Trade body’s flagship broker awards returns to recognise excellence
The shortlist for the highly anticipated NACFB Commercial Broker Awards 2025 has officially been announced. Now in its sixth year, the ceremony has cemented its place as one of the industry’s few awards dedicated exclusively to brokers – serving as a valued counterpart to the NACFB’s well-established Commercial Lender Awards.
This year’s competition was fiercer than ever, with a record-breaking 357 applications submitted across 24 categories. A panel of expert judges, each a specialist in their field, meticulously reviewed the entries to determine the shortlist. Submissions were evaluated against clearly defined criteria, focusing on excellence, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to the highest professional standards. To ensure impartiality, submissions were anonymised where appropriate. Categories involving only organisations were anonymised, while those featuring individuals or a mix of individuals and firms were not.
Following this rigorous process, the finalists in each category can now be revealed as:
Asset & Leasing Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- Causon Business Finance
- Claratus Commercial Finance
- Hanna Financial Services
- Hilton Smythe Finance
- KeySME Business Finance
- One Funding t/a One.
- Synergi Finance
- UBT (EU)
Asset & Leasing Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Approved Business Finance
- Bathgate Business Finance
- Bluestone
- Charles & Dean Finance
- Crown Business Finance
- Crystal Business Finance (CBF)
- Halo Corporate Finance
- Moorgate Finance
- PMD Business Finance
- Tower Leasing
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- Advanced Funding Solutions
- Claratus Commercial Finance
- Clever Lending
- Drummond Finance
- Jonathan Smith & Partners
- Newsource
- Philip Meek Commercial
- Signature Specialist Finance
- VIBE Finance
- Word On The Street
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Approved Property Finance
- Aria Finance
- DAS Finance
- Hearthstone Finance
- Real Finance
- SPF Private Clients
Cashflow Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- Choice Business Loans
- Claratus Commercial Finance
- KeySME Business Finance
- MacManus Asset Finance
- Montane Finance
- Rise Funding
- Risecap
- Synergi Finance
Cashflow Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Approved Business Finance
- Halo Corporate Finance
- MHA Financial Solutions
- Millbrook Business Finance
- NexGen Business Finance
- PMD Business Finance
- Shire Professional Funding
- Leonard Curtis
- TSF Finance
Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- Aquilae Capital Advisory
- Beta Commercial Finance
- Clever Lending
- Copper Swan
- DMK Finance
- Icthus Consultants
- Lime Finance Solutions
- Philip Meek Commercial
- Ross Commercial Finance
Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Aria Finance
- Christie Finance
- Leonard Curtis
- Propp
- Rainstone Money
- Think Business Loans
- Watts Commercial Finance
Development Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- Beta Commercial Finance
- Positive Commercial Finance
- Eastgate Commercial Finance
- Finanze
- Q Commercial Finance
- Ross Commercial Finance
- Wharf Financial
- Willow Isle Capital
Development Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Arc & Co.
- Aureum Finance
- Christie Finance
- Mayflower Mortgage and Finance
- Pure Property Finance
- Rainstone Money
- Real Finance
- SPF Private Clients
Invoice Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- DMK Finance
- Evolve Business Finance
- Go-Factor
- KeySME Business Finance
- Open InVoice Finance
- Plutus Business Finance
- Simply Factoring Brokers
Invoice Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Bathgate Business Finance
- Leonard Curtis
- PMD Business Finance
- TSF Finance
Short-term Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers)
- 177 Structured Finance
- Advanced Funding Solutions
- Finanze
- MacManus Asset Finance
- Philip Meek Commercial
- Plutus Business Finance
- VIBE Finance
- Wharf Financial
- Willow Isle Capital
Short-term Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers)
- Arc & Co.
