Financial Reporter Awards

Nominations are flooding in for the Financial Reporter Awards 2025, and we can't wait to celebrate the best in the industry at Freight Island, Manchester on 18th June.

Last week, we looked at how to boost your compulsory supporting application to give you the best chance of making the shortlist for your category - but what does it mean to become a Financial Reporter Award winner?

Over the summer, we spoke to several of the firms and individuals who claimed victory at last year's awards ceremony about their experience. Here's what they had to say:

Roxanne Barker, Fix My Legals, Best Legal Services Provider Winner 2024

To be recognised in this space was a huge achievement for me and my team and I feel utterly proud of what we have created and how many people we have been able to support. As a result of winning this award, we have been acknowledged by larger brokers in the industry who want to work with us as they feel we are reputable and feel they can trust us with their clients too.

Lea Karasavvas, Prolific Mortgage Finance, Adviser of the Year Winner 2024

What really made the day was to see so many familiar faces at the event and to share that win with them was a great occasion. The application itself was a suggestion from others based on interactions on social media platforms with other brokers and lenders, but I did not expect it to go this far and certainly did not expect to win it up against such strong competition.

Paradigm, Best Mortgage Club Winner 2024

Winning this award was fantastic; it felt immensely gratifying to see our hard work and dedication recognised. The impact has been significant; it has boosted our team’s morale and reinforced our commitment to excellence.

Additionally, it has enhanced our reputation in the industry, opening up new opportunities and strengthening our relationships with clients and partners.

Lee Williams, Saffron for Intermediaries, BDM of the Year Winner 2024

The number of people who came out and voted for me as a finalist was astonishing. I received an amazing response from right across the industry, beyond anything I have experienced before in my career.  Winning the award was a surprise to me as the finalist lineup was full of brilliant BDMs; when they said my name, I was in shock, but then I had a great evening with lots of great people within our industry.  

I was, and still am, beyond proud – although I love what I do, it took a lot of work to get here so it feels like a real badge of honour. 

Family Building Society, Best Later Life Lender Winner 2024

Winning a well-known and respected industry award is always exciting. It boosts morale for the sales team and has a positive impact on the entire business.

Emma Barker, Together, Underwriter of the Year Winner 2024

Attending the awards was brilliant! It was such a great night, and an excellent opportunity to meet all the winners and build new connections.  I applied because someone nominated me - I have never found out who that was, but I am so grateful they did. 

Richard Howells, PRIMIS Mortgage Network, Best Mortgage Network Winner 2024

It means a lot to receive this recognition from Financial Reporter – an important and widely read mortgage publication. I’m so proud of the whole team across PRIMIS who have all contributed to our winning this award.

It’s very gratifying for us as a team to be recognised by the brokers they partner with every day. Being recognised as the best in the industry is a wonderful way to celebrate those partnerships.

Market Harborough Building Society, Best Short-Term Lender Winner 2024

Winning the Best Short-Term Lender Award in 2024 was a real honour, especially as it was voted for by brokers.

Tom White, Connect for Intermediaries, Rising Star Winner 2024

The feeling of winning was honestly incredible, I can only compare it to scoring a winning goal in a cup final, I was just on cloud nine - and not even the sore head the morning after could bring me down! The feeling of recognition in an industry as strong as ours is just amazing and I’m so glad I put in an application. 