Summer Awards 2026: tips to get you on the shortlist

The Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026 are set to return this July, marking their fifth year as one of the industry’s most credible and rigorously judged recognition programmes. With nominations now open, firms and individuals across the finance ecosystem are being encouraged to put forward their achievements ahead of the 1 May deadline.

Explore the award categories and submit your entry now at https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/categories

A judging process built on substance

What sets the awards apart is its independent panel of senior industry professionals. Entries are judged entirely on merit – not profile or brand recognition – creating a level playing field for both established players and emerging businesses.

A well-structured, evidence-led submission can therefore stand out regardless of size or reputation.

Broader categories for 2026

The awards span five key areas – Community, Company, Team, Personal Achievement and Planet – covering everything from organisational performance to ESG leadership and individual success.

Entrants can self-nominate across multiple categories, making it possible to showcase achievements across different parts of a business.

What gets you shortlisted

The strongest entries are those that focus on clear, measurable impact rather than broad claims. Judges are looking for:

• Evidence-led submissions with quantifiable results
• Clear outcomes, showing what changed as a result of your work
• Purposeful innovation that solves a real problem
• Relevance and recency, focusing on the last 12 months

In short, this is about demonstrating performance – not promoting it.

Building a winning entry

A concise, structured response is key. The most effective submissions:

• Set the context clearly
• Highlight a small number of strong, evidence-backed examples
• Link achievements to wider industry impact

Tailoring each entry to the specific category – rather than reusing content – can also make a significant difference.

Avoiding common mistakes

Many submissions fall short due to avoidable issues. The most frequent include:

• Choosing the wrong category
• Relying on marketing language instead of evidence
• Leaving entries incomplete or rushing close to the deadline

Entering multiple relevant categories is also encouraged, as strong performance often spans more than one area.

Key dates

Nominations close on 1 May 2026, and entries can be submitted via the official awards platform at https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/categories.

The awards ceremony will take place on 7 July 2026 at City Central at the HAC in London, with tables available to book at https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/tickets.

Why should you enter

Beyond recognition, the awards provide independent validation of achievement in a competitive market. With judging focused on evidence, impact and credibility, they offer a meaningful opportunity to stand out.

For those considering entering, the message is simple: be clear, be concise, and let the results speak for themselves.

For further information, visit the Finance Connect Summer Awards website at https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/home