- Aria Finance
- Christie Finance
- Crown Business Finance
- Futurity Finance
- Propp
- Swoop Finance
Unsung Hero of the Year
- Aria Finance – Rob Cooke
- Charles & Dean Finance – Marshall Parr
- Crystal Business Finance (CBF) – Ele Mathieson
- Leonard Curtis – Ellie Woodhouse
- Millbrook Business Finance – Jennifer Rees
- Tower Leasing – Mickaella Johnson
- Watts Commercial Finance – Barbara Curzon
Industry Specialist of the Year
- A T Commercial Finance
- Aecer
- Approved Business Finance
- CFP Group – Kirsten Jakobson
- Crown Business Finance
- Gemstone Legal
- Plutus Business Finance – Declan Burton Clark
- Snowbird Finance
- Swedish Asset Finance
- Tower Leasing
Rising Star of the Year
- Aureum Finance – Kieran Payne
- Beta Commercial Finance – Jacqui Wright
- Canford Specialist Finance – Jenny Gallagher
- Causon Business Finance – Alice Sansome
- Charles & Dean Finance – Kevin Calkiewicz
- Crown Business Finance – Jake Batham
- Hearthstone Finance – Jordanne Whiley MBE
- LDN Finance – David Gissing
- Moorgate Finance – Connor Huntley
- Synergi Finance – Chantelle Chambers
- VIBE Finance – George Sanford
Industry Ambassador of the Year
- Causon Business Finance – Richard Causon
- Go-Factor – Helen Boylett-Smith
- James Murray Finance – James Murray
- Rainstone Money – Foyaz Ahmed
- Rainstone Money – Rahul Modasia
- The UK Adviser Group – Maxim Cohen
- VIBE Finance – Kim McGinley
Commercial Broker Network of the Year
- Commercial Finance Brokers UK
- Fiducia Commercial Network
- Moorgate Broker Network
- Synergy Commercial Finance
- Tower Leasing
- White Rose Finance Group
- Vaughans
Service Excellence Award
- Alpha Asset Finance – Jack Arbon
- BDD Financial Services
- Channel Finance Group
- Claratus Commercial Finance
- Finance 55
- Hearthstone Finance – Ajay Nayyar
- Lime Finance Solutions
- MHA Financial Services
- Plutus Business Finance
- Watts Commercial Finance
- Willow Isle Capital
Pioneering Broker of the Year
- Business Finance Trust
- Clifton Private Finance
- Finanze
- GreenHearth
- Lime Finance Solutions
- Skylark Asset Finance
- Spark Finance
- Tower Leasing
Scottish National Broker of the Year
- DMK Finance
- Drummond Finance
- GO Financial Services
- Kirkwood Asset Finance
- Murray Commercial Finance
- Ross Commercial Finance
- The Lending Channel
Welsh National Broker of the Year
- Business Finance Trust
- Cyllid Cymru Finance
- FFP Solutions
- Lifecycle
- MacManus Asset Finance
- Pure Property Finance
- Sorodo
- Watts Commercial Finance – James Weaver
Northern Irish National Broker of the Year
- Ross Commercial Finance
- RM Commercial Finance
Commenting on the announcement, NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham said: “My congratulations go to all those who were successfully shortlisted. I’d also like to thank every firm that took the time to enter this year’s awards, as well as the judging panel for their dedication to what was undoubtedly a challenging task.”
This year’s judging panel comprised:
Adrian Stalley – Head of Partnerships, Reward Funding
Beth Fisher – Managing Director, Bridging & Commercial
Bob Lefroy – Publisher, Business Money
Edward Peck – Founder, Asset Finance Connect
Frazer Campbell – Co-Founder & Chief Revenue Officer, Brickflow
Gaynor Dykes – Director, British Business Bank
James McGloin – Director of Major Projects, LBB
Jason Hurwitz – Sales Director, NETSOL Technologies
Jennifer Tankard – Principal, Commercial Finance, UK Finance
Jess Bird – Managing Editor, The Intermediary
John Phillipou – Managing Director, SME Lending, Paragon Bank
Josh Harris – CEO, Doc2
Lee Tillcock – Managing Editor, MoneyFacts
Martin McTague – National Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
Mike Conroy – Director, Commercial Finance, UK Finance
Paul Hunt – Managing Director, Square 1 Media
Ray Cohen – Director, Jackson Cohen Associates
Robin Skuse – Editor, Broker World
Simon Goldie – Director of Business Finance & Advocacy, Finance & Leasing Association (FLA)
Stephen Henman – Managing Director, Method Valuation
Stephen Todd – Co-Founder, VAS
Theodora Hadjimichael – CEO, Responsible Finance
Todd Davison – Managing Director, Purbeck
Trevor Williams – Co-Founder, FX Guard; Visiting Professor, University of Derby
Vic Jannels – CEO, Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA)
NACFB lender Patrons and supplier Partners will now be invited to cast their votes for their preferred Member brokers across the relevant award categories. To ensure fairness, each Patron or Partner firm is limited to five votes per category. These votes will be combined with scores from the independent judging panel to determine both the winners and the highly commended entries in each category. An algorithm is then used to calculate the final results, blending judges’ scores with the wider industry vote.
The winners will be revealed at an award ceremony which returns to Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester on the afternoon of Friday 19th September 2025. Guests can expect a welcome drink upon arrival followed by a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment and networking, a delectable three-course meal with wine, and of course, the big reveal. This year, the awards will be presented by comedian Jayde Adams.
“We encourage all entrants to join us for an afternoon dedicated to honouring broking excellence,” added Jim Higginbotham. “This event goes beyond celebrating the winners and finalists – it recognises the outstanding commitment of our entire broker community, whose dedication to supporting SMEs in their quest for finance is truly unmatched.”
Exclusive early bird tickets for NACFB Member brokers are available now at £132 +VAT per person. Tables of 10 are available for group bookings. This offer is valid until Monday 18th August 2025, after which Member tickets will be priced at £195 +VAT. Tickets for NACFB Patron lenders and Partners will be released from 19th August, subject to availability, at £220 +VAT.
For more details and to book your place, please visit commercialbrokerawards.co.uk.