Bernie Skivington honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

Finance Connect continues its series highlighting the winners of the Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026. Here we celebrate the recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award – Bernie Skivington, Managing Director, Head of Origination & Relationship Management, Banking at the British Business Bank.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual whose career has made a lasting impact on the UK finance industry. This year’s recipient, Bernie Skivington, has spent more than four decades in banking and finance and has played a pivotal role in widening access to funding for UK businesses.

Since joining the British Business Bank at its inception in 2013, Skivington has worked alongside asset finance providers, invoice finance companies, fintechs and specialist lenders to help deliver billions of pounds of funding to smaller businesses across the UK. Central to that success has been his ability to build trusted relationships across the industry, listening to lenders’ needs while helping shape programmes that expand access to finance.

The esteem in which he is held was reflected by the judging panel. As one judge commented: “He has always been passionate in his support of the industry and UK businesses. His priority has always been to provide as much funding as possible. He has been instrumental in shaping the British Business Bank and government schemes. His contribution to providing independent finance companies to ensure that more SMEs get finance has been inspirational. And if that wasn’t enough, he is also a top bloke!”

Edward Peck, Founder and CEO of Finance Connect, said the award recognised both Skivington’s professional achievements and the respect he has earned across the sector.

“Bernie Skivington’s contribution to the UK finance industry has been immense, making him a thoroughly deserving recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Peck. “Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in improving access to finance for UK businesses, particularly through his work in helping non-bank lenders access the British Business Bank’s programmes. What has always stood out is his ability to bring together lenders, policymakers and the Bank around a shared objective, building trusted relationships and earning the respect of the industry along the way, not just its co-operation. His impact will be felt for many years to come.”

Accepting the award, Skivington admitted the recognition came as a complete surprise.

“It was a thrill to attend the Finance Connect Summer Awards and to enjoy seeing the many specialist bank and non-bank lenders, who are also partners with the British Business Bank, receive their awards,” he said.

“But it was also a shock and a tremendous honour and privilege to have received the Lifetime Achievement Award, for which I am truly grateful. My thanks to Edward Peck and the Finance Connect team, but more so to all the colleagues, too many to mention, within the lenders, trade bodies, brokers and others that I’ve had the pleasure and privilege to get to know and to build strong relationships with during the 13-plus years I’ve been with the British Business Bank.”

Reflecting on what has been achieved through those partnerships, he highlighted the collective effort behind the Bank’s success.

“Together, we have delivered billions of pounds of additional lending to small businesses in the UK that might otherwise not have happened,” he said.

Skivington was also keen to recognise the colleagues who have helped build the British Business Bank into the organisation it is today.

“I should also recognise the many capable and talented colleagues I’ve had the pleasure to work with at the British Business Bank,” he said. “The Origination and Relationship Management team I have been so proud to lead, the product and structuring teams that have turned ideas and opportunities into transactions, and not forgetting all the other teams and colleagues who have helped the British Business Bank become the established, recognised and respected institution that it is.”

Looking ahead, he expressed confidence that the close partnerships between the Bank and the specialist finance sector would continue to support UK businesses despite the challenges ahead.

“There will undoubtedly be further challenges and headwinds ahead, but there is no doubt that together we are more than prepared for those,” he said. “Certainly the British Business Bank is geared up and ready to play its part and I will look forward to seeing the lender relationships, existing and new, continue to build and go from strength to strength, playing the vital role they have in financing business growth in the UK.”

Concluding his acceptance speech, Skivington reflected on the principle that has underpinned his career: “The most important thing in my career has always been relationships and people.”

Few individuals have done more to strengthen the relationship between the British Business Bank and the specialist finance community. Through collaboration, trust and a shared commitment to improving access to finance, Bernie Skivington has helped shape an ecosystem that continues to support the growth ambitions of thousands of UK businesses, making him a fitting recipient of the Finance Connect Lifetime Achievement Award 2026.