Perch Group: A Data-Led Financial Services Leader Reshaping the UK Debt Lifecycle

NewsDip7 hours ago

Perch Group has emerged as one of the most ambitious and fast-growing financial services groups in the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Blackpool, England, the organisation operates across the full debt lifecycle, combining technology, data, and people-led expertise to deliver responsible, compliant, and effective outcomes for clients and customers alike.

Founded in 2018, Perch Group has positioned itself as a modern alternative to traditional debt purchase and collections businesses. Rather than viewing debt recovery as a purely transactional process, the group focuses on long-term partnerships, ethical engagement, and governance-driven decision-making. This approach has enabled Perch Group to work with major organisations across utilities, financial services, telecommunications, and consumer credit.

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Perch Group Overview: Powered by Technology, Driven by People

At its core, Perch Group operates on a simple but powerful philosophy: use technology and data to support fair, human-centred debt resolution. The company delivers a one-stop-shop of market-leading, data-led services that simplify complexity for both corporate clients and customers in arrears.

Founded and Location

Founded: 2018
Industry: Financial Services
Head Office: Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool, England
Chief Executive Officer: Craig Hinchliffe

From its North West base, the organisation has grown rapidly by integrating specialist businesses under one unified group structure, allowing it to manage the full spectrum of debt types and portfolio sizes.

Specialties of Perch Group

The organisation’s expertise spans a wide range of services within the credit and debt management ecosystem. Its core specialties include:

Debt Purchase
Debt Servicing
Debt Collection
Debt Resolution
Litigation and Enforcement
Credit Management
Utilities and Consumer Debt
Reconnection Services
FinTech-enabled Debt Solutions
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

This breadth of capability allows the group to offer tailored solutions that align with regulatory requirements, client expectations, and customer circumstances.

The Perch Group Business Model

A One-Stop Debt Lifecycle Solution

Unlike fragmented service providers, Perch Group covers the entire debt lifecycle under one umbrella. This integrated model reduces operational friction, improves data accuracy, and ensures consistent customer treatment throughout every stage of engagement.

Debt Purchase Through Perch Capital

The organisation operates in the debt purchase market through its specialist subsidiary, Perch Capital. This business focuses on acquiring regulated and unregulated unsecured debt portfolios, applying advanced analytics and disciplined risk assessment to portfolio management.

Perch Capital enables the group to manage assets responsibly while maintaining compliance and transparency.

ACI – A Perch Group Company

One of the most important elements of the group structure is ACI, widely recognised as a Perch Group company.

ACI Perch Group operations are centred on customer engagement and debt resolution. ACI is an FCA-regulated, digital-first debt resolution agency that plays a central role in how the group interacts with customers.

Key characteristics of ACI within Perch Group include:

Focus on affordability and sustainable repayment plans
Digital-first customer communication
Strong compliance and governance controls
Emphasis on fair treatment of customers in arrears

The relationship between ACI and Perch Group is fundamental to the group’s operating philosophy. While Perch Group may own or manage debt portfolios, ACI handles the customer-facing resolution process, ensuring regulatory alignment and ethical standards.

Litigation and Enforcement Services

Perch Group also provides litigation and enforcement capabilities through a specialist, regulated legal services arm. This enables the group to manage cases requiring legal escalation while maintaining oversight, proportionality, and compliance with UK legal standards.

This in-house capability allows for better control of customer outcomes and ensures that litigation is used only when appropriate.

Customer Verification and Reconnection

Through its verification services, the organisation supports utilities providers, financial institutions, and SMEs in maintaining accurate customer data. This includes customer verification, reconnection processes, and engagement with customers who have fallen into arrears.

These services reduce operational risk and help clients reconnect with customers more effectively.

Specialist Contact-Centre Outsourcing

The organisation also delivers contact-centre and business process outsourcing solutions, supporting UK businesses with customer engagement services delivered under robust governance frameworks. This ensures high service standards while achieving measurable operational efficiencies.

Leadership at Perch Group

Craig Hinchliffe: Group Chief Executive Officer

Perch Group is led by Craig Hinchliffe, who serves as Group Chief Executive Officer.

