Novuna celebrates triple success at Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026

Finance Connect continues its series highlighting the winners of the Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026. Novuna Business Finance enjoyed one of the standout evenings of the event after winning the Asset Finance Provider of the Year and Lender of the Year awards, while also retaining its position as a Top 5 lender in the 2026 AFUK50 ranking.

Novuna Business Finance was named Asset Finance Provider of the Year, sponsored by LTi Technology Solutions, recognising its commitment to customer outcomes, innovation and market leadership.

The business was also crowned Lender of the Year, sponsored by NETSOL Technologies – the prestigious ‘winner of winners’ award presented to the organisation judged to have demonstrated outstanding performance across the industry during the past year.

For Geoff Maleham, Managing Director of Novuna Business Finance, the accolades are recognition of the people behind the business.

“For the Novuna Business Finance team, these awards are a reflection of the passion, expertise and commitment that colleagues bring every day,” he said. “They recognise the effort that goes into supporting brokers and customers, delivering excellent service and continually improving the way we do business.

“Being recognised by industry peers, while also securing a place in the AFUK50 Top 5 Lenders, gives the team a real sense of pride and demonstrates the impact of their work in helping businesses across the UK grow and invest with confidence.”

Maleham believes the company’s success has been built on maintaining a relentless focus on customers while continuing to invest in technology and people.

“Our success over the past year comes down to a simple focus: putting customers first,” he said. “By combining that mindset with continued investment in digital innovation, technology and our people, we’ve been able to deliver fast, reliable and compliant funding solutions to a diverse customer base.

“We’ve worked hard to maintain high service standards at every step of the customer journey, from initial application through to payout, while staying agile and responsive to our customers’ changing needs. That’s helped us continue delivering the level of service our partners and customers expect from us.”

Robert Taylor, Managing Director of LTi Technology Solutions UK, sponsor of the Asset Finance Provider of the Year award, said:

“Novuna Business Finance exemplifies what it means to scale without losing sight of what matters. Whilst they’ve embraced new technology, they’ve never let it come at the expense of the personal relationships they hold with clients and originators. That balance is genuinely hard to strike, and Novuna do it exceptionally well. Beyond the numbers, their commitment to charity and CSR speaks for itself, as does the care they show for their own employees. It’s this combination of innovation, relevance, and genuine values that makes them such a deserving winner this year.”

As the asset finance market evolves, Maleham says brokers increasingly expect speed, transparency and flexibility.

“Brokers are looking for faster decisions, greater transparency and lenders who are willing to look beyond standard criteria to help get deals over the line,” he explained. “They also value responsive underwriting, clear communication and technology that makes the funding process as simple and efficient as possible.

“That’s why we continue to invest in our relationships with broker partners, providing timely credit decisions, open communication and tools that make it easier to do business with us.”

He added that the company’s own SME research continues to highlight the important role asset finance plays in supporting business growth despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

“Our research shows that many small businesses are seeking funding to support their ambitions, underlining the important role finance can play in helping them move forward. By raising awareness of the benefits of asset finance and combining flexible funding solutions with expert support, we’re helping brokers and SMEs access the funding they need quickly and confidently.”

Technology and AI are becoming increasingly important components of Novuna’s long-term strategy, helping deliver both greater efficiency and an improved customer experience.

“They help us make faster, more informed lending decisions, improve efficiency across the business and deliver a smoother experience throughout the funding journey,” Maleham said.

“We continue to invest heavily in automation, data and intelligent decisioning tools, which are helping us streamline processes, reduce manual effort and respond to customers more quickly. But while technology is a powerful enabler, we believe the best outcomes come from combining those capabilities with the expertise, experience and judgement of our people.”

Looking ahead, Novuna Business Finance plans to continue investing in innovation while remaining firmly focused on customer service.

“Our focus is on continuing to innovate, helping more businesses achieve their growth ambitions, and delivering an outstanding experience for every customer we work with,” Maleham said.

“We’ll keep investing in technology, automation and data-driven capabilities to make the funding process faster, simpler and more efficient for both brokers and SMEs. While we’re excited about embracing new technology and new ways of working, what won’t change is our commitment to providing the high levels of service, expertise and support that our brokers and customers value most.”

Reflecting on the Finance Connect Summer Awards evening, Maleham said the event showcased both the achievements of the industry and the spirit of the occasion.

“The awards were a fantastic opportunity to come together as an industry and celebrate another year of success,” he said. “There was a real buzz in the room throughout the evening as businesses and individuals were recognised for their achievements.

“The evening wasn’t all business, though. The funfair brought something a little different to the event, and our team fully embraced it. From the dodgems and Ferris wheel to simply spending time together outside of work, it helped create a really memorable evening. It was a great chance to celebrate success, have some fun and recognise the hard work and dedication that have gone into the past year.”

Simon Bryant, Head of Wholesale Sales at NETSOL Technologies, sponsor of the Lender of the Year award, added:

“Congratulations to Novuna Business Finance on being named Lender of the Year at the Finance Connect Awards. This recognition reflects their outstanding commitment to delivering customer-focused lending solutions, embracing innovation and maintaining operational excellence in a rapidly evolving market. Their ability to combine digital transformation with exceptional service has set a benchmark for the industry. NETSOL was proud to sponsor this prestigious award and celebrate the achievements of organisations driving the future of finance. Congratulations to the entire Novuna team on this well-earned success.”