Laura Capper
Head of Manufacturing and Construction, NatWest
We are part of a diverse ecosystem of products, services and information sources empowering manufacturers to become Future Fit, offering support across five key growth pillars:
1. Leveraging automation and asset finance
Rising costs and competition make automation essential for many businesses. However, manufacturers investing in robotics, AI-driven machinery, or advanced data systems often face capital limitations, which can slow progress.
Lombard, the UK’s largest asset finance provider,1 enables businesses to acquire cutting-edge equipment without large upfront costs. Through hire purchase, leasing or other flexible funding options, we help manufacturers to increase production and reduce downtime.
2. Driving digital transformation
Digitisation is redefining how manufacturers operate, from predictive maintenance to cloud-based supply chain management. However, integrating these technologies requires investment in infrastructure and training.
NatWest can help support this digital transition through finance as well as strategic partnerships with tech providers and innovation centres. Businesses can also access the NatWest Accelerator Programme, which offers mentoring and development support for scale-ups, driving digital innovation in manufacturing.
Through relationships with industry bodies like Make UK and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, we integrate manufacturers into networks where they can share best practices, access tech pilot schemes and connect with sector specialists.
87% of businesses say they will
require access to finance to meet their
investment plans in the next two years.
3. Advancing sustainability for clean growth
As the UK moves towards the Government’s goal of net zero by 2050, sustainable manufacturing needs to be good for business — and good for the planet.
We’re committed to helping businesses in the manufacturing sector transition to net zero through sustainability solutions, ESG advisory services and practical support. In 2023, we pledged £1 billion in additional lending to UK manufacturing to support this transition.
With our Carbon Planner tool, businesses can assess their environmental impact and identify cost-saving opportunities through energy efficiency, circular economy models and investments in clean technology. Lombard complements this with asset finance, helping businesses acquire everything from electric fleet vehicles (EVs) to solar panels and energy-efficient manufacturing equipment.
4. Building a talent pipeline
Technological adoption is only as effective as the workforce behind it. As skills gaps widen in areas like data science, robotics and cyber security, manufacturers need agile, future-ready talent.
NatWest can help manufacturing businesses build a value proposition with broad appeal, offering benefits like workplace pensions, salary sacrifice EV schemes and wellbeing programmes.
We also partner with local educators, local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) and innovation hubs to connect businesses with the training, apprenticeships and reskilling programmes needed to attract next-gen talent.
5. Improving supply chain resilience
Supply chain management has been challenging for manufacturers, amplified by the global pandemic and geopolitical events. Manufacturers are simplifying supply chains and reducing dependency on specific countries through strategies such as nearshoring, friendshoring and onshoring.
Our trade specialists support manufacturers in optimising their supply chain relationships, mitigating risks associated with new suppliers, and identifying new markets for export.
Financial support for future growth
Our recent report with Make UK found that 87% of businesses say they will require access to finance to meet their investment plans in the next two years. The research also suggests that 39% of manufacturers could use external finance instead of their own funding to invest and keep their working capital for day-to-day operations.
We are committed to removing barriers to external funding, enabling businesses to grow while maintaining healthy working capital reserves and cash flow.
Accelerating innovation for competitive advantage
Manufacturing is a vital and high-value sector of the UK economy and one of the most rapidly changing. Businesses need financial partners with sector expertise and innovative solutions to gain a competitive edge in the sector.
The industrial strategy ushers in a new era of opportunity for manufacturing businesses and we’re committed to helping them fully benefit from it. “We continue to evolve our support to UK manufacturers and have many solutions to enable businesses to grow, innovate, improve productivity and become more sustainable,” Laura Capper says. “Our ambition is not just to finance the future of UK manufacturing — but to help shape it.”
Discover how NatWest and Lombard can support your manufacturing journey at natwest.com and lombard.co.uk.
Security may be required. Products fees may apply. Finance is subject to status and for business purposes only.
[1] Asset Finance UK Top 50, 2024
[2] Experian pH March 2024
[3] NatWest Group to provide £1 billion in additional lending to UK manufacturing to support net zero transition | NatWest Group
