Why we should win:

"At Gemstone, we don’t just give advice - we go on the journey with our clients. As an all-female, close-knit team, we combine expertise with genuine care, building long-lasting relationships based on trust, empathy, and consistency.

Our growth and achievements are a reflection of this approach: from increasing banked income in the past year, to expanding into business protection, to nurturing future talent through apprenticeships and NVQs. We’re proud that our culture of inclusivity has been recognised with awards and nominations, and that our clients continue to recommend us time and again.

We believe people - both clients and our team - come first. Whether it’s face-to-face appointments in our family-friendly office, dedicated support from paraplanners and admin, or monthly wellness initiatives that foster resilience and connection, everything we do is designed to create an exceptional experience.

We hope our industry friends and colleagues see the heart, dedication, and expertise that make Gemstone more than a brokerage! We are a business that cares, delivers, and inspires loyalty every step of the way."

Why we should win:

"Running a brokerage is about far more than arranging mortgages, it’s about building trust, raising standards, and helping people feel confident in one of life’s biggest financial decisions.

Over the past year, our focus has been simple: make mortgage advice more accessible, more human, and more empowering. Through education-led content, community initiatives like The Mortgage Chat Room, and a client-first approach, we’ve helped over 400 people move forward with their property plans while arranging more than £75m in lending.

Alongside growing the business, I’ve also been passionate about giving back to the industry, from supporting professional standards through the Society of Mortgage Professionals to sharing knowledge with the next generation of advisers.

If our work resonates with you and the way you believe this industry should serve clients, your vote would mean the world."

Why we should win:

"Prolific strives to deliver the best it can for its client base, but to also represent the broker community in the wider world of the mortgage sector, by representing the brokers perspective at the Diversity and Inclusivity Financial Forum, on key industry bodies, at roadshows, through educational podcasts (The Mortgage Mingle), through IMLA Roadshows, and supporting the broker welfare as a signatory of the wonderful Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter. We try to help the broker community as an entirety via platforms such as linkedin, by giving back as much as possible through social media, events, mentoring and anything we can. We recognise the broker community should always unite, rather than compete, and this underpins all our successes."

Why we should win:

"Our mission has always been simple: to deliver clear, transparent, no jargan mortgage and protecion advice that leaves every client feeling supported, understood, and well informed.  We build relationships and our amazing cleints. We don’t cut corners; we raise standards. And we don’t just show up when things are easy, we show up when it matters most and getting you the right money at the wrong time for proection claims.

Being recognised by the judges would be an amazing honour, but earning the support of brokers across the intermediary world would mean even more. It would affirm that our commitment to clarity, compassion, and doing the right thing would truly resonates within our industry.

If we’re fortunate enough to reach the finalist stage, your vote wouldn’t just be for us. It would be a vote for correct mortgage and protection practice, genuine care, and a future where clients feel safe, informed, and valued throughout their financial journey.

Thank you for voting for Stagg Mortgage Services, It means the world to all our team."

Why we should win:

"If we make it to the finalists, I want readers to see the heart behind Staton Mortgages. We’re a small, family-run team, but every day we pour our energy, care, and dedication into helping people navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives.

We don’t just process mortgages—we guide, reassure, and support our clients, often going the extra mile when things get complicated. From answering late-night questions to chasing progress on tricky cases, our team is there every step of the way. Our clients often tell us they felt listened to, supported, and truly cared for, and that is what drives us.

Voting for Staton Mortgages means recognising a brokerage that combines expertise, passion, and genuine care, turning what can be a stressful experience into something positive, personal, and unforgettable."

Why we should win:

"At Cleerly, we believe your career choice shouldn't be a barrier to homeownership. We've spent over two decades fighting for fairer lending for contractors, freelancers, and independent professionals. If you value a broker that speaks "plain English," provides consistent updates, and has the expertise to turn a "no" into a "yes," please give us your vote. We’re here to make the complex, clear."

Why we should win:

"Trust. Honesty. Integrity. Values Define Us. 

Our vision has always been to be recognised as the broker of choice, to be the company that industry professionals aspire to join, and that our clients want to use time and again. Achieving this vision necessitates a steadfast commitment to our values, our team and lending partners. 

/ Our Values

Trust. Honesty. Integrity. While we may not be the largest broker in our category, these three words lie at the heart of everything we do at Fitch & Fitch. They embody our vision, values, behaviours, and practices, guiding us in every decision and interaction.

/ Our People

We are a people company. Fitch & Fitch is home to a range of talented people, each bringing their own knowledge and experience to our business. It’s this rich mix of people, personalities and expertise that build the strong client relationships that drive our business forward.

/ Our Commitment

We are more than just a mortgage services company; we are a team committed to integrity and ethical standards. Our reputation is not built on the number of transactions we make, but on the trust and relationships, we build along the way.

/ Our voice

We communicate with empathy and understanding, showing genuine concern for our clients' aspirations. At Fitch & Fitch, we see our clients as partners in a shared journey. Our inclusive, confident, and supportive tone of voice connects us.

Our industry is brimming with hard-working and passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive difference. We hope Fitch & Fitch can be a source of inspiration for others.

Fitch & Fitch."

Why we should win:

"Vote for moneyQuest – we’re more than mortgages, we’re here for our customers. From helping first-time buyers secure their dream homes to supporting those in vulnerable circumstances, every journey is personal. With +20% mortgage applications, +13% completions, 48% repeat business, and 4.9/5 Google Reviews, we deliver expertise with care and trust you can rely on."

Why we should win:

"Mortgage 1st continues to achieve year-on-year growth while staying true to our family-run roots - delivering exceptional service, expert advice and a workplace our team is proud to be part of. In 2025, we achieved record-breaking results across all key metrics and areas of the business, including compliance, service standards, completions and protection conversion. Our integration of AI has enhanced efficiency, enabling our team to focus on what matters most: client relationships and high-quality advice."

Why we should win:

"The mortgage landscape is more complex than ever tighter regulations, shifting rates, layered income assessments, and increasingly sophisticated borrower needs.

At Rainstone Money, we thrive in complexity.

