's an excellent business which I believe will continue to grow."

Lombard website

Images: Lombard

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News: Survey shows companies are continuing to reshore manufacturing

The gradual trend towards reshoring production in-house and sourcing UK based suppliers, is continuing according to a major report released this week by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and global law firm Squire Sanders.

According to the report "Backing Britain – a manufacturing base for the future," one in six companies have reshored production back to the UK in the last three years. This compares to one in seven companies in 2009.

In January, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) joined forces with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to launch Reshore UK, a new one-stop-shop service to help companies bring production back to the UK.

UKTI recently identified 1,500 manufacturing jobs reshored in the UK since 2011 and a MAS survey showed companies citing costs, quality and reducing lead times as the top three reasons for moving production back to the UK. The EEF survey also shows that the main reason for reshoring production is to improve the quality of products and components, cited by 35% of companies.

Some 84% of survey respondents emphasise an advantage to their business brand and reputation from the production of UK-made goods, the quality of which is held in high regard around the world.

Terry Scuoler, chief executive at EEF, said: "The trend may be gradual but is highly encouraging to see more re-shoring continuing. While it will always be two-way traffic, the need to be closer to customers, to have ever greater control of quality and, the continued erosion of low labour costs in some competitor countries means that in many cases it makes increasingly sound business sense."

Reshore UK will provide a matching and location service, access to advice and support and a named individual to help each company. MAS's role is to help support small and medium sized businesses to be globally competitive and to ensure there is capacity in the UK supply chain to take advantage of the reshoring opportunities. UKTI will use its global networks to attract foreign companies to invest.

Lombard, the UK's largest asset finance provider, has also seen evidence of the reshoring trend. Lombard recently celebrated its 150 years in business since it began hiring out rolling stock to the railways as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861. It still has around 600 staff in Manvers and specialises in products such as hire purchase, operating lease and sale and leaseback.

Richard Hemsley, managing director of Lombard, said: "We have worked with a number of customers recently who have made the decision to bring a greater proportion of the manufacturing process back to the UK. These customers have found it both more cost effective and efficient, speeding up productivity and delivery of lead times as well as providing wider benefits such as the creation of new jobs.

"We are eager to identify how the asset finance industry can support the investment requirements for others adopting the approach to "Make it in Britain.""

EEF website
Lombard website

Images: EEF

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News: Lombard aims to put £20bn RBS surplus to work

Lombard, the UK's largest asset finance provider, is committed to helping small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access the £20bn of additional available funding recently announced by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS).

Lombard recently celebrated its 150 years in business since it began hiring out rolling stock to the railways as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861. It still has around 600 staff in Manvers and specialises in products such as hire purchase, operating lease and sale and leaseback.

Earlier this year, RBS launched a review into its business lending after identifying £20bn of surplus deposits. Lombard is the group's dedicated asset finance division.

Richard Hemsley, Lombard's newly appointed managing director (pictured), explained that "Lombard is 100% focused on providing the funding that businesses need to get back on their feet.

"The funding of capital investment is of fundamental importance at a time when we are seeing signs of improvements in the economy." 

In the first half of 2013 Lombard has seen increased funding levels from specific sectors notably production assets (up 17%), light commercial vehicles (up 8%) and cars (up 6%).

Lombard's research, conducted by OnePoll with 600 companies in March 2013, showed that businesses were putting off investment in their capital assets which was resulting in lost orders to the tune of £5.4bn.

Hemsley added:: "The UK cannot afford to sit back at this point in the recovery – there are many opportunities for businesses to capitalise and we believe that in order to do this, they should be operating with the most up to date kit. If the UK is to build a sustainable and secure economy, and to establish a competitive position in the global marketplace, it is essential that businesses recognise the important role that investment will play in delivering these objectives."

Lombard specialises in asset finance, a form of funding that uses the asset as security and helps business release working capital. It is a flexible means of funding business investment without taking money out of reserves.

Hemsley concludes: "Despite the recent economic downturn, Lombard has continued to back business lending where other asset finance providers have moved out of the market. We have remained constant in providing support for SMEs in particular, lending £1.5bn to this sector in 2012.

