Arrow Global Group is one of Europe’s largest debt purchasers. Unlike standard debt collectors who work on behalf of creditors, Arrow Global buys debts outright at a fraction of their face value (typically 5-20p per £1). This means they own your debt. When you fell behind on payments to your original creditor (bank, credit card company, utility provider), that creditor sold your debt to Arrow Global. Here’s what matters: Arrow Global are NOT bailiffs. They can’t enter your home or take your belongings.
If you owe £6,000+ across multiple debts, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) can stop Arrow Global immediately and write off the remaining debt after 5-6 years.
Quick answers#
Can Arrow Global send bailiffs? No. They’re debt purchasers, not bailiffs.
Are Arrow Global legitimate? Yes. Arrow Global Group (Company 04203461) was London Stock Exchange listed until 2020, when private equity firm TDR Capital acquired them. They’re FCA-authorised.
Can an IVA stop Arrow Global? Yes. Once approved, they must stop contact.
Who are Arrow Global?#
Arrow Global Group (Company 04203461) is one of Europe’s largest debt purchasers. They were founded in 2006 and listed on the London Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2020, when private equity firm TDR Capital took them private in a £1.4 billion deal.
Company details:
- Registered office: 1 Godwin Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 2ST
- Company number: 04203461
- Ownership: TDR Capital (private equity)
- Subsidiaries: Drydensfairfax Solicitors, Link Financial, Whitestar Asset Solutions
Arrow Global purchases debt portfolios from banks, credit card companies, utilities, and telecoms providers. They pay a fraction of the debt’s face value—typically 5-20p per £1—then collect the full amount from you. This business model means they profit heavily if you pay in full.
How debt purchasing works:
You owed £5,000 to Barclays on a credit card. You fell behind on payments. Barclays tried to recover for 6 months. Barclays sold your £5,000 debt to Arrow Global for £500 (10p per £1). Arrow Global now owns the debt. Arrow Global contacts you demanding £5,000. If you pay the full £5,000, Arrow Global makes £4,500 profit.
Why is Arrow Global contacting me?#
Arrow Global contacts you because they own your debt. They purchased it from your original creditor.
This is why you might not recognise Arrow Global’s name:
You had a credit card with MBNA. You fell behind on payments. MBNA wrote the debt off and sold it to Arrow Global. Arrow Global now owns the debt and is contacting you directly. You think “I don’t owe money to Arrow Global, I owe MBNA”—but MBNA sold the debt, and Arrow Global is now the legal owner.
Who sells debts to Arrow Global:
- High street banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, RBS)
- Credit card companies (MBNA, Capital One, Egg)
- Utility companies (British Gas, npower, Scottish Power)
- Telecoms providers (mobile phones, broadband)
- Catalogue and mail order companies
Check the original debt:
Every Arrow Global letter must state the “original creditor”—the company you originally owed money to. If you’ve never heard of that creditor, or if you believe the debt is wrong, you have the right to dispute it and request proof.
Can Arrow Global send bailiffs?#
No. Arrow Global are debt purchasers, not bailiffs.
They have no legal power to enter your home or take your belongings unless they first obtain a County Court Judgment.
What Arrow Global CAN do:
- Send letters and emails
- Call you (between 8am and 9pm)
- Report the debt to credit reference agencies
- Instruct solicitors (including their subsidiary Drydensfairfax) to take you to court
- Sell the debt to another purchaser
What Arrow Global CANNOT do:
- Force entry to your home
- Enter without your permission
- Take your belongings
- Clamp your vehicle
- Threaten you with immediate bailiff action
- Claim they’ll “seize your goods” without a court order
Can Arrow Global take me to court?#
Yes—and as a major debt purchaser, they’re very likely to pursue court action.
Arrow Global purchased your debt at a huge discount. If they can obtain a County Court Judgment, they can enforce through bailiffs and recover the full amount, making substantial profit.
The legal escalation process:
1. Pre-Action Protocol (30-day warning)
Before Arrow Global can issue a court claim, they must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. They’ll send a formal “Letter of Claim” giving you 30 days to respond.
2. County Court claim
If you don’t respond or arrange payment, Arrow Global will instruct solicitors (often their subsidiary Drydensfairfax Solicitors) to issue a County Court claim. You’ll receive court papers (form N1) at your address.
3. County Court Judgment (CCJ)
If you don’t defend the claim, the court will enter a judgment against you. This is a County Court Judgment (CCJ), which:
- Stays on your credit file for 6 years
- Makes it nearly impossible to get credit, mortgages, or phone contracts
- Allows Arrow Global to enforce through bailiffs
4. Enforcement after a CCJ
Once Arrow Global has a CCJ, they can apply for:
- Attachment of Earnings Order: Your employer deducts money from your wages
- Charging Order: Arrow Global secures the debt against your property (if you’re a homeowner)
- Warrant of Control: The court issues a warrant allowing actual bailiffs to seize goods
Don’t ignore court papers. If you receive a “Claim Form” (form N1), you have 14 days to respond. Ignoring it guarantees a CCJ.