From helping a family secure their first residential mortgage, to structuring multi-million-pound commercial facilities under pressure, we approach every case with discipline, urgency, and integrity.

Our expansion across London, Luton, Bangladesh, and Dubai reflects ambition but our foundation remains unchanged: transparency, accessibility, and long-term relationships.

If you believe Mortgage Broker of the Year should represent expertise across both residential and commercial markets while delivering exceptional results under pressure we would be honoured to receive your vote.

Thank you for your support.

- Rainstone money Team ."

Why we should win:

"First Mortgage (NE) demonstrates that commercial success and a genuine customer-first approach are not mutually exclusive - they are fundamentally linked.

We remove financial barriers by offering completely fee-free advice, only receiving remuneration once our clients have secured their home. Our commitment does not end at application; we provide ongoing support throughout the entire mortgage term, ensuring clients are guided at every stage of their journey.

Our award-winning retention strategy sets us apart. Through monthly Home Reports, better-deal alerts, structured annual reviews, and proactive rate monitoring, we ensure clients are never left on unsuitable products or incorrect loan-to-values. This is not just good service - it is measurable, consistent customer protection.

With over 31,000 five-star reviews, our reputation is built on independently verified customer feedback, not marketing claims. We actively capture client insight through Net Promoter Score surveys and continuously use this data to refine and enhance our service.

We are equally committed to our people. By investing in hybrid working, mental health support, enhanced benefits, and structured career development, we create an environment where advisers feel supported, motivated, and empowered to deliver exceptional outcomes.

In a market where many brokers are retreating from the high street, we are deliberately investing in it. We firmly believe face-to-face advice remains vital, particularly when clients are making life-changing financial decisions. By maintaining and expanding our presence across high street locations in the Northeast and beyond, we ensure accessibility, trust, and personal connection remain at the heart of what we do.

Every location we open is warmly received by our clients, reflecting the continued demand for in-person support. We are proud to consistently achieve five-star reviews across all our branches, reinforcing the quality and impact of our service.

Our collaborative approach with lenders, developers, and insurers allows us to influence positive change across the wider industry, while our continued investment in technology and AI-driven engagement tools ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation.

We deserve to win because we never stand still. We continually evolve, invest, and measure our impact. But above all, we remain relentlessly focused on putting our clients first."

Why we should win:

"If you believe the mortgage industry should be simpler, faster and more transparent, vote for Habito.

We have proven that digital advice does not mean losing the human touch. It means removing friction, cutting response times by 80%, maintaining a 4.9 Trustpilot rating across more than 10,000 reviews and building a culture where advisers genuinely care.

The Monzo deal shows that the future of mortgages lies in integration, accessibility and customer-centric design. We are proud to be leading that change.

We are not just competing in the market. We are raising the standard for it.

If you want to back the broker that is modernising mortgages for millions, vote Habito."

Why we should win:

"Every L&C choice is guided by one principle: doing right by our customers, every time. 

Great value, quality fee-free advice gives access to all. In 2025, we estimate we saved customers more than £33m in broker fees and our pro-active Rate Check service saved over £29m for customers last year– ensuring that no customers pays more than they need to and growing our business volume by 20%."

Why we should win:

"At MAB, we’re committed to helping more prospective homeowners become mortgage-ready earlier and transact sooner. To achieve this, we’ve significantly expanded our customer proposition to support ‘early researchers’ - customers who may still be months or years away from purchasing.

By providing tools, education, and digital engagement regardless of where customers are in their financial journey, we capture valuable insights that allow us to tailor support and deliver timely solutions. 

Our new partnerships with national property portals, credit bureaus and price comparison websites provides extends our reach into many millions of customers that are pre-market where a lot of our investment has been focused. This widens our customer reach positioning MAB as a trusted customer research brand, delivering value long before customers transact while ensuring sustainable lead flow in all market conditions.

MAB’s leadership actively helps shape the future of the industry. We regularly contribute to major industry events, lender and insurer strategy forums and podcasts exploring the evolving role of data and AI in mortgage advice. 

We’re also members of the Open Property Data Association and signatories to Project 28, a voluntary charter uniting industry stakeholders to deliver faster, more certain property transactions.

We’re also committed to building an inclusive, supportive workplace, with recent employee-first initiatives including enhanced parental leave, flexible working and dedicated wellness zones. 

As members of the Diversity & Inclusion in Finance Forum (DIFF), we collaborate with organisations across the sector to share best practice and strengthen diversity within our workforce.

Through the MAB Foundation, we have raised over £500,000 for health, poverty and climate initiatives since its launch three years ago. Customers and advisers are encouraged to nominate local projects, giving our community a direct role in shaping our charitable impact."

Why we should win:

"Ever since we set up in 1997, we have continually raised the bar in everything we do."

Why we should win:

"We are proud to be 5 star google reviewed whole of the market fees free mortgage advisers who are renown for our customer service as a small team of mortgage and protection experts. We ensure our clients mortgage journey is as efficient and smooth as possible providing expert advice from over 150 lenders, over the telephone in the comfort of our clients home. Our team has over 300 years experience and knowledge of the mortgage industry and are known for their ability to successfully help clients who have been previously unsuccessful direct to lenders or via less experienced brokers."

Why we should win:

"I am a normal working mum to two small children (one with Autism) who started Beespoke as a sole adviser. We have built this up now to a team of 6. I put my heart and soul into the business and my clients. Whilst growing the business and managing relationships with our introducers as well as being a mum.
As a young woman I always wanted to have my own white labelled company and I have achieved this. Beespoke ( has a special meaning ) our logo represents this aswell the Manchester working bee. It represents how hard we all work and we are Manchester based :)
Thank you for taking the time to read this."

Why we should win:

"For the past twenty years, BTL has been at the heart of Dynamo's business, and today it still represents around 60% of our total activity. Exceptional customer service is embedded in Dynamo’s culture and our Feefo score of 4.9 out of 5 (as of February 2026) reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence. 

We average 300 BTL mortgage applications per month, working with over 80 lenders, many of whom are BTL specialists. Each month, we actively place business with around 60 of these, demonstrating our commitment to selecting the right product for each client’s unique circumstances.

