Which Finance Connect Summer Awards category is right for you?

When we began shaping the Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026, our goal was simple: ensure that every part of the finance community has a category that truly represents the work they do.

This year, that ambition has led to the introduction of eight brand-new awards, recognising sectors, specialisms and innovations that have long deserved their moment in the spotlight.

For professionals working in factoring, invoice finance, asset-based lending and receivables finance broking, this is the first time the awards have been structured with categories dedicated specifically to those disciplines. If that’s your area of expertise, we hope you’ll consider entering and sharing your achievements with the wider community.

But the new categories go beyond funding specialisms.

If your organisation is doing something genuinely innovative with AI and data, helping businesses make smarter decisions, or if you’ve gone the extra mile to support SMEs in achieving meaningful growth, there’s now an award designed to recognise exactly that.

Likewise, if you’ve built a brokerage from the ground up in the past five years, or if your team has developed a reputation for exceptional customer service that others benchmark against, the judges want to hear your story.

You can explore the categories, view the judging criteria and submit your entry here:
https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/categories

The 8 new Awards for 2026

Factoring Finance Provider of the Year ★ NEW
Celebrating excellence in factoring solutions that support SME cashflow, stability and confidence through strong service and credit management.

Invoice Finance Provider of the Year ★ NEW
Recognising providers delivering flexible invoice finance solutions with outstanding service, transparency and measurable client benefit.

Asset Based Lending Provider of the Year ★ NEW
Celebrating organisations delivering structured, scalable ABL solutions that support complex funding needs and long-term business growth.

Receivables Finance Broker of the Year ★ NEW
Recognising the leading specialist broker delivering excellence in receivables finance advisory, client advocacy and lender partnership management.

New Entrant Broker of the Year ★ NEW
Celebrating the most impressive new brokerage making an early impact within its first five years.

AI & Data Innovation in Finance ★ NEW
Recognising organisations leveraging artificial intelligence and data in innovative, responsible ways to improve decision-making, lending outcomes and operational performance.

SME Growth Partner of the Year ★ NEW
Celebrating organisations that have gone above and beyond in supporting SMEs through accessible finance, trusted partnerships and measurable business growth impact.

Customer Experience & Service Excellence ★ NEW
Celebrating teams delivering consistently exceptional customer service, transparency and responsiveness, while continuously improving the finance journey for clients and partners.

Entries are now open

All 22 award categories are now open for entries.

To view the full list, read the judging criteria and submit your entry, visit:https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/categories

Entries close on Friday 1 May 2026.

If you’re unsure which category best fits your organisation, the Finance Connect team is happy to help. Simply email evalindsay@finance-connect.com and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Planning to attend on the night?

The Finance Connect Summer Awards 2026 will take place on Tuesday 7 July 2026 at City Central at the HAC in London, promising an evening of celebration with leaders from across the industry.

Tables are already being reserved quickly. If you book before Friday 1 May, you can also take advantage of our early booking discount, saving up to £799 per table.

Secure your table and make sure your team is there to celebrate in style:
https://afcawardsuk.com/2026/en/page/tickets