CHG-MERIDIAN celebrates Equipment Finance Provider of the Year success

As part of Finance Connect’s series highlighting the winners of the Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026, we speak to CHG-MERIDIAN, winner of the Equipment Finance Provider of the Year award, sponsored by FIS.

The award recognises a leading UK and/or European business equipment finance provider that delivers exceptional value to customers, partners, employees, investors and the wider community through strong business performance, innovative financing solutions, seamless vendor partnerships and a commitment to sustainability and responsible asset lifecycle management.

For Simon Young, VP Sales, UK & Ireland at CHG-MERIDIAN, the award is recognition of the team’s commitment to delivering long-term value for customers.

“Receiving this award is a fantastic recognition of the work our team has put in,” he said. “Equipment finance is built on long-term relationships and trust, so being recognised by an organisation that represents the industry makes it particularly meaningful.

“For our team, it reflects the dedication shown every day in helping organisations find practical, flexible ways to finance and manage technology, equipment and other business-critical assets. It also recognises the collaborative approach we take with customers, partners and colleagues across the wider CHG-MERIDIAN Group.”

Young believes the company’s success has come from looking beyond finance alone and helping customers manage the full lifecycle of their assets.

“Our success has come from staying focused on what customers actually need rather than simply providing finance,” he explained.

“Organisations are under increasing pressure to modernise technology, manage costs carefully and operate more sustainably. We have continued to support them with solutions that combine financing, technology management and lifecycle services, helping customers plan with greater confidence and gain better visibility over their assets.”

He added that the company’s partnerships and people remain central to its approach.

“Equally important has been the strength of our partnerships and the expertise of our people, who work closely with customers to understand their objectives and deliver solutions that support their long-term strategy.”

As organisations seek greater control over increasingly complex technology estates, customer expectations continue to evolve.

“Customers increasingly expect flexibility, transparency and support throughout the entire lifecycle of their technology and equipment,” Young said.

“We’re seeing growing demand for solutions that simplify asset management, improve reporting and help organisations make more informed investment decisions. In response, we continue to strengthen our lifecycle management capabilities, giving customers greater visibility and control while helping them adapt as their business needs evolve.”

Technology and AI are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting those objectives, although Young believes they should enhance rather than replace personal relationships.

“Our focus is on using technology where it delivers genuine value, whether that’s improving visibility, streamlining processes or providing customers with better data to support decision-making,” he said. “We see AI as an enabler that supports better outcomes rather than an objective in itself, complementing the expertise and personal relationships that remain central to our business.”

Looking ahead, CHG-MERIDIAN plans to continue supporting customers through a combination of financing expertise, technology management and sustainability-focused lifecycle services.

“Over the next 12 months, we’ll continue building on the approach that has served our customers well by providing flexible financing combined with technology and lifecycle management expertise,” Young said.

“As organisations continue to navigate economic pressures, digital transformation and growing sustainability expectations, our priority is to help them make informed investment decisions while retaining the flexibility to adapt as their needs evolve.”

Reflecting on the Finance Connect Summer Awards evening, Young said the event provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate success with customers, partners and peers.

“It was a pleasure to share our success on the night with our trusted ecosystem, making the occasion even more memorable for our team,” he said.

“The Awards Evening was an excellent opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the industry and connect with peers from across the equipment finance community. The Finance Connect team organised a fantastic event, and we’re grateful to everyone involved.”

Commenting on the award, FIS, sponsor of the category, said: “CHG-MERIDIAN’s commitment to delivering flexible financing solutions, combined with its leadership in technology lifecycle management and sustainability, sets it apart in a highly competitive market. Their ability to help customers unlock value through innovative, future-focused equipment finance strategies makes them a truly deserving recipient of this award. On behalf of FIS, we are delighted to congratulate the entire CHG-MERIDIAN team on this well-earned achievement.”