Dynamo continues to lead the way in the BTL sector, delivering outstanding service and quality advice in a challenging market. Our strong lender relationships, investment in people and technology, and unwavering focus on customer outcomes ensure we remain well-positioned for continued growth. Whether supporting seasoned landlords or guiding new investors, we help our clients navigate the complexities of BTL with confidence and clarity."

Why we should win:

"In an increasingly complex market, L&C aims to combine innovative technology with expert advice – helping our Buy to Let customers stay ahead of rate and criteria changes, while providing clear and practical guidance.

We believe that high quality advice should be fee-free and accessible to all. In 2025, we estimate we saved customers more than £33m in broker fees and our pro-active Rate Check service saved over £29m for customers last year– ensuring that no customers pays more than they need to."

Why we should win:

"At MAB, we believe buy-to-let advice should go far beyond arranging a mortgage. By combining national scale, cutting-edge technology and personalised advice, we’re redefining buy-to-let advice, helping landlords navigate complex lending criteria, manage portfolio decisions and finance improvements that protect long-term property value.

Our approach transforms landlord advice from a single transaction into an ongoing portfolio strategy. By combining data-driven insights, digital tools, and expert adviser support, we help landlords make better decisions about refinancing, investment growth and property improvements.

We also engage landlords earlier in their investment journey, supporting those researching their first buy-to-let purchase, as well as experienced landlords seeking to optimise their holdings.

Through digital tools, education, and proactive monitoring, landlords gain valuable insights into their portfolio performance, property values, and borrowing opportunities.

Our partnerships with major lettings providers allow us to reach landlords earlier and support property investors at scale. At the same time, our collaborations with national property platforms, credit bureaus, and comparison websites extend our reach to millions of homeowners exploring refinancing opportunities.

In 2025, our protection advice delivered meaningful outcomes for thousands of customers. Our customers received over £100m in successful claims, compared with £70m in 2024, supporting 1,724 families during difficult life events. 

We command 18% of the income protection (IP) market (up from 16% last year) and 35% of the entire intermediary protection market, making us the number one IP distributor in the UK. This helped drive 47,000 income protection policies in 2025, compared with 41,000 in 2024.

Alongside innovation in advice delivery, MAB’s leadership actively contributes to shaping the future of the property and mortgage industry. We regularly participate in major industry events, lender strategy forums, and podcasts exploring the evolving role of technology and data within mortgage advice.

We’re also members of the Open Property Data Association and signatories to Project 28, working with industry partners to deliver faster and more certain property transactions.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace culture, with employee-first initiatives including enhanced parental leave, flexible working and dedicated wellness zones. As members of the Diversity & Inclusion in Finance Forum (DIFF), we collaborate with organisations across the sector to strengthen diversity and inclusion within financial services.

Through the MAB Foundation, we have raised over £500,000 for health, poverty and climate initiatives since its launch three years ago. Customers and advisers are encouraged to nominate local projects, giving our community a direct role in shaping our charitable impact."

Why we should win:

"We take immense pride in delivering exceptional customer service, and our online reviews reflect this commitment—over 370 five-star reviews on Trustpilot and more than 170 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating.
Charity is also at the heart of everything we do. Through events held throughout the year, we have raised tens of thousands of pounds for worthwhile causes. Planning for our 2026 fundraising events is already underway, and we are proud to be supporting the fantastic cause, Cots for Tots."

Why we should win:

"Halo Corporate Finance deserves to win because what began in Horsham with a small, dedicated team has grown into a nationally recognised finance brokerage, now operating from two offices (Horsham and Northampton) with a team of over 75+ dedicated brokers and admin staff. As one of the UK’s leading partners in business finance, Halo has helped more than 22,000 businesses secure funding, partnering with 130+ lenders, facilitating over £1bn in funding - a testament to the firm’s expertise, commitment, and trusted reputation in the industry. 

As a multi-award-winning financial broker, Halo works with UK businesses across all sectors, but more often supports limited companies, LLP’s and community trusts to build long-term relationships built on expertise and trust. 

Stuart Sterling, Director, said: “What has driven our growth over the past two decades is a clear focus on delivering results for our clients. We’ve built a strong internal culture that values accountability, commercial thinking, and long-term relationships. Our team understands the funding landscape inside out and uses that knowledge to create real value for the businesses we support.”

Halo's commitment to finding the best solution for every client is demonstrated by its vast network, placing funding with 50-60 different lenders monthly and over 100 throughout the year. This approach ensures clients receive tailored solutions, which sets Halo apart financially.

Furthermore, Halo deserves to win this award is its incredible turnover growth and profit. Over the last 20 years, Halo has seen steady growth across the business, but growth has accelerated rapidly since 2021 and the post-pandemic period.  In the last three years, Halo has invested in the business by employing new staff members with different skillsets and backgrounds to help facilitate workload, as well as adopting new systems, all of which have resulted in turnover growth (mentioned above)."

Why we should win:

"We believe we should win because we go far beyond traditional mortgage advice to genuinely support customers through some of the most complex financial decisions of their lives. We specialise in self-build, renovation and development finance, combining deep technical expertise with clear, honest guidance that removes stress and uncertainty. Our clients benefit from exclusive lender relationships, cost-saving solutions and a highly personal, hands-on service that stays with them from initial planning through to completion. We pride ourselves on finding solutions where others can’t, delivering real savings, smoother progress and outstanding outcomes — every single time"

Why we should win:

"The property market isn’t what it was ten years ago. Unfortunately, uncertainty with rates have changed how deals are structured, large institutions are buying property aggressively, there’s far less room for error and there are many new regulations. For developers and investors, especially the smaller ones, this applies a lot of pressure. They've only been able to survive by adapting and working harder to complete great projects.

Many people we work with don’t have big teams behind them. They’re making financial decisions themselves so working with a brokerage that understands the current market is essential. As a team we bring over 50 years and multiple 9 figures of combined funding experience, but more importantly our work goes beyond just finding a lender. For example, we challenge down valuation cases, work with solicitors on legal complications and we’ve faced pretty much every challenge that can derail a deal. We know exactly how to get our clients projects funded. We also stay involved throughout the entire process and beyond which is why we've maintained our 5 star google rating.