Craig Hinchliffe joined the organisation in 2019, initially holding the role of Chief Financial Officer before being appointed CEO in May 2021. His progression reflects deep involvement in the group’s growth and strategic direction rather than founder status.

Under Craig Hinchliffe’s leadership, Perch Group has:

Strengthened its governance and risk frameworks
Expanded its data-led operating model
Focused on responsible debt resolution
Continued growth across regulated financial services

While Craig Hinchliffe is not the founder of Perch Group, he is the executive leader responsible for shaping its modern structure, culture, and operational discipline.

Perch Group’s Governance and Ethical Approach

Three Lines of Defence Model

A defining feature of Perch Group is its strong governance structure. The organisation operates a three lines of defence model, designed to protect:

Customers
Clients
The group’s own brand and regulatory standing

This framework ensures clear accountability across operational teams, compliance functions, and senior management oversight.

Customer-First Debt Resolution

The organisation places significant emphasis on fair treatment of customers in arrears. This includes:

Clear communication
Proportionate action
Consideration of financial vulnerability
Sustainable repayment outcomes

This approach aligns with UK regulatory expectations and supports long-term trust with clients.

Industries Served by Perch Group

The organisation works across a broad range of sectors, including:

Financial Services
Utilities
Telecommunications
Consumer Credit
Mail Order and Retail

Its ability to manage both small and complex portfolios makes it suitable for organisations of varying sizes and risk profiles.

Growth and Market Position

Since being founded in 2018, the organisation has established itself as a significant player in the UK debt purchase and collections market. Its growth has been driven by:

Strategic acquisitions and integration
Investment in technology and analytics
Expansion of FCA-regulated services
Strong client partnerships

The group’s data-led approach allows it to adapt quickly to regulatory changes and evolving consumer expectations.

Public Perception and Reviews

Like many organisations operating in debt management and collections, Perch Group’s public reviews reflect the challenging nature of the sector. Consumer-facing feedback often comes from individuals experiencing financial difficulty, which can influence public ratings.

It is important to distinguish between:

Client performance and regulatory compliance, and
Emotional customer responses to debt engagement

Within the industry, the organisation is recognised for its governance structures and integrated service model.

Why Perch Group Stands Out in UK Financial Services

What differentiates Perch Group from traditional debt businesses is its combination of scale, integration, and ethical focus. By bringing debt purchase, ACI Perch Group resolution services, legal capability, and verification under one structure, the organisation reduces fragmentation and improves outcomes.

Clients benefit from:

Single-partner accountability
Data-driven decision-making
Consistent customer treatment

Customers benefit from:

Clear processes
Regulated engagement through ACI
Fair and structured resolution options

Quick Info

Category	Details
Company Name	Perch Group
Industry	Financial Services
Founded	2018
Head Office	Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool, England
Website	https://www.perchgroup.co.uk
Core Services	Debt Purchase, Debt Collection, Debt Resolution, Litigation, Credit Management
Specialties	Debt Purchase, Debt Servicing, FinTech, Utilities, Consumer Debt, BPO
Key Subsidiary	ACI (a Perch Group company)
ACI Role	FCA-regulated, digital-first debt resolution agency
CEO	Craig Hinchliffe (Group Chief Executive Officer)
Operating Model	Data-led, technology-enabled, customer-focused
Market Focus	UK consumer and commercial debt lifecycle

Conclusion

Perch Group represents a modern evolution of debt management in the UK financial services sector. Founded in 2018 and led by Group CEO Craig Hinchliffe, the organisation has built an integrated, technology-enabled platform covering the full debt lifecycle.

With ACI as a Perch Group company, alongside debt purchase, litigation, verification, and outsourcing capabilities, Perch Group continues to position itself as a responsible, data-led partner for organisations managing consumer and commercial debt.

As regulatory expectations rise and customer treatment remains under scrutiny, Perch Group’s focus on governance, ethical engagement, and long-term partnerships places it firmly among the most notable financial services groups operating in the UK today.

FAQs

1. What does Perch Group do?

Perch Group operates across the full debt lifecycle, providing debt purchase, resolution, litigation, and customer engagement services within the UK financial services sector.