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Loan guarantee from UK Export Finance enables 3TOP Aviation
to secure a £20 million investment to expand into growing
overseas markets for sustainable aircraft aftermarket
services
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The Leatherhead-based aviation specialist is to grow the UK
arm of the business and create more jobs
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Latest action in the government's Plan for Change and in
support of the UK's manufacturing sector as part of the
Industrial Strategy
A market-leading aircraft trading and refurbishment specialist
has secured multimillion-pound investment to meet growing
international demand with support from UK Export Finance (UKEF) –
the UK's export credit agency.
Based in Leatherhead, 3TOP Aviation acquires mid-to-end-life
aircraft and engines for onward trading, leasing and
refurbishment. As part of their operations, they also dismantle
aircraft and rebuild the associated components for onward sale to
clients, helping to make the aerospace industry more sustainable.
The company – which employs 18 staff in Surrey plus 16 outside
the UK – aims to grow into new global markets and product lines
such as new generation aircraft. As a result of the UKEF-backed
financing, 3TOP Aviation is also planning to expand its UK
workforce by 20% and relocate some of its warehouses in France
and the US to a larger site in Leatherhead, bringing further
benefits to the local economy.
The financing has been secured with backing from UKEF issued
under its General Export Facility. This guarantee enabled HSBC UK
to provide a trade finance facility of up to £20 million,
supporting 3TOP Aviation's export growth.
, Minister for Exports,
said:
This investment shows how we are removing barriers to trade,
unleashing the UK's exporting potential, to bring jobs, growth,
and investment back to local economies like Leatherhead.
Through our Trade Strategy, three landmark trade deals and Small
Business Strategy, our Plan for Change is supporting businesses
like 3TOP Aviation to expand abroad.
Tim Reid, CEO at UK Export Finance, said:
3TOP Aviation's story shows how our support empowers UK
businesses to create prosperity at home while growing their
footprint internationally.
Their impressive growth in turnover from £3 million to £70
million in just four years demonstrates the huge potential for
British firms by tapping into global markets. That's where UKEF
comes in: we're here to ensure that lack of finance never stands
in the way of firms achieving their true export potential.
3TOP Aviation brings more than 25 years of industry expertise to
the sector, with international offices spanning the United Arab
Emirates, United States, Singapore, Germany and India. In the
last four years, 3TOP Aviation's business has boomed with revenue
growing from a post-Covid low of £3 million in 2021 to £70
million in 2025.
Chris Emechete, Managing Director of 3TOP Aviation,
said:
We are delighted to have secured substantial funding from UKEF
which helps strengthen our position as a leading UK exporter of
commercial aircraft aftermarket services and allows us to further
exploit new opportunities around the world.
We are very active in the aviation market globally, so capital
backing from UKEF, a major credit export agency with an
impeccable pedigree and reputation, aligns perfectly with our
growth plans and aspirations.
Nina Stenning, Relationship Director at HSBC UK
said:
3TOP Aviation is a longstanding and highly regarded HSBC
Corporate Client. We are delighted to further support the
business, which has gone from strength to strength since COVID,
and implement a facility which significantly contributes toward
their international growth plans.
This announcement forms part of the government's Plan for Change
to kickstart economic growth and raise living standards across
the United Kingdom by supporting businesses to export and grow.
The news follows the recent publication of UKEF's annual report &
accounts for 2024/25.
Over the last financial year, UKEF provided a record £14.5
billion in new financing, helping over 667 UK companies to export
and grow and supported up to 70,000 jobs.
