"The FRAs feel like the Oscars of our industry": what it means to be a finalist

On Tuesday, 9th June, the finalists of the Financial Reporter Awards will gather together at Diecast in Manchester to celebrate greatness across mortgages and financial services.

Ahead of our awards event, this year’s shortlisted businesses and individuals have shared what it means to them to be a #FRA26 finalist, and how they got here.

Francesca Starkey, Project&co, Rising Star finalist:

Ahead of our awards event, this year’s shortlisted businesses and individuals have shared what it means to them to be a #FRA26 finalist, and how they got here.

"Having only been in the financial services industry for a year and a half after suffering two redundancies, I was genuinely pleased and honoured to be nominated. It was really encouraging to have my work recognised so early in my career after sometimes feeling a bit out of place or insecure, it’s made me feel a lot more confident.

"I called my mum who acted like I had just won an Oscar. She’s my biggest support in everything I do."

Nadine Edwards, NatWest, Mortgage Lender of the Year finalist:

"We applied for the Financial Reporter Awards because they are important and recognise the people, partnerships and behaviours that keep the intermediary market moving forward. They shine a light on those who are making it easier for brokers to take action - by improving processes, sharing insight and raising service standards across the industry.

"We have been nominated for Mortgage Lender of the Year which means a great deal to us. It reflects all the hard work that our teams at NatWest Intermediaries do to support brokers to help their customers fulfil their property ambitions.

"We were delighted and incredibly proud to be named a finalist. It’s always rewarding to see the hard work of our teams recognised, particularly alongside such strong peers in the industry. Being shortlisted reinforces that the steps we’re taking to support brokers and improve their experience are making a meaningful impact."

Simon Ward, Boxed Mortgages Ltd, Protection Broker of the Year finalist:

"The Financial Reporter Awards genuinely feel like the Oscars of our industry. Simply being nominated and recognised alongside so many established and respected firms meant a huge amount to us. It felt like validation that the care, effort, and standards we’ve poured into the business are being seen.

"As a new business, you spend so much time focused on simply doing the best you can for your clients each day that you rarely stop to reflect on what you’ve achieved. More than anything, it gave us confidence that the way we approach our business focusing on relationships, service, and genuinely looking after people is making an impact."

Ruksana Niaz, Manchester Money Ltd, Mortgage Administrator of the Year finalist:

"I applied for the Financial Reporter Awards 2026 because they genuinely recognise the people and businesses that go above and beyond for their clients and contribute positively to the industry. The awards have a fantastic reputation within financial services, and for me it felt like a great opportunity to reflect on the journey so far, celebrate achievements, and be recognised alongside some incredibly talented people in the sector.

"Being nominated by my manager means a huge amount to me personally. It’s special knowing that someone who sees the hard work, long hours, commitment, and day-to-day challenges believes I deserve to be recognised at this level. That support and belief give the nomination even more meaning because it comes from someone who truly understands the effort that goes on behind the scenes. It also gives me a real sense of pride and confidence. Knowing that my work is making a positive impact on clients and the wider business is incredibly rewarding, and being recognised in this way motivates me even more to continue improving and delivering the best possible service.

"Finding out I was a finalist genuinely meant a lot to me. Having won this category last year, there’s always that little bit of pressure and self-expectation, so hearing that I’d been recognised again was an amazing feeling. I honestly felt proud, excited, and really grateful all at the same time. It felt like a real reflection of the hard work, commitment, and care that goes into supporting clients every day.

"One of the best parts was being able to share the news with the people around me, my family, colleagues, manager, clients, and the wider Manchester Money team. So much of what we do is built on relationships and trust, so being recognised again felt rewarding not just personally, but for everyone who has supported me along the way."

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

"The Financial Reporter Awards are especially meaningful because they’re voted for by brokers themselves, truly reflecting the voice of the industry. It’s always a fantastic event with a brilliant atmosphere, and we’re already looking forward to the next one.

"We're over the moon to be finalists in the Mortgage Broker of the Year (50+ employees) and Buy-to-Let Broker of the Year categories this year and can't wait to celebrate with everyone!"

Natalie Schofield, Roma Finance, Short-Term Lender of the Year finalist:

"We applied for the Financial Reporter Awards because they represent the voices that matter most in our industry; brokers. At Roma, we’ve always focused on delivering a strong, consistent experience and building long-term relationships, so it felt like the right opportunity to showcase the work we’ve been doing and the impact it’s had over the past 12 months. Being nominated by brokers means a lot to us as a team. It shows they trust us, especially with their customers, and being recognised in that way is a true reflection of the relationships we’ve built and the level of service we deliver every day.

