"Reinforce our mission to raise standards": what it would mean to win a Financial Reporter Award

The Financial Reporter Awards 2025 are just two days' away, and we can't wait to celebrate all our fantastic finalists and announce our winners at DIECAST in Manchester on 18th June. 

Before we get to that though, we asked our finalists what it would mean to them to take home the trophy in their respective categories. Here's what they had to say...

"This recognition would be a significant milestone for us. It shows that our company values and eagerness to help customers is appreciated. It will spur us on for the years to come."

-     Orchard Financial Advisers Limited, Mortgage Broker of the Year (11-50 employees) finalist

"It would be simply awesome. Personally, you couldn't be anything else but proud of such an achievement, but fundamentally it belongs to my team and I'd make sure they feel part of it."

-     Paul Rawson, Express Mortgages, Short-term Lending Broker of the Year finalist

"Winning this award would be such an honour and a real testament to the passion and hard work I put in every day. It would recognise not just the commitment to excellence in the mortgage industry, but also the behind-the-scenes effort that truly makes a difference for our clients.

"For us as a company, it’s about more than business—it’s about helping people through some of the biggest decisions of their lives. This recognition would show we’re on the right path and would be a proud, morale-boosting moment for our whole team to share with our clients and partners."

-     Emma Sheffield, Staton Mortgage & Protection Specialists, Mortgage Administrator of the Year finalist

"Winning a Financial Reporter Award would mean the world to us. To be recognised for the strides we're making as a lender to improve the mortgage experience would be fantastic."

-     MPowered Mortgages, Mortgage Lender of the Year finalist

"Honestly, it would mean the world to the whole business, to be recognised by our peers for doing the right thing for brokers and clients alike."

-     Michael Craig, Brilliant Solutions, Second Charge Broker of the Year & Mortgage Club of the Year finalist

"To be named a finalist is a great achievement but winning would be a great reward for all the hard work the entire team at British Friendly Society has put in and would prove that small can also mean mighty"

-     Craig Dickinson, British Friendly, Protection Provider of the Year finalist

"Where do I start! What a tricky year it has been for us all in the industry - this last year has been particularly challenging for our small team of four here at Xpress Mortgages, but we got through it as a team and smashed it! 

"We haven't burned the place down, we've exceeded targets, and our customers are all happy, so to win this award would be down to a true team effort."

-     Rachel Lummis, Xpress Mortgages Ltd, Mortgage Broker of the Year (up to 10 employees) finalist

"It would be incredibly humbling for me personally, as well as being a testament to Keystone's dedication and drive to provide the best possible service in an ever-changing and complex market!"

-      James Baldwin, Keystone Property Finance, Underwriter of the Year finalist

"Winning this award would be a huge milestone for me but also the business. I have the best support around me and this would not be possible without the opportunities and the backing of my admin support and the wider team. It will validate the long hours, innovation of new ideas, the integrity I've given to help all of my clients build financial resilience for their families and the self-development journey I have taken to not only develop myself but everyone else around me, within my business but also in other businesses.

"As a business our main goal is to provide the highest level for service for our clients. This can only be achieved by providing the right advice, a personal approach tailored to each individual, as well as always being present and responsive to clients. For my business, it would elevate visibility, strengthen trust, and reinforce our mission to raise standards across the mortgage and protection space."

-     First Mortgage NE, Protection Broker of the Year finalist

"Winning this award would recognise our hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. It would boost our team's morale, giving us even more pride and motivation. Beyond the award, it would validate our efforts and impact in the industry, opening up new opportunities, helping us to build valuable partnerships and attracting potential clients."

-     Scottish Widows, Protection Provider of the Year finalist

"I would be so proud to bring this home for myself and HSBC. It really would make all the tough days worth it and it would mean the absolute world to me personally that my brokers have supported me so much to get me not just to the final but to the win!"

-     Sheree Bennett, HSBC UK, BDM of the Year finalist

"Everything we do at L&C, we do as a team. I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication of every single one of my colleagues, so winning this award would be an incredible achievement, not just for me, but for all of us."

-     Mark Harrington, L&C Mortgages, Business Leader of the Year finalist

"We’ve got an amazing team here at L&C, who are committed to delivering the very best outcomes for our customers. Winning the award would be an incredible recognition of everyone’s hard work and dedication."

-     Lisa Parker, L&C Mortgages, Mortgage Broker of the Year (50+ employees) finalist

"It means the world to us! Despite our continued growth we remain a husband & wife owned family run business at our core with no outside investment or ownership. Showing our team, our family and other aspiring business owners that it is possible to achieve great things!"

-     Lisa Stones, Mortgage 1st, Mortgage Broker of the Year (11-50 employees) finalist

"It would mean so much to us to win this award, to firstly be shortlisted by the judges, but then to be voted for by the mortgage community would be amazing. It would also mean the world to have my work recognised in such a fantastic way."

-     Kate Fuller, MAB Crawley, Adviser of the Year & Mortgage Broker of the Year (up to 10 employees) finalist

"This is a great award to win, so to pick up the accolade would be fantastic."

-     Jayne Shaw, SPF Private Clients, Mortgage Broker of the Year (50+ employees) finalist

"Winning would be an incredible validation of everything we’ve built – from the culture we’ve fostered to the results we’ve delivered. It would reinforce that we’re moving in the right direction, pushing boundaries, and making a real difference. For our team, it would be a massive boost of motivation and pride."

-     Helen Harrison, Santander for Intermediaries, Mortgage Lender of the Year finalist

"I am extremely proud of what I have achieved in my career, but I couldn’t have done it alone. My journey could have looked very different without the unwavering support of Hope Capital, especially our exceptional CEO, Jonathan Sealey.

"As a business we’ve made unbelievable strides over the last couple of years, so to win this award would be absolutely amazing."

-      Kate Cowan, Hope Capital, Business Leader of the Year finalist

See you all on 18th June!