"As I take up my new position, I shall be considering ways in which we can further enhance the service that we provide to our customers. We also have access to the £20bn of surplus deposits available through our parent bank, RBS, which is ready to be put to work to help the economy. This lays down a marker for Lombard and RBS' ongoing commitment to these customers, and to UK businesses as a whole."

Lombard website

Images: Lombard

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News: Companies delaying urgent investment decisions due to economic uncertainty

A third of UK companies are turning down orders to the tune of more than £5.4 billion rather than investing in new equipment, as revealed in a recent survey by Lombard, the UK's largest asset finance provider.

Research conducted by OnePoll with 600 companies in March 2013 revealed that over 40% of those businesses surveyed that are not investing in capital assets cited their reluctance to invest due to the current economic climate. Despite this, a quarter of the surveyed businesses said they were operating with equipment that needs replacing, and of those nearly three-quarters said this is costing them in terms of higher maintenance bills, with 65% saying it is resulting in lost orders.

The research also showed that of the companies that had increased capital expenditure, over 75% found their profits had increased or stayed the same.

Part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Lombard believes that asset finance, a form of funding that uses the asset as security and helps business release working capital, is a flexible means of funding business investment without taking money out of reserves.

In 2011, Lombard celebrated its 150 years in business since starting out as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861. It still has around 600 staff in Manvers and specialises in products such as hire purchase, operating lease and sale and leaseback.

Ian Isaac, managing director, Business and Commercial, at Lombard, said: "What is alarming is that the UK lags behind other countries such as Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Mexico in relation to investment and purchase of specialised production machinery. The UK needs to invest so that we can get out productivity levels up and work our way up the list of top manufacturing countries.

"We know that we can boost the economy to the tune of billions of pounds and we have the ability to support small- and medium-sized businesses in taking on lucrative deals. This will inevitably help economic growth and help give the UK a global competitive edge. Our international competitors are ahead of the curve in both their investment in manufacturing as well as their greater use of asset finance.

"Lombard has been working closely with sectors such as technology, manufacturing and commercial transportation to raise awareness of asset finance. We have seen a 66% increase in our lending to the manufacturing sector in the past year. But more needs to be done as the research shows low awareness of what this form of funding can offer. As a result we shall increase our efforts to counter the overall low level of confidence that persists in UK businesses, and highlight the flexibility and additional benefits provided by asset finance."

One example is the £1m hire purchase solution for project manufacturing specialist, MTL Group, enabling it to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for its relocation to new premises in Rotherham. The Brinsworth company almost doubled its export sales to £7.3m following the move.

Lombard website

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News: Lombard sees increase in asset financing for manufacturers

Rotherham-based Lombard, one of the UK's leading asset finance providers, has seen year-on-year lending to the manufacturing sector increase by 77%.

At a time when overall aggregate lending is in decline, asset finance has been growing year-on-year and according to the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), its members financed 31.4% of UK fixed capital investment in the second quarter of 2012 and in the nine months to September 2012, this market has grown by 6%, to £16.1bn.

At October 2012, Lombard had seen a 16% year on year increase in its lending to the market as businesses purchase newer, more efficient equipment to enable them to take advantage of continuing strong markets, such as those in export sales.

Lombard's year on year lending to manufacturing was up 77%, in the agriculture sector it was up 22% and in the commercial transportation sector it increased by over 50%.

One example is the £1m hire purchase solution for project manufacturing specialist, MTL Group, enabling it to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for its relocation to new premises in Rotherham.

Ian Isaac, managing director of Lombard's Business & Commercial (B&C) division, said: "Businesses are becoming much more switched on to the lending options open to them, and aware of taking on debt that is appropriate to their requirements.

"There is a recognition that when investing in equipment, whether plant and machinery, commercial transportation or even technology, using asset finance not only reduces the risk of purchase but provides greater financial flexibility, spreading costs and freeing up essential cash flow.

"Asset finance is a very accessible product that has come into its own during the economic downturn. We believe that, as a form of funding, it will continue to grow as the economic climate improves. At Lombard we are committed to helping UK businesses secure the funding that they need for their capital investment to help their businesses grow and succeed."

Lombard recently celebrated its 150 years in business since starting out as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861.

