Jean-Marc Gales, Wrightbus CEO standing in front of of a red bus

Leading zero-emission bus manufacturer Wrightbus has secured a £150m finance package from HSBC UK as it prepares to ramp up production and decarbonise transport fleets worldwide.

 

The deal sees Wrightbus more than double its existing funding and underlines its ambitions to become a global mobility leader, with sales from Ballymena to Brisbane.

 

Rescued from administration in 2019 by entrepreneur Jo Bamford, Wrightbus now employs more than 2,300 people and produces 1,200 buses per year – 95% of which are zero-emissions[1].

 

HSBC’s funding features hedging and working capital support. The package supports the long build-cycle of buses, enabling Wrightbus to accelerate production at its factories in Northern Ireland and Malaysia.

 

The funding will help develop new technologies and broaden the product offering, as well as support the growth of the NewPower and Rightech divisions of the business.

 

NewPower, launched in June 2024, is Wrightbus’s repowering division, with a growing order book from operators across the UK. Produced at a state-of-the-art factory in Bicester, engineers take existing diesel buses and convert them into electric vehicles. Rightech was launched in January 2025 and offers a suite of ready-to-go battery-electric vehicles.

 

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the company had set a bold vision for its future.

 

“This is an important day for everyone connected with Wrightbus – not just the 2,300 employees but the 7,500 jobs we support in the wider supply chain,” he explained.

 

“Our success is crucial to so many jobs and industries, so we must work relentlessly to keep up this progress. 

 

“This deal is a crucial step as we accelerate our growth and invest in decarbonising public transport with electric and hydrogen-powered buses. Not only does it mean we can provide cleaner and greener vehicles to UK bus operators, it also provides us with foundations for broadening our international reach, with a particular focus on ramping up production in Malaysia as we expand into the Asia Pacific market.”

 

Wrightbus Executive Chairman Jo Bamford explained: “With every new order and every entry into a new territory we’re flying the flag for UK manufacturing. 

 

“HSBC UK’s support and detailed knowledge of our industry will help us lead the way in a new era for buses as we expand our offering across the globe.”

 

George Saunders, Capital Markets Director at asset management firm HYCAP which helped structure the deal, said: “The tailored solutions provided by HSBC deliver operational flexibility across the capital requirements of the business, enabling it to deliver electric and hydrogen buses at the speed and scale required to be a key transport decarbonisation partner.”

 

Akhil Shah, Relationship Director from HSBC UK, explained: “Wrightbus is a remarkable UK success story. Having been bought out of administration just six years ago, the business has grown from employing around 50 people in 2019 to more than 2,300 today. HSBC UK’s end-to-end experience across the public transport sector made us the ideal choice to become the business’s main backer and this new injection of funding puts Wrightbus in prime position to deliver on its ambitious aims.”

 

Rohit Moudgil, Head of Manufacturing and Industrials for HSBC UK, added: “HSBC UK is proud to support Wrightbus who are contributing to the decarbonisation of the public transport system in the UK. The transaction underlines our commitment to supporting the entire zero-emission vehicle ecosystem, connecting manufacturers, supply chains and end customers. Our sector team and coverage bankers are committed to providing the financial solutions businesses need to accelerate UK's transition to zero-emission vehicles.” 

 

Pinsent Masons LLP acted for the HSBC and Stephenson Harwood LLP acted for Wrightbus.

 

Notes to editors: 
HSBC media enquiries to: 
Sian Povey -  [email protected]
Robert Cox - [email protected] / [email protected] 
Wrightbus media enquiries to :
Nathan Rous – [email protected]

HSBC UK

HSBC UK serves over 15 million active customers across the UK, supported by 23,900 colleagues. HSBC UK offers a complete range of retail banking and wealth management to personal and private banking customers, as well as commercial banking for small to medium businesses and large corporates. HSBC UK is a ring-fenced bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 58 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,017bn at 31 December 2024, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. 
 

Read more

Wrightbus Hydroliners launched by German operator WestVerkehr GmbH.

Read on

Buses repowered by NewPower halve maintenance and energy costs with a class-leading range of more than 230 miles

Read on

Pivotal order for RIGHTECH buses

Read on

Science Secretary hails Wrightbus as company pledges £25 million to bolster UK’s green transport revolution and drive growth

Read on

Wrightbus celebrates 50 million zero-emission miles with ministerial visit

Read on

Wrightbus hydrogen bus trial could lead to zero emissions travel for Sizewell C workers

Read on

Wrightbus join government and local authority figureheads at the UK’s first bus manufacturing panel

Read on

Wrightbus goes back to the future as it relaunches the Contour coach

Read on

Transport minister visits Oxfordshire factory to see electric life breathed into diesel buses

Read on

Wrightbus takes wraps off new flagship hydrogen double deck bus

Read on

Industry receives a shot in the arm thanks to phenomenal Wrightbus growth

Read on

Wrightbus launches new brand RIGHTECH

Read on

Strongest ever start to the year for Wrightbus

Read on

Wrightbus Electroliners power nearly four million journeys and cut emissions in Hampshire

Read on

Next generation of cutting-edge diesel buses launched by Wrightbus

Read on

Wrightbus sets sights on further European expansion after hydrogen buses land in Germany

Read on

Wrightbus announce the acquisition of Midlands firm RGI

Read on

Northern Ireland Secretary visits Wrightbus on back of landmark £18.2 billion Budget boost to the region

Read on

Wrightbus appoint James Hamill as HR Director

Read on

Wrightbus signs landmark deal with Go-Ahead

Read on

Continued Growth at Wrightbus

Read on

Wrightbus appoint David Porter as Head of Coach Sales

Read on

Airport passengers served by new zero-emission buses

Read on

Wrightbus coach demonstrator unveiled at Cenex Expo

Read on

New Managing Director joins Wrightbus

Read on

NewPower secures first order from First Bus just weeks after launch

Read on

Wrightbus launches NewPower in Bicester

Read on

Wrightbus has contributed more than £1.5 billion to the UK economy

Read on

100 zero emission electric buses for Translink propels green growth for Northern Ireland

Read on

Wrightbus unveils plan for European growth after incredible start to 2024

Read on
Wrightbus

Get in touch

Wrightbus has been at the forefront of transport innovation since 1946, relentlessly pushing the boundaries with its commitment to quality, style and safety.

Talk to Us Download a brochure