We have 3 core values:

- Trust
- Knowledge
- Communication

These are all very true and finely tuned to not just be an outburst of buzz words, but our Director's accumulation of 25 years of experience really highlighting what is important to move the needle in the right direction.

Winning this award would acknowledge the work we do in helping clients achieve their goals and continue with their ambitious projects. It would be a recognition of the responsibility we carry when structuring finance and supporting developers and investors throughout their journey.

Our mission is greater than just personal gain. It is primarily to support the housing market and help be an integral part of the solving the affordable housing crisis. This is why we also make more content to share with the wider industry and those that want to partake in the industry as a whole.

Finally, the investors and developers we work with are largely full time or part time aiming to build generational wealth for their loved ones. It’s really hard to do the complex cases. Lots of push back, rejection and people saying no constantly. But with our passion, experience, holistic approach and overall feedback we have had to date, we feel we are fast becoming an industry staple and any recognition only boosts our enthusiasm to keep doing more."

Why we should win:

"Ever since we set up in 1997, we have continually raised the bar in everything we do."

Why we should win:

"Aria Finance are deserving winners because we consistently deliver where others hesitate. Over the past year, we have demonstrated our ability to scale rapidly without sacrificing service while maintaining exceptional client satisfaction and operational discipline.
Our work spans the full breadth of short-term lending, from protecting vulnerable homeowners facing repossession, to structuring multi-million-pound facilities for high-net-worth investors and complex commercial developments. Whether completing an urgent residential bridge in 11 days, enabling a £173.5m GDV redevelopment strategy, or delivering a £31m bespoke facility on a listed Edinburgh site, our expertise lies in solving problems under pressure.
Crucially, our service extends beyond completion. We remain actively involved, supporting clients through exits, refinancing and long-term planning to ensure sustainable outcomes. This combination of speed, care and technical excellence is why borrowers, brokers and lenders trust Aria Finance."

Why we should win:

"We should win this award because we have consistently demonstrated our passion and expertise in short-term finance. Whether regulated or unregulated, our brokers deliver tailored advice built around each client’s needs. We don’t just provide rates—we deliver solutions that genuinely make a difference."

Why we should win:

"Prime Property Finance was built to support brokers and property investors when deals become complex.

Most advisers will encounter situations where a case moves outside standard lending, bridging, development, unusual property types or time-sensitive transactions. Our role is to step in as a specialist partner, helping structure those deals properly while allowing the introducing broker to retain their client relationship.

Over the last year we’ve also focused on building tools and platforms, including Flow and Pintech, to make specialist property finance easier to navigate for brokers and investors. Our aim is simple: combine experience, technology and collaboration to solve problems that others might walk away from.

If you believe specialist brokers should work together rather than compete, and that complex property deals deserve the right expertise behind them, we’d really value your support."

Why we should win:

"TBK Mortgage Studio has built its reputation on bridging and refurbishment finance by combining technical expertise with hands-on, personalised support. We guide first-time and experienced investors through every step from planning refurbishment schedules to securing short-term finance, treating every project as if it were our own.
Our business grows entirely through client referrals and local presence. Investors trust us not just as brokers, but as partners in their projects. We visit sites, advise on timelines, and provide practical, proactive guidance, ensuring clients feel supported, confident, and equipped to make informed decisions.

Winning this award would recognise a team committed to education, integrity, and exceptional results, reflecting the long-term relationships we build with clients and the organic growth achieved through care, expertise, and relentless dedication."

Why we should win:

"At Truffle Specialist Finance, everything we do is centered around delivering the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether someone needs funding quickly, has a complex case, or simply wants clear and honest advice, our team works tirelessly to find the right solution.

Over the past year we’ve grown as a business, strengthened our team, and continued to build strong relationships with lenders and partners. But what we’re most proud of is the feedback from our clients, who consistently highlight our speed, communication and dedication to getting deals done.

If you believe in businesses that genuinely put their customers first and go the extra mile to deliver results, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote."

Why we should win:

"Second charge lending has become an increasingly important solution for homeowners seeking flexibility in a challenging mortgage environment. At Aria Finance, we are committed to making these solutions accessible, efficient and transparent for brokers and borrowers alike.
Our results demonstrate the strength of our approach. In the past year alone, we delivered over £34 million in second charge lending across 488 cases, achieving a 76% conversion rate and a market-leading 10-day average turnaround. These outcomes reflect not only strong lender relationships but also the expertise and dedication of our team.
We believe great service is built on people as much as process. Our dual-expert model ensures every client benefits from both advisory guidance and underwriting expertise, while our internal academy continues to develop the next generation of specialist lending professionals.
Innovation also plays a vital role. From flexible fee structures to streamlined digital processes, we continually refine how we operate to remove friction and make secured lending easier for brokers to recommend.
Above all, our focus remains on delivering the best possible outcomes for clients. This commitment has resulted in a 5-star Feefo rating, gold and platinum service awards, and zero complaints in 2025.
Aria Finance combines expertise, innovation and client-first thinking to deliver exceptional results in second charge lending, making us a deserving winner of Second Charge Broker of the Year."

Why we should win:

"Believe loans, Based in Doncaster is the UKs Leading Specialist Broker for second charge mortgages, renowned for delivering exceptional customer outcomes and innovative solutions. With Expert advisers consistently going beyond to find tailored finance options for clients, including those with complex or challenging circumstances, we ensure no one is left without a solution. With a track record of high growth, outstanding customer satisfaction and multiple industry accolades. Believe Loans Combines Market-leading expertise, personalized service and a relentless commitment to excellence, making us truly deserving as a winner of Second charge Mortgage broker."

Why we should win:

"For 20 years, Loans Warehouse has been a trusted name in second charge lending, built on one thing: delivering the highest standard of service, every time. We’re proud to be the longest-serving brand in the sector, supporting brokers with expert case packaging, clear communication and a relentless focus on getting the right outcome for every customer. If you value experience, reliability and a team that genuinely goes the extra mile — we’d be honoured to have your vote."

