Three Generations, One Mission: Making Asset Finance For SME’s Slightly Less Boring
Let’s rewind to the year 1984. Madonna was on the radio, leg warmers were all the rage, and a dashing man named Pat Molyneux, armed with nothing more than a Rolodex of clients from his days at Allied Irish Bank and a gleam in his eye, decided to take on the world of business finance.
Pat didn’t venture alone though. He had the brains and brilliance of his wife, Marilyn Molyneux, at his side. Together, this husband-and-wife duo formed what can only be described as a power partnership. They started small (as most legends do), but with Pat’s unshakeable charm and Marilyn’s sharp financial sense, they slowly began laying the foundations for what would become Lease Finance Limited — or LFL, as the cool kids say.
Fast-forward to 1989, and Lease Finance Limited officially incorporated. The Molyneuxs were serious now. Suits were pressed. Phone lines were busy. Deals were done. From truck finance and tractor finance to light commercial vehicles, LFL was soon helping UK businesses grow without needing to sell a kidney to pay upfront costs.
Surviving the ’90s (And the Fashion)
The 1990s arrived like a whirlwind of boybands and economic turmoil. As recessions swept the UK, many finance firms folded. But not LFL. No, Pat and Marilyn kept their feet firmly on the ground (and their coffee mugs firmly filled). The couple navigated the choppy waters with wisdom, grit, and just a pinch of black humour.
Even as banks tightened lending and cash became king, LFL held firm, offering independent finance brokerage to businesses when they needed it most. Whether it was invoice finance, asset finance, or just a good old-fashioned chat about how to keep the lights on — Pat and Marilyn were there.
Enter: The Next Generation (Sort Of)
Somewhere between dial-up internet and The Millennium Bug panic, Andy Molyneux — Pat and Marilyn’s son — decided it was time to join the family business. At the tender age of 17, armed with enthusiasm, acne, and a tie borrowed from his dad, Andy tried his hand at being a finance broker.
Spoiler alert: It didn’t go well.
Let’s be honest, would you trust a teenager with your agricultural machinery finance or your SME loan? No? Neither did most of their clients. Andy’s short-lived finance career was quietly shelved and replaced with… well, anything that didn’t involve trying to explain interest rates to people twice his age.
A New Millennium, A New Direction
In the early 2000s, LFL decided to branch out into own-book lending. Yes, Pat and Marilyn were now not just brokering deals — they were lending their own money. That’s like playing Monopoly on Expert Mode. They were helping clients secure construction finance, import finance, and everything in between, all while running a tight, family-focused operation from the heart of Shropshire.
Then in 2007, like a boomerang with a suit, Andy returned. This time older, wiser, and with a proper grasp of Excel. But just as he was getting into the swing of finance brokerage, the global financial crisis hit. Cheers, economy.
To keep the business afloat, Andy did what any responsible finance broker would do — he found gainful employment elsewhere. (It’s starting to feel like finance was avoiding Andy on purpose at this point.)
2014: A Turning Point
Tragically, in 2014, Marilyn passed away — leaving a void both in the business and in the hearts of those who knew her. In the face of grief, Andy did what Molyneuxs do best — he stepped up. He returned to LFL once more, this time for good, to help his dad keep the legacy alive.
With a laptop on the kitchen table and deals happening between cups of tea, the duo ran the business from a home office near Shrewsbury. Eventually, they upgraded to a real office in Shrewsbury (with desks and everything!). Pat, after a few years of pretending to enjoy spreadsheets with Andy, finally hung up his calculator and retired. (Though some say he just wanted to avoid the new office printer.)
Present Day: Andy’s Era (With George on the Horizon)
Today, Lease Finance Limited is led by Andy, who—after multiple attempts—is finally getting the hang of this whole “finance” thing. With nearly four decades of experience behind the business, LFL is expanding into new and exciting sectors, like car finance and leisure & gym finance.
And who’s helping drive this modern mission forward?
George Molyneux — Andy’s son and the third generation of the LFL dynasty. That’s right, folks: three generations of finance brokers, each bringing their own flavour to the mix. George is currently spearheading efforts to dominate the car finance market and make a splash in the fitness finance world (dumbbells don’t come cheap, you know).
Whether it’s SME finance, construction equipment finance, agriculture machinery loans, or import finance, LFL is now reaching businesses across the UK — all while keeping its family values intact.
So Why Choose Lease Finance Limited?
Let’s be clear: there are bigger firms out there. There are shinier websites and brokers with very expensive watches. But what you get with LFL is genuine, independent financial advice, personalised service, and the kind of no-nonsense approach that only comes from people who’ve actually run a business — and run it well — for 40+ years.
We’re not here to push the product that pays us the most commission. We’re here to get your business the best finance deal possible. Simple as that.
Need help funding a tractor? We’re on it. Looking to lease some gym equipment or a fleet of vehicles? Let’s talk. Want to refinance your existing kit so you can free up some working capital? Pull up a chair. We’re not flashy, we’re just honest, experienced, and very good at what we do.
Plus, if you call us, you might just get Andy, George, or even Pat — though he’s usually in the garden these days, pretending to prune but secretly answering client calls.
A Final Word from the Molyneux Mob
We’ve survived recessions, printers, dial-up, and Andy’s teenage broker phase. We’ve worked from a kitchen table and an office in town. We’ve done deals on tractors, trucks, trade equipment, and more weird and wonderful items than we can remember.
We’re proud to be a small, family-run firm doing big finance things — all from our humble HQ in Chester.
So if you’re looking for a business finance broker who actually picks up the phone, an asset finance partner who speaks your language, or a team of three generations who’ll fight your corner — then you, dear reader, are in the right place.
Lease Finance Limited. Financing Businesses Since 1984. And still laughing.