In 2007, the RBS group moved their Lombard business across Rotherham from Moorgate to the state-of-the-art Cyan building at Manvers, relocating around 600 staff.

Lombard website

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News: MTL's investment in Rotherham is paying off

Project manufacturing specialist, MTL Group, has seen turnover increase since it invested in new machinery and new premises in Rotherham.

MTL Group is one of Europe's fastest growing project manufacturing specialists in the metal sector and is a global supplier of secondary steelwork.

It works with a global blue-chip customer base in the defence, construction equipment, rail and off-shore wind energy sectors.

Founded in 1995, MTL Group processes around 30,000 tonnes of material annually and provides a range of services from laser cutting and machining to press braking and surface treatment.

The company moved into a £5m state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Brinsworth last year and has invested £1m in new machinery.

The company approached Lombard, one of the UK's leading asset finance providers that has operated in Rotherham for 150 years, for a £1m hire purchase solution.

Raj Dehel, origination manager at Lombard, said: "We created a four year facility with a straightforward HP funding solution. The company was consolidating its three sites to one location and the equipment we financed went straight into the new site."

MTL's Rotherham facility boasts the largest laser in the UK and a 640-tonne robotic press, which is the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world.

A new high definition bevel plasma cutter and a robotic tube cutter are also in place, both specially designed to support the growth in orders from the offshore renewable energy sector.

David O'Hara, finance director at MTL Group, said: "As a rapidly expanding company, we are investing in more and more unique equipment.

"Not only was I impressed with the rates that Lombard offered, but I was also impressed with the effort it made to build a relationship with MTL Group and to understand our business.

"Since acquiring the machines, turnover has increased and we've won a big export contract, which is underpinned by the new equipment."

MTL Group website
Lombard website

Images: lombard.co.uk

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News: Lombard celebrate 150 years in Rotherham

Lombard, one of the UK's leading asset finance providers, is celebrating their 150 years in business since starting out as the North Central Wagon and Finance Company in Rotherham in 1861.


A group of astute investors saw the business possibilities in leasing wagons to local railway companies, collieries and quarries. By financing colliery owners, the company enabled them to keep coal stocks moving and made a vital contribution to Britain's industrial development.

With offices on Howard Street, the company was almost certainly the first in Britain to offer hire purchase and the business grew rapidly when it was incorporated with limited liability. This enabled it to secure further investment and the offices moved to Market Square. By 1900 the company had 25,000 wagons for hire.

Alexander Baldock, managing director of Lombard said: "As with so many success stories Lombard was founded on humble beginnings. From its inception, North Central Wagon Company made a significant impact on a local industry that depended on the efficient movement of coal and it wasn't long before the business grew, identifying opportunities to run its own wagon building and repair shops."

North Central continued to grow and profit under the leadership of their entrepreneurial chairman, Connop Guthrie who secured financial backing from the Prudential Assurance Company to buy the brand. They took a major step forward in 1928 by turning their attention to the financing of motor vehicles on hire purchase terms.

After transforming the business through acquisition and organic growth, Guthrie was summoned by the government to help the war effort and the company moved to new headquarters on Moorgate in 1939.

After the Second World War and nationalisation of the railways, the company moved more into financing cars and consumer durables and underwent a number of acquisitions, mergers and name changes as banks became keen to acquire hire purchase companies.

The group continued to diversify and make profits and moved into home loans and mortgages and IT and technology leasing. Lombard's biggest deal came in 1998 when they won a bid to finance the purchase of 78 trains for Virgin Rail at a cost of £395m.

In 2007, the RBS group moved their Lombard business across Rotherham from Moorgate to the state-of-the-art Cyan building at Manvers, relocating around 600 staff.

Alexander added: "Diversity and innovation are at the heart of our business's longevity. Lombard has always responded to change and this has been evident throughout our history.

"However, in reflecting on our past and considering the future, it is important not to neglect the present, and in particular the celebration of our achievement in reaching the landmark of our 150th anniversary."

The Lombard story is set to come full circle in Rotherham as the group has recently applied to replace the RBS sign on the Manvers building with the Lombard logo, complete with a black diamond representing a lump of coal and their humble beginnings.

Lombard website

Images: lombard.co.uk

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