Wrightbus secures £150m HSBC UK funding to power global green transport expansion

Wrightbus, the UK’s leading zero-emission bus manufacturer based in Ballymena, has secured a landmark £150 million finance package from HSBC UK, aimed at accelerating its global growth and boosting production of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

The significant funding deal more than doubles the company’s existing financial support and is set to power Wrightbus’s bold vision to become a world leader in sustainable transport, with exports spanning from Ballymena to Brisbane.

The finance arrangement includes hedging and working capital support, and will enable the firm to scale up operations at its factories in Northern Ireland and Malaysia. This will also fuel continued investment in cutting-edge technology and the expansion of its NewPower and Rightech divisions.

Wrightbus Chief Executive Jean-Marc Gales hailed the deal as a pivotal moment for the business and its wider network:

“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 said.

“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 Chief Executive Jean-Marc Gales

Since being rescued from administration in 2019 by entrepreneur Jo Bamford, Wrightbus has undergone a remarkable transformation. From a workforce of just 50, the company now employs over 2,300 staff and produces around 1,200 buses annually, with 95% of them being zero-emissions.

Executive Chairman Jo Bamford expressed pride in how far the company has come:

“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.”

The funding will also supercharge the firm’s NewPower division, launched in 2024, which converts diesel buses into electric vehicles at a cutting-edge facility in Bicester. Meanwhile, Rightech, launched in January 2025, delivers a suite of ready-to-go battery-electric vehicles for public and private transport operators.

George Saunders, Capital Markets Director at HYCAP, which helped structure the funding, noted:

“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.”

HSBC UK underscored its commitment to sustainable innovation within the UK manufacturing sector.

Akhil Shah, Relationship Director, commented:

“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.”

Legal counsel for the transaction was provided by Pinsent Masons LLP on behalf of HSBC, with Stephenson Harwood LLP acting for Wrightbus.

As the global push for cleaner transport intensifies, Wrightbus’s expansion, supported by this latest funding milestone, positions the company as a vital player in the zero-emission revolution — both at home and abroad.