Is the debt really yours?#
Before you pay Arrow Global anything, verify the debt is actually yours.
Request proof under the Consumer Credit Act 1974:
If the debt is a credit agreement (credit card, loan, mobile phone contract), you have the right to request a copy of the original agreement under Section 77 or 78.
Write to Arrow Global:
Arrow Global Group
1 Godwin Street
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD1 2STSay:
“I’m writing regarding account reference [your reference number]. Under Section 77/78 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, I request a true copy of the executed credit agreement for this debt. I also request a full breakdown of how the current balance has been calculated, including proof that you own this debt. I don’t acknowledge this debt until I receive proof.”
Arrow Global has 12 working days to respond. If they can’t provide a valid agreement or proof of assignment (proof they own the debt), they can’t enforce the debt through the courts.
When is a debt statute-barred?
If you haven’t acknowledged a debt or made a payment in 6 years (England/Wales) or 5 years (Scotland), it might be statute-barred.
Statute-barred debts can’t be enforced through the courts. Arrow Global can still ask you to pay, but they can’t take legal action.
Warning: If you make a payment (even £1) or acknowledge the debt in writing, the 6-year clock resets.
Will Arrow Global accept a settlement?#
Yes—and as a debt purchaser, they’re often very willing to settle.
Arrow Global purchased your debt for 5-20p per £1. This means they can accept settlements of 40-70% of the debt value and still make significant profit.
How to negotiate a settlement:
- Don’t offer first. Let Arrow Global tell you what they want.
- Start lower. If they want 70%, offer 40-50%.
- Explain your circumstances. “I’ve been offered help from family, but they can only lend £X.”
- Get it in writing. Never pay until you have written confirmation that the settlement clears the debt in full and that Arrow Global won’t sell the remaining balance to another collector.
- Pay via bank transfer and keep proof of payment.
How to stop Arrow Global with an IVA#
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) is a legally binding agreement between you and all your creditors (including Arrow Global) to repay what you can afford over 5-6 years. At the end, any remaining debt is written off—typically 60-80%.
Why an IVA stops Arrow Global:
Once your IVA is approved, all creditors—including Arrow Global—must:
- Stop contacting you
- Stop legal action
- Freeze interest and charges
- Accept the monthly payment your Insolvency Practitioner distributes
What debts can be included?
All of the debts Arrow Global purchases are unsecured, which means they’re includable in an IVA:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Overdrafts
- Mobile phone contracts
- Catalogue debts
- Store cards
- Utility arrears
To qualify for an IVA, you typically need:
- £6,000+ in unsecured debt
- Two or more creditors
- A regular income (employed or self-employed)
- Spare income after essential bills (usually £80-100/month minimum)
Check if you qualify for an IVA
How to deal with Arrow Global calls#
You have rights:
Request written communication only. You can tell Arrow Global (verbally or in writing) that you only want to be contacted by post. They must comply under FCA rules. This stops the calls.
Don’t admit the debt until you’ve verified it. If you don’t recognise the debt, say: “I need to see proof of this debt in writing, including proof that you own it, before I can discuss it.”
Don’t make a payment just to make them go away. Paying even £1 can restart the statute-barred clock if the debt is over 6 years old.
If you’re vulnerable, tell them. If you have mental health problems, serious illness, disability, or are in crisis, declare this. Arrow Global must follow FCA “Consumer Duty” rules and adjust their approach.
How to complain#
1. Complain directly
Write to:
Arrow Global Group
1 Godwin Street
Bradford
West Yorkshire
BD1 2STInclude your reference number, dates of the issue, what happened, and what you want.
They have 8 weeks to respond.
2. Financial Ombudsman Service
If they don’t respond or you’re not satisfied:
- Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk
- Phone: 0800 023 4567
3. Financial Conduct Authority
If Arrow Global has breached FCA rules:
- Website: www.fca.org.uk/consumers/report-firm
- Phone: 0800 111 6768
If you’re struggling with debt, use our free IVA calculator to see if you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions#
Can Arrow Global send bailiffs?#
No. They’re debt purchasers, not bailiffs. They need a County Court Judgment first.
Are Arrow Global legitimate?#
Yes. Arrow Global Group (Company 04203461) is one of Europe’s largest debt purchasers, owned by TDR Capital since 2020.
Why did Arrow Global buy my debt?#
Your original creditor sold the debt to Arrow Global at a discount (typically 5-20p per £1). Arrow Global now owns the debt and will try to recover the full amount.
Will they take me to court?#
Yes, they can. As a major debt purchaser, Arrow Global is very likely to pursue court action if you don’t pay or arrange a plan.
Can I stop them with an IVA?#
Yes. Check if you qualify
Will they accept a settlement?#
Yes. Arrow Global typically accepts settlements of 40-70% because they purchased the debt at a huge discount. Get agreements in writing.
How long can they chase me?#
6 years in England/Wales, 5 years in Scotland.