Why we should win:

"As a broker, we offer a comprehensive service, supporting customers and introducers across secured loans, mortgages, bridging finance, and commercial lending. Our diversity of products, combined with our in-house packaging facility for introducers, allows us to deliver a seamless and efficient experience from start to finish.
What really sets us apart from our peers is our longevity. With over 53 years in the industry, we are proud to be the only master broker with such a long and established track record  and we are still going strong. This history reflects our stability, expertise, and ability to evolve with the market.
Our advisors are highly skilled and knowledgeable, uniquely able to both provide tailored advice and package cases themselves. This end-to-end ownership helps speed up processing, improve quality, and ensure better outcomes for customers and partners alike.
Our dedication to customers is reflected in our strong Trustpilot reviews and the loyalty of our people. We have an exceptionally long average length of service across our teams, demonstrating a positive culture where we listen to our staff, invest in their development, and encourage them to play an active role in shaping the company’s future.
Together, our experience, breadth of offering, skilled people, and customer-first approach are what truly make us stand out in the market."

Why we should win:

"At Truffle Specialist Finance, everything we do is centered around delivering the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether someone needs funding quickly, has a complex case, or simply wants clear and honest advice, our team works tirelessly to find the right solution.

Over the past year we’ve grown as a business, strengthened our team, and continued to build strong relationships with lenders and partners. But what we’re most proud of is the feedback from our clients, who consistently highlight our speed, communication and dedication to getting deals done.

If you believe in businesses that genuinely put their customers first and go the extra mile to deliver results, we’d be incredibly grateful for your vote."

Why we should win:

"Access FS merits the Best Protection Broker award because of our targeted support for advisers through training digital tools, product expansion and inclusive practices - all of which have produced substantial increases in the amount of protection business we are writing as well as client loyalty - despite market challenges. These practical steps have not only helped drive up policy volumes, they have accelerated adviser development and transformed access to quality protection for clients who are traditionally underserved in the marketplace.  We are achieving clear, measurable progress while prioritising adviser success and client protection needs.  Your vote would recognise a firm focused on sustainable results, diversity and real industry contribution."

Why we should win:

"Protection is about real people, real lives, and being there when it matters most. We don’t believe in treating it as a tick-box or an afterthought. Every client we work with is supported to understand their cover properly, review it as life changes, and know they have someone in their corner if the worst happens.

Our business has grown through trust, long-term relationships, and recommendations from clients who value care over sales. If you believe protection advice should be clear, personal, and genuinely life-changing, we’d be honoured to have your vote."

Why we should win:

"Protection is not an add-on at Mortgage 1st, it is embedded at the heart of our advice model, culture and growth strategy. We combine technology, including AI-driven engagement, with genuine human care, removing administrative burden so advisers can focus on meaningful client conversations.

As a family-run business, we remain grounded in our values while continuing to scale and innovate. Ultimately, what sets Mortgage 1st apart is our ability to consistently deliver high-quality, client-first protection advice, ensuring customers are properly protected when it matters most."

Why we should win:

"Pure Protect has consistently demonstrated how a relationship-led, ethical approach to protection drives sustainable business growth. By combining flexible support for advisers, innovative tools, and a robust client review processes, we've strengthened partner trust, improved client retention, and enhanced overall service standards across the network.

Our 22% growth, team expansion, and millions returned to clients via claims supports and reflects a measurable impact. Pure Protect is not only delivering outstanding results but also setting benchmarks in service quality, compliance, and collaboration within the mortgage protection sector."

Why we should win:

"I'd like to think I am considered for this award because of my passion and drive to educate everyone around me about protection. I pride myself on my honest and balanced advice as well as detailed knowledge of products and a genuine interest in the medical side of the job. I am a straight talking empath who wants every client to walk away protected and knowing exactly what they are paying for or fully informed and satisfied with the advice they have received."

Why we should win:

"At British Friendly, we believe great protection is about more than a policy - it’s about people. We support members when life takes an unexpected turn, delivering dependable outcomes with genuine care.

Over the past year we’ve strengthened our service, reduced claims decision times, expanded our wellbeing offering and continued to provide the one to one support advisers rely on.

As a mutual, our focus is always on long term value for our members and doing the right thing not just for today, but for the life of the policy."

Why we should win:

"At Guardian, we’ve always believed that the protection industry moves forward when someone is willing to challenge what “good” looks like. Over the past year, we’ve continued to do exactly that, pushing the market to raise its standards, improving the tools advisers use, and refining products and service in ways that makes protection clearer and easier for customers.

We’re proud to be known as a challenger brand with a purpose. Our focus on customer experience led to major improvements to our MyGuardian customer portal, helping people stay engaged with their cover and giving advisers better support for ongoing reviews - with matching adviser dashboard upgrades that followed. We’ve also kept friction to a minimum: more than 75% of customers now receive instant decisions, with fast, predictable turnaround times for the small number who need underwriting. 

We also delivered our most significant cover upgrade yet in 2025, making our definitions clearer, stronger and more inclusive by extending children’s cover to partners’ children and introducing easy to use tools like the cover upgrade promise checker. These improvements show our commitment to always raising the bar, not just keeping pace with industry trends.

Behind all of this is what really sets Guardian apart: we’re 100% protection focused with a clear mission to do protection better. Innovation isn’t occasional for us, it’s part of everything we do. We challenge, simplify, and design around real adviser and customer needs. It’s earned us a reputation for being bold, collaborative and genuinely committed to improving customer outcomes. 

If we’re fortunate enough to reach the finalist stage, we’d really appreicate your support."

Why we should win:

"Over the past year, we’ve focused on making a tangible difference for advisers and their clients, not through words or promises, but through the way we operate every day. We believe protection should be easier to advise on, fairer for customers, and dependable when it matters most.

Protection isn’t just what we provide, it’s how we show up.
• We’ve reshaped our business around advisers, not products, making L&G easier to deal with, more consistent, and more accountable where it matters most.
• Every investment we’ve made this year has been driven by one goal: better outcomes for advisers and their clients, especially at life’s most critical moments.

