About Us

Established in 1995, we are an independent finance provider authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. With decades of experience, we offer the reassurance of working with a trusted and knowledgeable team.

We lend our own capital, are not part of a large corporate group, and do not operate through call centres. Instead, you deal directly with real people who are committed to helping your business grow.

Who We Are

County Finance Group

County Finance Group is the parent company of
COUNTY ASSET FINANCE LTD, the lending entity.

County is a highly experienced, independent lender passionate about creating long-term relationships with our customers. Unlike many providers in the alternative finance market, we manage our own funds. This allows us to provide a direct, personal service with a level of flexibility and imagination that larger institutions simply cannot match.

Whether you are a startup looking for your first piece of equipment or an established professional practice seeking to expand, we take the time to understand your specific goals. Our reputation is built on trust, transparency, and a genuine interest in the equipment and industries we fund.

Why Choose Us

The County Difference

Direct

Because we lend our own money, we offer fast decision-making and quick access to funds once your finance is approved.

Personal

You will always deal directly with our experienced team. No automated systems—just personal service.

Experts

We don’t just look at spreadsheets- we look at the whole business, with a flexible approach to underwriting and support.

Meet the Team

Dawn Tingay

Director

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Dawn joined County in the early years of the company back in 1998 and has been a key figure in driving the Group’s growth, stability, and professionalism ever since.

Responsible for the general daily operations of County Finance Group, Dawn oversees areas such as accounting, funding, legal, and compliance, whilst also ensuring the company culture remains positive and motivating for staff. Highly respected within the industry, she has built strong relationships with both funders and clients, establishing the policies and procedures that underpin the Group’s reputation for professionalism and high standards.

As part of the company’s senior leadership team, Dawn helps drive County Finance Group’s ongoing commitment to providing direct, client-focused lending across many sectors to SME’s.

Darren Shaw

Director

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Darren brings over 30 years of experience in asset finance to his role as Director and Head of Sales at County Finance Group.

Darren is responsible for overseeing the business’s sales and marketing operations, managing the Group’s broker network, and ensuring that both existing and new clients receive the high levels of service that County Finance Group is known for. With the business operating its own capital rather than acting as a broker or intermediary, Darren champions a direct, personal approach to lending, allowing swift, flexible decision-making tailored to the individual needs of each client.

Committed to supporting the UK SME community, Darren recognises the unique challenges faced by businesses seeking finance. By providing practical and innovative funding solutions, he helps organisations strengthen operations, drive growth, and achieve long-term objectives.

Kit Malthouse

Director

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Kit is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and co-founder of County Finance Group, which he established over thirty years ago. Since then he has been part of the team who have built the business into a trusted provider of asset finance for UK SMEs, with a particular focus on hard industrial assets. He brings deep financial expertise and a longstanding commitment to supporting British businesses with practical, straightforward lending.

Alongside his work at County, Kit has a long record of public service as an elected representative at all levels of government. He is an exceptionally keen sailor alongside his mutinous crew of three children and his first mate to whom he is married.

Colin Lilburn

Senior Business Development Manager

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Colin returned to the finance industry in 2024, after a distinguished 30-year career in the printing sector, bringing a unique combination of financial expertise and industry insight.

Colin began his career at NatWest Bank in the international department in the City of London, followed by positions at the Bank of Scotland gaining foundational experience in banking before taking on a senior role at an independent leasing company, where he specialised in refinance packages for printing companies, helping clients manage cash flow and capital needs.

At County Finance Group, Colin now leverages his expertise to drive new business growth, strengthen client relationships, and deliver solutions that help businesses across multiple sectors thrive.

Joanne Stonier

Office Manager

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Joanne is a long-serving member of the County staff, having worked alongside Dawn for over 25 years. She is highly valued and widely respected for her keen attention to detail. Joanne brings extensive knowledge of the company, its history, and its long-established customer base.

She supports all aspects of the administration department’s operations and general office management, including new business preparation, customer receivables, invoicing, and all the broader range of administrative functions. An absolute vital cog in our wheel.

Mark Tingay

IT & Equipment Manager

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Mark is a long-serving member of the County team and is approaching his 25th anniversary with the company. He plays a key role in overseeing our asset verification checks and asset valuations, working closely with the sales team while building strong relationships across our supplier and dealer networks.

In addition to these responsibilities, Mark manages our internal IT support and oversees Health & Safety. He also serves as our nominated Fire Officer and First Aider.