"We were genuinely delighted. It’s always a proud moment to see the team’s hard work recognised externally, particularly in such a competitive market. It gave everyone a real boost and reinforced that what we’re doing is making a positive impact in the industry."

Hannie Mason, Mortgages with Hannie & Co, Mortgage Broker of the Year (up to 10 employees) finalist:

"I applied because I wanted to put myself and the business forward in a space that recognises doing things differently. I’ve built my brand around being real, relatable, and just helpful, especially for first time buyers who often feel overwhelmed by the whole process. Being nominated felt like a bit of a ‘wow’ moment, if I’m honest. When you’re in the day-to-day of running a business, you don’t always stop to acknowledge how far you’ve come. So to have that external recognition meant a lot, it felt like what I’m building is actually cutting through.

"It’s one thing to apply or be nominated, but to actually make finalist status felt like a real milestone. It gave me a moment to step back and think, okay, this is working. And then of course, I immediately wanted to share it with everyone."

Scottish Widows, Protection Provider of the Year finalist:

"We applied because the FRAs are decided by brokers. If the intermediary community is going to vote, it felt right to put ourselves forward and stand behind the work we’ve been doing to make protection clearer and more supportive from application through to claim.

"It felt like a genuine nod from the market. This year was described as the most competitive yet, with a record number of entries, so being named a finalist is such an achievement. Our reaction was a mix of pride and gratitude. Pride, because protection is all about trust. Gratitude, because the work behind the scenes is not always easy, and it’s great to see it being recognised. This recognition belongs to the teams across proposition, underwriting, claims, operations, distribution and marketing who’ve made the progress possible."

James Rainbird, Truffle Specialist Finance, Short-Term Lending Broker of the Year & Second Charge Broker of the Year finalist:

"We were nominated and it felt so good. We're so appreciative and grateful that someone would go out of their way to nominate us. It makes us feel so appreciated within the industry.

"It's a tough market, but we strive to be better in every single thing we do. A year doesn't go by without trialling and testing new ventures whilst strengthening relationships and brokers so, we were really ecstatic to receive the [finalist] news!"

Hayley Roberts, Foundation, Underwriter of the Year finalist:

"Being nominated, and then shortlisted, was genuinely a proud moment for me. It felt like meaningful recognition from people who understand how much work goes into specialist mortgage underwriting: getting the details right, explaining complex cases clearly, and seeing an application through until it reaches the best possible outcome. More than anything, it gave me a real boost in confidence and reaffirmed that I am on the right track, which has motivated me to keep pushing myself and maintaining high standards.

"Honestly, it was a mix of pride and surprise. Underwriting is often quite a behind-the-scenes role, so to be recognised externally and shortlisted alongside peers in the industry was a great moment. For me, it validated the effort that goes into making consistent, well-judged decisions every day, especially in complex or non-standard cases. It also felt like recognition not just for me, but for the broader team and the way we approach underwriting."

Katherine Stagg, Stagg Mortgage Services, Mortgage Broker of the Year (up to 10 employees) finalist:

"I applied for the Financial Reporter Awards 2026 because I believe in shining a light on the incredible work my team delivers every single day. Stagg Mortgage Services was built on heart, graft, and a genuine commitment to doing right by our clients, and entering the awards felt like the right way to recognise that collective effort. It wasn’t about chasing titles, it was about celebrating the resilience, professionalism, and values that define us as a small but mighty brokerage.

"Being nominated meant more than I can put into words. It was a moment of validation not just for me, but for my whole team, especially after an exceptionally challenging period both personally and professionally. To see our name listed among the best in the industry filled me with pride. It reminded me how far we’ve come, how hard we’ve worked, and how much belief others have in what we’re building at Stagg Mortgage Services.

"Finding out I was a finalist was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. I felt a mix of shock, pride, and genuine emotion. When you pour your heart into your work, support your clients through some of the biggest decisions of their lives, and lead a team that feels like family, you don’t do it expecting recognition, so to be named a finalist felt incredibly special. It was also a moment of reflection.

"I thought about how far Stagg Mortgage Services has come, the challenges we’ve navigated, and the resilience we’ve shown as a team. To see our name alongside some of the best in the industry filled me with gratitude. It reminded me why I do what I do and how powerful it is when your values and your work are truly seen."