‘Intermediary designed’ isn’t a slogan, it’s how we operate.
• From restructuring our sales model to expanding face‑to‑face support, we’ve prioritised real relationships over transactional coverage.
• Our Market Development team continues to raise standards across the sector, supporting tens of thousands of advisers with practical, skills‑based training that turns knowledge into action.

Innovation only counts if it genuinely helps people.
• We’ve invested heavily in technology, data and AI to remove friction, speed up journeys and make protection simpler, not more complex.
• Digitised claims, smarter self‑serve tools and real‑time visibility mean advisers stay informed and customers get answers faster, when they need them most.

Protection should be fair, flexible and grounded in real life.
• We’ve enhanced products to reflect how people actually live and work, from longer quote validity to income safeguards that protect customers if circumstances change.
• Our claims improvements aren’t just digital upgrades, they’re about reassurance, transparency and speed at the point of need.

Leadership in protection means responsibility beyond today’s market.
• Through initiatives like Insight Week, our flagship social mobility initiative for 16 to 18-year-olds from low socio-economic backgrounds, we’re actively widening access to financial services and investing in the future of the industry.
• By celebrating advisers who go above and beyond, we’re championing professionalism and the true value of advice."

Why we should win:

"We combine innovation, accessibility and adviser partnership to help you protect more clients.
We focus on solving real adviser challenges. Our application journey is now around 60% faster, with 65% straight-through processing, simplified underwriting questions and same-day decisions for manually underwritten cases. We have also broadened our underwriting criteria, allowing advisers to place cases for clients who may otherwise struggle to access cover, including those with higher BMIs, diabetes or non-traditional occupations.
Our product innovation has also helped advisers reach more clients. Enhancements such as Friendly Shield with optional sickness cover, alongside added-value services including Friendly Health and Friendly Dentist+, provide flexible and affordable protection solutions that meet modern consumer needs.
Most importantly, protection must deliver when it matters. Our strong claims outcomes and claims NPS of 61 demonstrate the quality of support we provide members when they need us most.
National Friendly is not just growing, we are expanding access to protection, supporting advisers and helping close the protection gap. If you believe protection should be innovative, inclusive and easy to do business with, we would be honoured to have your vote."

Why we should win:

"Protection is about trust.

At Scottish Widows, we work hard to earn that trust every day by paying claims, supporting customers through illness and loss, and helping advisers do the right thing for their clients.

Over the past year, we’ve focused on making protection simpler, fairer and more supportive, with strong products, inclusive underwriting and care that goes beyond a payout. Whether it’s being there at claim, offering help through Scottish Widows Care, or supporting better conversations through insight and education, our aim is always the same: to help people feel more secure when life doesn’t go to plan.

If that’s the kind of protection provider you value, we’d be honoured to have your support."

Why we should win:

"Why We Should Win

If we’re fortunate enough to make the finalist list, we’d simply ask brokers one question:

Has this business genuinely helped you perform better this year?

In a turbulent market, we didn’t chase noise — we focused on being useful.

We improved pricing discipline.
We strengthened renewal performance.
We simplified processes.
We had honest conversations about conversion, margin and sustainable income.
And we stood shoulder to shoulder with our partners when market conditions were tough.

We believe insurance should never feel like an afterthought to advisers. It should be embedded, understood, and commercially rewarding — without adding complexity or pressure.

We’ve aimed to be the partner that answers the phone, fixes problems quickly, provides clarity when margins tighten, and supports growth when opportunities emerge.

If brokers believe we’ve helped them:

Protect more clients

Earn more sustainably

Operate more efficiently

And navigate change with confidence

… then we would be incredibly proud to earn their vote.

Because for us, success isn’t measured by awards alone —
it’s measured by whether our partners trust us to help them win."

Why we should win:

"At LV= General Insurance (LV= GI), we don’t just provide insurance — we provide confidence, support and excellent service. By combining technology, home insurance expertise, and a focus on customer needs, we’re proud to be a partner that advisers and their clients can rely on. This commitment to excellence is why we believe we deserve to be recognised as the General Insurance Provider of the year."

Why we should win:

"At Nest, everything we do is designed to support brokers to make the most out of General Insurance.

We understand that brokers need more than just a referral process; they need competitive products, options for increasing non-standard and complex risks and a responsive partner who is going to take care of their client.

Our business is built around delivering a straightforward solution with integrity, that's why we have built a unique platform that offers complete transparency and is backed by a passionate team of GI experts.

We would be honoured to be recognised for this award."

Why we should win:

"Our mission is to ensure every home is protected with high quality general insurance;  we achieve this by pairing strong, reliable products with technology designed specifically for advisers. 

By building our Adviser Hub around adviser needs, we’re able to help streamline the process of selling GI by saving time, reducing friction, and enabling advisers to focus more on meaningful client conversations. 

Our technology and support not only simplify the task of generating accurate home insurance quotes but also expands advisers’ capacity to deliver a more personalised, tailored,  value adding service to every customer."

Why we should win:

"We’ve fundamentally changed how insurance is delivered within the mortgage journey, not just how it’s sold. By combining embedded capability with adviser flexibility, we’ve made insurance more consistent, easier to offer and more effective for partners and their customers. The result is stronger conversion, better protection outcomes and greater control for advisers, lenders and networks. Conversion rates are significantly outperforming market averages, driving growing adoption across UK banks, building societies and financial affinity partners. We’ve shown what’s possible when a GI provider integrates fully into partner businesses and operates as a true business partner."

Why we should win:

"Conveybuddy was built with one clear purpose: to give brokers a conveyancing partner they can trust.

We know what’s at stake when you recommend a solicitor. Your reputation. Your client relationship. Your future referrals.

That’s why we focus on the things that truly matters, genuine all-inclusive pricing with no hidden extras, responsive support when cases become challenging, and technology that makes your job easier, not more complicated.

Over the last year, more brokers have joined us and many have come through recommendations from other advisers. That tells us we’re delivering where it counts.

