Who Is 1st Locate (UK) Ltd?
1st Locate (UK) Ltd is one of the UK’s leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) providers, specialising in intelligent, ethical, and tech-driven debt resolution and customer contact services.
Headquartered in Leeds, West Yorkshire, the company supports some of the UK’s largest organisations, including utility providers, government departments, telecom firms, and retailers, with critical back-office and customer engagement solutions.
Founded in 1999 and formerly known as Investicom Limited, 1st Locate has built a strong reputation over the past two decades for combining advanced data processing technologies, security compliance, and empathetic customer support to deliver effective financial recovery and account resolution services.
The company is particularly known for its Actius™ IT platform, which enables seamless client integration, real-time account management, and secure communications. Backed by over 400 million verified UK customer data points, 1st Locate ensures accurate tracing, debtor management, and brand-sensitive contact solutions.
Who Leads 1st Locate (UK) Ltd and What Is the Company’s Structure?
1st Locate operates as a private limited company, registered in England and Wales under company number 03702599.
The leadership team includes a group of experienced directors with deep expertise in finance, operations, compliance, and customer service:
| Name | Role | Appointed | Nationality | Residence |
| Andrew Barclay | Director | 28 July 2000 | British | Jersey |
| Darren Guest | Managing Director | 15 February 1999 | British | UK |
| Gary Curley | Director | 25 February 2025 | British | UK |
| Tracy Channell-Napier | Director | 25 February 2025 | British | UK |
Managing Director Darren Guest plays a key public-facing role and has been pivotal in establishing 1st Locate as a trusted outsourcing partner.
The team’s leadership style is consistently recognised as supportive, visible, and collaborative, contributing to an award-winning workplace culture.
What Is the Capital Strength and Financial Position of 1st Locate (UK) Ltd?
1st Locate has demonstrated long-term stability and compliance as a regulated financial services provider. The company is:
- Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under reference number 705145
- ISO9001 and ISO27001 certified for quality and information security
- Fully compliant with the CSA Code of Conduct
As of its most recent financial filing (April 2024), the company securely manages over £9 million in outstanding balances monthly, with 4 million outbound postal communications annually.
| Detail | Information |
| Year Incorporated | 1999 |
| Legal Structure | Private Limited Company |
| Capital & Turnover | Over £100 million in processed transactions annually |
| Registered Address | Apson House, Bullerthorpe Lane, Leeds, LS15 9JN |
| FCA Number | 705145 |
| Data Protection Registration | Z6791585 |
With a workforce of 300+ employees, the business is scaled to handle complex, high-volume operations while maintaining a human touch and high standards of compliance.
What Services and Features Does 1st Locate (UK) Ltd Offer?
1st Locate provides a wide range of outsourced services, specialising in secure, ethical debt recovery and customer contact.
All operations are underpinned by its in-house Actius platform, which allows for real-time integration, dynamic pricing, payment processing, and secure customer account handling.
Core Services
| Service Area | Description |
| Debt Resolution | End-to-end debtor communication, recovery, and payment processing |
| Debtor Tracing | Locating ‘gone-aways’ and missing account holders using verified data |
| Data Enhancement | Cleaning and updating customer databases to reduce errors and cost |
| Overflow Support | Providing scalable call centre and back-office support |
| Disaster Recovery | Ensuring business continuity for clients during disruptions |
| Mailing Services | Handling high-volume, secure outbound communication |
| API & Self-Service Portals | Custom data solutions and client-facing portals |
Notably, 1st Locate refrains from any practices that may harass, pressure, or cause undue stress to individuals.
The company’s core values are experience, empathy, and effectiveness, delivering results while protecting the client’s brand and customer trust.
Industry Sectors
- Utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity)
- Telecoms
- Government Departments
- Financial Institutions
- Retail Chains
Overall, 1st Locate (UK) Ltd positions itself as a responsible outsourcing partner, combining advanced technology with ethical practices to deliver effective outcomes across multiple regulated sectors.
What Makes the Company Culture at 1st Locate Unique?
1st Locate has received notable industry recognition for its exceptional workplace culture and people-first approach:
“Proud Winner: Best Company to Work For – Collections & Vulnerability Awards 2025”
At the heart of the business is a culture of empathy and inclusion. From induction to management, the company actively embeds a “people before KPIs” philosophy. This is evident through their Investors in People (IIP) journey:
| Milestone | Achievement |
| 2017 | Achieved IIP Recognition |
| 2021 | Upgraded to IIP Silver |
| 2025 | Awarded IIP Gold Standard |
Daily employee engagement, visible leadership, and innovative initiatives such as company-wide pool competitions help foster team cohesion, wellbeing, and motivation. Staff regularly describe the management as approachable, supportive, and empowering.
How Can Customers Contact 1st Locate (UK) Ltd?
For general business or B2B service enquiries, 1st Locate can be contacted through multiple channels:
| Type | Details |
| General Enquiries | +44 (0)344 543 9000 |
| Sales/Outsourcing Enquiries | Call Dominic Connolly on 0344 543 9002 |
| contact@1stlocate.com | |
| Head Office Address | Apson House, Bullerthorpe Lane, Colton, Leeds, LS15 9JN |
| Website | www.1stlocate.com |
Operating hours are typically aligned with standard UK business times (Monday to Friday, 9:00–17:30), though clients can arrange for customised support schedules through outsourcing agreements.
Why Choose 1st Locate (UK) Ltd?
Businesses seeking a reliable, secure, and ethical outsourcing partner will find in 1st Locate a proven leader in:
- Scalable debt resolution
- Empathetic customer engagement
- High-level data security compliance
- Award-winning workplace culture
- Seamless systems integration via Actius
Whether you are a public sector body, utility provider, or enterprise-level retailer, 1st Locate can help reduce costs, protect your brand, and streamline customer contact operations—without compromising ethics or service quality.