Iain Smith, Market Harborough Building Society, Short-Term Lender of the Year finalist:

"It’s been a big year for us as we opened up specialist lending to more brokers than ever before - our teams have achieved something special, and we felt it was worth sharing Being nominated again means a great deal - particularly as the awards are decided by broker votes, making that recognition especially meaningful. It reflects the continued support of the brokers we work with and recognises the consistency of our approach and service in the short-term lending space.

"Our teams were buzzing to hear we’d been named a finalist in the Short-Term Lender of the Year category again. It’s a real testament to their hard work and the strength of the relationships we’ve built with brokers over the last year. It means an awful lot!"

Stephen Harrison, Paragon Bank, Rising Star finalist:

"I was personally nominated from within the Bank, by Louisa Sedgwick and a review team. Having only been with the bank for around 10 months at the time, being recognised for the impact made has proven to be more rewarding than anything else. To be recognised by such esteemed colleagues and peers is incredibly rewarding and reassures me that the steps I'm taking and moves I'm making are the right ones for all stakeholders, whether that's fellow staff, brokers, or the end user - the client!

"It was an incredibly proud moment. Naturally, my mum is still my biggest fan, so I made sure she was first to know.... a celebratory pint or two with those around me followed!"

Loans Warehouse, Second Charge Broker of the Year finalist:

"We’ve been recognised by the Financial Reporter Awards since their inception in 2009, and each year the awards provide a benchmark for Loans Warehouse’s success, reputation, and standing across the wider financial services industry. For us, receiving a nomination is an achievement in itself, reflecting the consistency, innovation, and service standards we strive to deliver year after year.

"However, having been fortunate enough to win on multiple occasions, success now means more than recognition alone. Winning is important because it validates the progress we continue to make as a business, reinforces our position within the industry, and motivates us to keep raising standards for both our partners and customers.

"Our reaction was one of genuine pride and excitement. Being named a finalist in such a competitive industry is a mark of achievement for the entire Loans Warehouse team. Because the Financial Reporter Awards carry such strong credibility within financial services, becoming a finalist feels like recognition from the industry itself. It reflects the hard work, consistency, and dedication shown to the second charge industry that we strive to represent, more than that from adviser support and customer service through to innovation, marketing, and lender relationships.

"After more than 20 years in the industry, it is also rewarding to know that Loans Warehouse continues to evolve, remain relevant, and maintain the high standards that have helped establish us as one of the leading names in the sector."

Laura Smith, Saffron for Intermediaries, BDM of the Year finalist:

"The Financial Reporter Awards are one of the most important awards in the industry, so to even be part of them felt incredibly special. It’s something I’ve been building towards for years throughout my career, from my time as a Telephone BDM through to becoming a field BDM. I’ve worked across software, criteria sourcing, and now lending, which has given me a really broad understanding of the industry and how to genuinely add value to brokers. A huge amount of hard work has gone into getting to this point, so being nominated and then making it through to the finalist stage meant a lot. Knowing that a judging panel recognised the work I’ve put in was something I was really proud of.

"I was really proud. It was one of those moments where you stop and reflect on the journey and the years of work that have gone into it. You spend so much time focusing on the next event, the next meeting, and the next broker conversation that you don’t always take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come. To be recognised as a finalist alongside so many talented people in the industry was a huge honour. And knowing the final result is voted for by brokers makes it even more meaningful, because those are the people I work closely with every day."

Lyndsay Kent, TBK Mortgage Studio, Short-Term Lending Broker of the Year finalist:

"We’re absolutely over the moon to have been named finalists at the Financial Reporter Awards 2026, especially in the Best Short-Term Broker category. For a business like ours, it means everything to be recognised.

"TBK Mortgage Studio was born from two things I’m incredibly passionate about. The first was helping tradesmen and tradeswomen get their foot in the door with property investment. The second was creating a business where hardworking people are genuinely championed and given opportunities to grow.

"Finding out we’d been shortlisted felt surreal. We’ve grown from a team of two to five in a short space of time, all through organic growth, word of mouth and social media. We’ve never paid for leads or marketing. Everything we’ve built has come from relationships, trust, and genuinely caring about the people we help.

"We’re really looking forward to celebrating with everyone!"

Learn more about you can get involved in the Financial Reporter Awards here.