If you believe brokers deserve transparency, proper support and a panel manager that listens and acts on feedback, we would value your vote.

We’re not trying to be the loudest in the market. We’re working to be the most trusted.

If we’ve supported you, protected your client relationship, or simply made your life easier,  we’d be proud to have your backing."

Why we should win:

"At Fix My Legals, we take ownership of the part of the process that causes the most stress. We keep transactions moving, keep clients informed, and give brokers confidence that their deal will reach the finish line.

Behind every case is someone’s home, and we never lose sight of that."

Why we should win:

"In a market where time is critical, reputations are built on reliability, and lenders need legal partners who understand their business as well as the law, Lightfoots Solicitors stands apart.

We have spent over 25 years becoming genuinely expert in the world of specialist lending, not as a sideline, but as a core specialism. Our team is always available, always approachable, and always looking for ways to make complex transactions simpler and faster. Brokers know that when Lightfoots is acting, their clients will be looked after. Lenders know their security is in safe hands. And borrowers, as our Trustpilot reviews consistently confirm, feel genuinely supported throughout what can be a stressful process.

We are not just a law firm that serves lenders. We are a partner that lenders rely on for speed, for expertise, for integrity, and for the kind of commercial thinking that keeps deals moving and relationships strong.

If you value a legal team that delivers results, champions its people, takes its responsibilities to the environment and community seriously, then Lightfoots Solicitors is your choice for Legal Services Provider of the Year."

Why we should win:

"Simplify is the UK’s leading independent conveyancing and property services group, bringing together six conveyancing firms, the UK’s leading direct‑to‑consumer conveyancer, a market‑leading property services business and a national panel of more than 200 firms. 

We focus on making moving easier. Over the past year, we reduced repeated ID and AML checks to a single digital step, helping remove delays for customers and intermediaries.  We kept service consistent at scale, with all our brands rated Excellent on Trustpilot and more than 7,000 new five‑star reviews. We also strengthened industry capacity by hiring 150 new conveyancers, including more than 70 trainees, at a time when conveyancer numbers have declined across the market.

Our aim is simple: make each stage of the home‑moving process clearer, faster and more predictable for everyone involved.

If this reflects what you want to see in the sector, we’d appreciate your support."

Why we should win:

"At SortRefer, we’re more than a legal services provider — we’re a partner focused on helping brokers succeed.
Over the past year, we’ve enhanced our platform, expanded our supplier panel, and introduced new earning opportunities, all designed to make conveyancing smoother, faster, and more rewarding. Our growing regional events programme and strong business performance reflect the real value we deliver to our introducers.
What sets us apart is our commitment to progress — not just for our clients, but for the wider industry. Through innovation, collaboration, and a relentless focus on service, we’re helping shape a better future for conveyancing."

Why we should win:

"What truly differentiates L&G Mortgage Club is not just what we do, but the role we play in the industry.

We are not simply a distributor — we are a trusted advocate for advisers and a respected voice in shaping the future of the intermediary market.

Under Clare Beardmore’s leadership, Mortgage Club continues to play a visible and active role in industry leadership. Through her position on the AMI Board and Executive Committee, alongside direct engagement with regulators and industry stakeholders, adviser perspectives are consistently represented at the highest levels.

This leadership translated into meaningful industry engagement throughout 2025, helping improve understanding between regulators, lenders and advisers while reinforcing the importance of advice in delivering good customer outcomes.

Our culture of responsibility also extends beyond commercial activity. In 2025, colleagues, advisers and partners raised over £36,700 for Ronald McDonald House Charities, reflecting our shared commitment to making a positive difference.

Ultimately, what sets L&G Mortgage Club apart is our combination of influence, integrity and purpose. We do not simply participate in the market — we help shape it.

That is why L&G Mortgage Club is a deserving winner of Mortgage Club of the Year."

Why we should win:

"Next Intelligence delivers genuinely personal, expert support that empowers brokers of all sizes. We’ve strengthened helpdesk capacity, expanded specialist services and invested in low cost technology and referral solutions, ensuring members receive fast, knowledgeable guidance whenever they need it.

Over the past year we’ve successfully merged two respected brands without disruption, broadened lender access, launched a new website and member portal, and improved turnaround times through streamlined processes. With our largest-ever conference, enhanced protection panel and expanded education programme, we’ve given brokers more choice, more tools and more opportunities to grow – reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional value in a challenging market."

Why we should win:

"PMS is built around one mission: helping advisers deliver clear, confident and suitable outcomes for their customers so they can start, run, grow and exit their businesses. With a broad lender and protection panel, the UK’s largest face‑to‑face relationship network and practical CPD programmes grounded in real‑world challenges, PMS gives DA firms the support they need to thrive. 

Our impact is reflected in the strong results advisers achieved last year and in the rising levels of trust and advocacy across our membership."

Why we should win:

"Simplybiz Mortgages - Why we feel we deserve your vote for Best Mortgage Club

Over the past year, we’ve focused on one thing above all else: giving our members more value, more opportunity, and confidence in a fast‑changing market.

We’ve strengthened partnerships, expanded our event and education programme, and invested heavily in technology that saves time, supports better advice, and helps firms grow. Through focus groups, surveys and ongoing member engagement, we’ve shaped every initiative around what advisers tell us they need most.

Innovation has been central to our progress. We launched Navigator, our digital compliance solution, expanded our enterprise partnership with Mortgage Brain, and delivered new hubs and academies covering high‑growth areas including BTL, specialist lending, high net worth, GI, and later life. These developments give advisers the tools, insight and clarity needed to handle complex cases confidently.

Our expanded and re-engineered event schedule, probably the largest in the industry, has created greater engagement and given members more direct access to education, best practice, and expert support than ever before. Through deeper data insights, enhanced profiling, and new partner engagement tools, we’ve been able to deliver even more targeted, personalised support that really meet adviser needs.

At every stage, we’ve kept our commitment to helping members work efficiently, stay compliant, diversify their offering, and deliver outstanding outcomes for their clients.

We think bigger on behalf of advisers, supporting today’s challenges while helping firms prepare for the future of mortgage advice.

