Rothschild bankers have been tasked with managing the sale of ArrowXL, a logistics company acquired by HSBC from the Barclay family.

The appointment comes as Rothschild seeks a new buyer for ArrowXL, aiming to ensure a payout for HSBC following the administration of the delivery group’s parent company last year.

ArrowXL forms part of the logistics operations established by the Barclay family, who maintain a diverse corporate empire that includes sectors such as hospitality, retail, and media.

The logistics company is being operated through a solvent entity, and its sale is expected to contribute towards repaying a significant debt of £143.5 million owed to HSBC, the principal secured creditor of the insolvent parent company known as Logistics Group Limited.

HSBC appointed administrators to oversee Logistics Group as the Barclay family faced pressures from various lenders regarding its extensive corporate portfolio.

This situation escalated in the summer of 2023 when Lloyds Bank took control of The Telegraph and The Spectator, subsequently putting these media assets up for sale.

In a related development, Yodel, another logistics company taken from the Barclay family, has been sold to InPost, a Polish delivery firm that operates a network of parcel lockers and drop-off locations throughout Europe, along with a home delivery service. InPost, founded by Rafal Brzoska, is poised for expansion in the UK as a result of this acquisition.

Lloyds Bank has long been intent on reclaiming £1.2 billion lent to the Barclay empire. The family previously managed to refinance this debt using support from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan.

The sheikh aimed to convert the debt associated with The Telegraph and The Spectator into equity to gain control over these valued media outlets. However, this plan encountered obstacles when governmental authorities expressed concerns over his influential political role as a deputy prime minister in the United Arab Emirates, a nation criticized for its stance on press freedoms.

Rothschild has refrained from commenting on the matter, while HSBC has not provided a response to inquiries.