CGI named Professional Services Firm of the Year at AFC Summer Awards

At the prestigious 2025 Asset Finance Connect (AFC) Summer Awards, held at the stunning City Central in the grounds of London’s historic Honourable Artillery Company, CGI was named Professional Services Firm of the Year. The award recognises the firm’s outstanding contribution to the asset finance industry, particularly during a year marked by rapid technological change, regulatory shifts, and economic uncertainty.

With over 20 years of sector experience, CGI continues to serve as a trusted, hands-on partner to banks, captives, and independent lenders across Europe. In 2025, its leadership in applied AI, operational transformation, and regulatory insight stood out in a competitive field.

“Winning the AFC Professional Services Firm of the Year Award 2025 is a tremendous honour and a proud milestone for CGI,” said Philip Benke, Director of Consulting Services for Asset Finance,at CGI UK. “It reflects the deep partnerships we’ve cultivated within the asset finance sector, our commitment to delivering measurable outcomes for clients, and our ability to bring innovation, trust, and expertise to every engagement. It’s not just an award; it’s validation of our approach: listening first, co-creating solutions, and always striving to go beyond the expected.”

While CGI’s track record in asset finance spans two decades, 2025 marked a breakthrough in brand visibility and sector-wide impact. As the industry contends with a convergence of challenges including rising costs, regulatory changes, and disruptive technologies, CGI has emerged as a stabilising force, helping organisations de-risk and scale through practical, tested solutions.

Its approach to AI in asset finance is a case in point. CGI isn’t just advising on artificial intelligence; it’s applying it internally to demonstrate what responsible and effective deployment looks like. Over the past year, they have deployed generative AI across all internal functions, including service desk automation, contract analytics, and forecasting; developed responsible AI governance frameworks, aligning with ethical and business outcomes; delivered client-facing AI capabilities across collections, affordability assessment, and credit decisioning.

“When we advise clients, we’re not starting from theory, we’re offering real-world, tested experience. Our internal AI adoption becomes a blueprint that clients can follow, mitigating risk and accelerating outcomes,” Benke added.

CGI also hosted a standout session at the 2025 AFC Summer Conference: “Perfecting POC Prep: Practical Steps to AI Success,” helping attendees understand how to move from pilot projects to full-scale deployment.

Deep operational insight and long-term delivery

One of CGI’s most distinctive assets is its operational experience running a captive finance business. For more than 20 years, CGI has managed the entire IT and operational environment of a leading German automotive captive, giving it insights few consulting firms can match.

This hands-on experience feeds into its renowned project delivery excellence; long-standing client relationships averaging 15+ years; a 9.8/10 average client satisfaction score, reflecting consistent, measurable outcomes; end-to-end engagements across system selection, commission disclosure, data strategy, AI-enabled decisioning, and more.

All of this is powered by the CGI Digital Backbone, an integrated framework combining consulting, data, cloud, AI, service management, and change enablement expertise. This holistic approach allows CGI to scale transformation, embed agility, and de-risk innovation across the client lifecycle.

More than consulting – a true partner in transformation

CGI’s unique value lies in its blend of deep industry understanding, technical excellence, and operational credibility. With US$14 billion in global revenue, a strong UK footprint, and over 80 consultants dedicated to asset, auto, and mobility finance, CGI offers both the scale and the specialisation that clients need in today’s fast-changing landscape.

The firm’s extensive ecosystem experience, spanning Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and major industry platforms like Alfa, Miles, and FIS, means clients benefit from best-in-class tools integrated with sector-specific know-how.

One client summed it up best: “The CGI team went beyond the brief. They helped us see around corners, challenged our thinking, and brought discipline to our roadmap. We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”

Responding to industry challenges with innovation

Reflecting on the past year, Benke acknowledged the challenges the industry has faced, particularly around DCA compliance, legacy system upgrades, and the digital skills gap but also how these hurdles served as catalysts for innovation.

“Our greatest achievement has been supporting the industry through these demanding times,” Benke noted. “From AI-driven enquiry tools to complex data migrations, we’ve helped clients not just adapt but thrive, reinforcing our position not just as a service provider, but as a strategic partner.”

Celebrating the sector

Speaking about the awards evening, Benke described the event as “a brilliant celebration of the industry’s talent and progress. The atmosphere reflected the resilience, collaboration, and forward-thinking spirit that defines the asset finance community. We were proud to be part of it and honoured to be recognised for our contribution.”