Wrightbus secures £150 Million to fast-track global electric bus expansion ambitions

Image Credit: Wrightbus

Wrightbus, the Northern Ireland-based manufacturer renowned for its zero-emission buses, has announced a major £150 million financing package from HSBC UK. This move is set to supercharge its expansion into low-carbon transport solutions globally.

This strategic capital infusion doubles the company’s existing funding lines and signals a bold step forward in its journey from local resilience to global relevance. From Ballymena to Brisbane, the company is positioning itself as a serious contender in the future of sustainable mobility.

Founded over 75 years ago but reborn in 2019 after a high-profile rescue by entrepreneur Jo Bamford, Wrightbus has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, it stands as a pillar of innovation and employment, with a 2,300-strong workforce and an annual output of 1,200 buses — an impressive 95% of which produce zero tailpipe emissions. But Wrightbus isn’t simply content with building new clean buses. It’s also breathing new life into existing fleets.

At the heart of its growth story are two emerging business units: NewPower and Rightech. NewPower, the company’s repowering division, is already attracting orders from UK transport operators keen to decarbonise without scrapping their fleets. Here, engineers convert conventional diesel buses into fully electric vehicles — a high-impact, low-waste solution for transit providers.

Launched in January 2025, Rightech focuses on ready-to-go battery-electric vehicles, aiming to rapidly scale access to clean transport without compromising on quality or performance.

The HSBC UK deal includes working capital and hedging support, giving Wrightbus the financial muscle to ramp up production across its Northern Ireland and Malaysia sites. It also enables further investment in next-gen technologies and the diversification of its product lineup — all essential to staying ahead in a fiercely competitive mobility market.

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales called the deal “a pivotal milestone.” They emphasized that the company is setting its sights high.

“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.”