"Driving our industry forward": sponsors on what FRA26 means for our industry

The Financial Reporter Awards is always, at its heart, about raising the bar for industry standards across mortgages and financial services.

But why is that so important today?

Some of our sponsors share why they got involved in this year’s Awards, and how they see #FRA26 making a real difference in a crucial time for the mortgage, protection and specialist lending sectors.

Celebrating success to drive progress

Jonathan Stinton, Coventry for Intermediaries, Buy-to-Let Broker of the Year sponsor, stresses that "identifying and showcasing talent and future talent is incredibly important," while Emily Hill, Mortgage Advice Bureau, Protection Provider of the Year sponsor, explains that "the Financial Reporter Awards shine a spotlight on the individuals and businesses driving real progress across our industry."

"They go beyond celebrating success, helping to set clear benchmarks for excellence and inspiring others to raise their game."

"We’re passionate about recognising the hard work, innovation, and commitment that go into delivering great client outcomes. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with the wider industry and celebrate success together. Supporting these awards is another way for us to champion high standards and best practice across the market," Emily continues.

Katharine Gray, Paymentshield, Network of the Year sponsor, also highlights how the Financial Reporter Awards "shine a spotlight on the talent, innovation, and dedication that often happen behind the scenes. They help set benchmarks for excellence, encouraging businesses and individuals to keep raising standards and pushing creative boundaries."

"Most importantly, awards like these celebrate progress, whether that’s in customer experience, product quality, sustainability, or operational excellence," adds Katharine. "They highlight the businesses moving the industry forward, and they inspire others to follow, and for Paymentshield that’s something that we want to be a part of."

"Sponsoring respected industry awards such as these also helps us to build trust with advisers and our industry partners, showing them that we uphold the highest of standards in the work we do." 

Delivering the best for customers

Lisa Parker, L&C Mortgages, Mortgage Lender of the Year sponsor, reinforces that the FRAs "are a brilliant way for us all to recognise and celebrate the outstanding work of our peers right across the industry," but "more importantly, it's a reflection of the commitment we all share to delivering the very best for our customers."

"The broker-lender relationship plays such an important role in our industry."

Lisa adds that L&C is "delighted to be sponsoring the Mortgage Lender of the Year Award this year. It's a fantastic chance for us to champion lenders who are driving our industry forward."

"Celebrating excellence is important," says Paul Hunt, Square 1 Media, Short-Term Lender of the Year sponsor. "Our industry enables people to own their own homes; to realise their property investment ambitions and support SMEs, so it's only fitting to highlight the best across the sector.

"We work with many firms across the industry and know how hard they work, so we'd like to reward the best in our industry," he adds.

Joanne Hollins, Metro Bank, Protection Broker of the Year sponsor, adds that "the Financial Reporter Awards align closely with the values we’re focused on as an organisation, particularly around delivering better customer outcomes and supporting advisers.

"Sponsoring the awards gives us the opportunity to support the wider intermediary community and celebrate the achievements of those making a positive impact. It’s also a chance to be part of an initiative that promotes continuous improvement across the industry, which ultimately benefits customers as well as advisers."

Raising the bar across the country

As the industry changes, so the FRAs adapt; last year, the Awards introduced new categories relating to short-term lending. According to Charlotte Rutter, Roma Finance, Short-Term Lending Broker of the Year sponsor, this comes at a time in the industry when "brokers are choosing to diversify more into the commercial market as the opportunities continue to grow."

"Roma Finance want to be a beacon of support and knowledge and the FRAs allows this awareness to be created," Charlotte continues.

2026 will also see the FRAs’ awards event return to Diecast, Manchester on 9th June, after a hugely successful move back up North in 2025.

This accessibility for those in our industry working across the country is something that several sponsors highlight: "The FRA recognises dedication, drive and success in our industry. It is also the awards servicing the North with the event just down the road from Roma's offices," says Charlotte.

"Awards like the Financial Reporter Awards play an important role in celebrating excellence across the whole industry, not just within London and the South East," adds Timothy Sweetman, Paragon Bank, Legal Services Provider of the Year sponsor. "By being based in the North, the FRA genuinely reflects the breadth and diversity of the UK market, giving proper recognition to regional businesses, brokers and lenders who are just as innovative and influential."

"That regional focus makes the awards more relevant and more representative of how our industry really operates." 

"It also provides a valuable platform to highlight the contribution of specialist lenders like ourselves at Paragon Bank, where our expertise supports brokers and customers across the country, not just in one postcode, Ultimately, the FRAs help raise standards, showcase specialist skills, and reinforce the importance of a truly national financial services industry," he continues.

Timothy describes the FRAs as "closely aligned with our values and the way we do business," saying that "for Paragon Bank, the awards provide a meaningful opportunity to support and engage with the broker community that underpins the success of specialist lending.

"Sponsoring the FRAs allows us to champion professionalism, expertise and customer-focused lending, while also raising awareness of how specialist lenders can add real value for brokers and their clients nationwide."

"It’s a genuine celebration of the people and businesses driving our industry forward, and we’re proud to be part of that."

The Brokers’ Vote for the Financial Reporter Awards 2026 closes on Friday, 15th May. To have your say, or to book your table and learn about sponsorship opportunities, click here to head to our home page.