Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026 – shortlist announced

Finance Connect is pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Finance Connect Summer Awards, headline sponsored by NETSOL Technologies.

“The judging process was more competitive than ever, with many categories separated by the narrowest of margins. In several cases, the rankings were incredibly close, reflecting the outstanding standards being achieved across the industry. The strength, innovation and commitment demonstrated by this year’s finalists made selecting the shortlist a real challenge, and we are looking forward to celebrating their achievements in July.”

“Sometimes the most obvious candidates deserving recognition can otherwise get missed. We spent time making sure those who have made the biggest contribution to the industry get a Finance Connect nomination, which the wider judging group can then evaluate.”

“It’s a hugely important moment to stand back and recognise individuals, teams and companies who, despite challenging times, demonstrate real tenacity, innovation and passion for the asset finance industry. It’s the people in our industry who truly make the difference — and this year’s Finance Connect Summer Awards finalists are a testament to that.

“From unique specialism and ESG progress to lifetime achievement, we are seeing organisations and individuals delivering outstanding customer outcomes and driving meaningful change in asset and auto finance. On behalf of NETSOL Technologies, I congratulate all finalists on their well-deserved recognition.”

The winner will be announced at the Finance Connect Summer Awards ceremony and gala dinner on 7 July at City Central, located within the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London.

For more information about the 2026 Finance Connect Summer Awards or to book your table, click here.

Finalists 2026:

Asset Based Lending Finance Provider of the Year 2026

• DF Capital
• IGF Group
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Shire Leasing PLC
• Ultimate Finance

Asset Finance Provider of the Year 2026, sponsored by LTi Technology Solutions

• CHG-MERIDIAN
• Compass Business Finance
• Investec Asset Finance
• Lombard North Central PLC
• Metro Bank Asset Finance
• Novuna Business Finance
• Paragon Bank SME Lending
• Propel Finance
• Simply Asset Finance

Auto Finance Provider of the Year 2026

• CA Auto Finance UK
• Carmoola
• Northridge Finance

Equipment Finance Provider of the Year 2026, sponsored by FIS

• CHG-MERIDIAN
• DF Capital
• DLL
• Econocom
• PEAC Solutions
• Propel Finance
• Shire Leasing PLC
• Tower Leasing Ltd

Factoring Finance Provider of the Year 2026

• Team Factors Ltd
• Time Finance
• Ultimate Finance

Invoice Finance Provider of the Year 2026

• Aldermore Bank
• Apollo Business Finance Ltd
• IGF Group
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Time Finance
• Ultimate Finance

Large Asset Broker of the Year 2026, sponsored by Allica Bank

• Asset Finance Solutions (UK) Ltd
• BTG (Funding and Insurance Division)
• Charles & Dean Finance
• Crown Business Finance
• Moorgate Finance
• T&L Leasing Limited

Receivables Finance Broker of the Year 2026

• Compare Factoring
• Open InVoice Finance
• Redwood Business Finance Ltd

Specialist Asset Broker of the Year 2026, sponsored by Shire Leasing

• Finance Kitchen Asset Management Limited
• Forest Road Finance
• Halo Corporate Finance
• Millbrook Business Finance

AI & Data Innovation in Finance Award 2026, sponsored by Resilient Management Solutions

• DF Capital
• FIS Global
• Nivo
• Paragon
• Simply Asset Finance
• Solifi
• VAMOS
• Verifi Asset Protection Limited
• Zeti Ltd.

Best Auto or Equipment Finance Organisation to Work For 2026, sponsored by Acquis

• Charles & Dean Finance
• Close Brothers Motor Finance (Ireland)
• Lombard North Central Plc
• Metro Bank Asset Finance
• Millbrook Business Finance
• PEAC Solutions
• Renaissance Asset Finance
• Tower Leasing Ltd

Excellence in Technology Award 2026, sponsored by VIP Apps Consulting

• Allica Bank
• Daimler Truck Financial Services Australia
• Forest Horizon (part of AFS Group Holdings)
• Hickman Shearer Ltd
• Lendscape
• NETSOL Technologies
• Propel Finance
• Shire Leasing PLC
• Zoot Solutions

SME Growth Partner of the Year 2026

• AFS Group Holdings Ltd (Asset Finance Solutions & Synergy Commercial Finance)
• Aldermore Bank
• Charles & Dean Finance
• DataGardener
• DF Capital
• Propel Finance
• Simply Asset Finance
• Tower Leasing Ltd
• Ultimate Finance
• United Trust Bank

Outstanding Achievement Award 2026

• Alan Beardsworth, Head of Specialist Broker, Renaissance Asset Finance
• Daniel Gutteridge, Head of Sales, Halo Corporate Finance
• Jennifer Clay, Head of Marketing, Shire Leasing PLC
• Wholesale & Specialist Business Team, Lombard North Central Plc
• Matthew Ellery, Head of Sales, Tower Leasing
• Nova Everidge, Director of Asset Finance, Metro Bank Asset Finance

Rising Star Award 2026

• Callum Burnapp, Senior Account Manager, Crown Business Finance
• Jack Camilatto, Senior Manager, Broker Sales, Arkle Finance Ltd
• Joe Lodge, Team Lead, Charles & Dean
• Jordan Mullan, Sales Support Manager, Team Factors Limited
• Kieran O’Rourke, Regional Sales, CF Corporate Finance Limited
• Leanne Hirons, Commercial Finance Broker, Halo Corporate Finance
• Melanie Jeffs, Marketing Executive, Millbrook Business Finance
• Nathan Meakin, Internal Account Manager – Asset Finance, Oxbury Bank
• Ollie Brown, Business Development Manager, Metro Bank Asset Finance
• Vincent Stevens, Business Development Manager, Allica Bank

Environment, Social and Governance Award 2026

• Capitas Finance Ltd
• CGI
• CHG-MERIDIAN
• DLL Group
• Lombard North Central
• Novuna Business Finance
• Paragon Bank
• Shire Leasing PLC

Customer Experience & Service Excellence Award 2026

• Allica Bank
• Arkle Finance Ltd
• Asset Alliance Group
• Carmoola
• Close Brothers Motor Finance
• DF Capital
• Product & Transaction Management Team, Lombard North Central Plc
• Moorgate Finance
• Renaissance Asset Finance

Excellence in Compliance Award 2026, sponsored by Shoosmiths

• AFS Compliance Ltd
• Arkle Finance Ltd
• Auxiga
• Charles & Dean Finance
• PEAC Solutions
• Propel Finance

In additional to the Finance Connect Awards, the winners of the AFUK50 Annual Survey Awards and the AF Broker 40 Survey Awards, sponsored by Propel Finance, will also be announced.

The winners for all award categories will be announced during the Finance Connect Summer Awards ceremony and gala dinner, headline sponsored by NETSOL Technologies, on July 7th at City Central set within the grounds of the prestigious Honourable Artillery Company in London.

For further information about the event or to book your table now, please visit the Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026 website.