Your success is at the heart of everything we do -  and it’s why we’d be humbled to secure your vote for Best Mortgage Club."

Why we should win:

"The Right DA Club should win because we represent what brokers actually want and need from a club today.
We are not about ticking boxes or chasing headlines we are about showing up, listening, and delivering real support when it matters most. Over the past year, we have proven that consistency, care, and collaboration can still thrive in a turbulent market.
For brokers, The Right DA Club is more than a service provider; it is a community that understands the realities of advice, respects individuality, and supports long-term success. We back our members not just in business, but as people.
If brokers are voting for a club that genuinely puts advisers first, values relationships over volume, and is helping shape a better future for the mortgage industry, then The Right DA Club is the clear choice."

Why we should win:

"Connect for Intermediaries is built on a clear principle: a network should actively help advisers grow, not just oversee them.

Everything we do is focused on delivering practical, measurable value. From access to 200+ lenders and specialist support for complex cases, to structured development through Academy Boost and Broker Boost, our model is designed to help advisers build stronger, more sustainable businesses.

We have also made a direct investment in adviser opportunity. Through Connect Expert, our fully funded adviser directory, we have delivered over 250 high-quality leads straight to AR firms — creating real, tangible commercial benefit at no cost to our members.

At the same time, we continue to invest in technology that genuinely improves adviser experience. This includes the use of AI within our CRM and compliance systems, providing real-time guidance, reducing administrative burden and helping advisers manage cases more efficiently while maintaining high standards.

Just as importantly, we remain an accessible and supportive network. Advisers can engage directly with senior management, compliance and specialist teams, ensuring clarity, responsiveness and a true sense of partnership.

Our advisers also serve clients in over 38 languages, helping to improve financial inclusion and ensure advice is accessible, relevant and better understood.

In a challenging market, we have focused on creating opportunity, removing barriers and improving outcomes — for advisers and their clients alike.

If you are voting for a network that combines growth, support, innovation and real delivery, Connect for Intermediaries stands out as a deserving winner of Network of the Year."

Why we should win:

"We exist to empower advisers. In a year where the industry has faced challenges, we have continued to grow, support advisers and strengthen transparency across our proposition. If you believe in a mortgage network that puts advisers first and is committed to raising standards across the industry, then we deserve to be considered for this award."

Why we should win:

"Sesame is built around advisers — and advisers consistently say the same thing: the network feels like a partner that genuinely cares about their success and their customers’ wellbeing. They describe Sesame as accessible, knowledgeable and supportive, offering guidance that is down‑to‑earth, relatable and designed to make real‑world conversations easier for both advisers and their clients. 

Advisers highlight the difference that Sesame’s people make. They talk about a network that listens, acts on feedback and supports them through complex situations with clarity and empathy. Many describe Sesame as the best it has ever been, noting meaningful improvements in how the network communicates, provides support and helps firms deliver better customer experiences. 

They also tell powerful stories of what Sesame’s support means in practice — from hands‑on guidance during onboarding, to in‑person visits that help firms build confidence, to training that improves the quality of the conversations they have with customers at life‑changing moments. These adviser perspectives capture what no statistic can: the human impact of a network that shows up, listens and acts in their best interests.

A vote for Sesame is a vote for a network that puts advisers and customers first — a partnership built on trust, care and a long‑term commitment to doing things the right way."

Why we should win:

"Stonebridge stands out as Mortgage Network of the Year because we combine sustained growth with strong financial performance and an unwavering commitment to adviser success. Our results in 2025 demonstrate both the scale and strength of our model, with completed lending increasing by 24% and case volumes rising by 20% year on year. 

What differentiates Stonebridge is our ability to translate strong performance into meaningful value for advisers. We achieve this by consistently listening to our member firms through ongoing engagement with support teams, our annual network survey, social listening, and other feedback channels, ensuring our strategy remains closely aligned to their evolving needs. 

This approach has driven market-leading expansion, with 106 new AR firms joining the network (the highest net gain across all UK networks for the fourth consecutive year). Growth has been delivered through both the organic success of existing firms and our ability to attract new businesses, underpinned by a clear focus on improving adviser productivity through targeted support, tools, and training. 

Ownership of our technology platform, Revolution, allows us to invest directly in areas that matter most to advisers, delivering continuous enhancements that improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, and support better customer outcomes. Initiatives such as assisted lead funding through short-term repayable commission advances have also created additional revenue opportunities, further supporting adviser growth. At the same time, we benefit from economies of scale across our people and infrastructure, enabling us to grow sustainably while maintaining consistently high service standards and ensuring that every investment continues to deliver value for our advisers and their customers.

Stonebridge is more than just a mortgage network, but a partner to our member firms, committed to delivering the tools, support, and environment they need to succeed. We believe we are setting the benchmark across the industry, and we’re proud to continue leading the way."

Why we should win:

"What sets us apart, specifically in the network world, is that we are a truly family-orientated business in terms of the people who specifically run, and work within, the business, but also in terms of our approach to our member firms. Above all, The Right Mortgage has always been about people. The relationships we build with advisers, firms and partners sit at the heart of everything we do. We believe financial services should be a fun, rewarding place to work, and we see that come to life every time we come together with our members & partners at our events."

Why we should win:

"Acre deserves to win Tech Provider of the Year because we don't just improve the mortgage process, we are rebuilding it from the ground up, using technology that delivers real, tangible results for brokers and homebuyers alike.
Founded on the principle that buying a home should be simpler, faster, and less stressful for everyone involved, Acre has grown into the UK's fastest-growing intermediary platform, now processing over 15% of new UK mortgages and supporting more than one million homebuyers. That growth isn't accidental, it's the direct result of building technology that brokers actually want to use, and a relentless focus on solving the real problems that slow the industry down."

Why we should win:

"You've seen the AI promises. You've sat through the demos. You've probably watched a tool that looked impressive in a controlled environment fall apart the moment it touched a real case file.
We know, because the compliance teams and brokers we work with tell us this every week.
Complex cases — multiple directors, multiple fact finds, multiple document sets — taking several hours, with back-and-forth between compliance staff and advisers before anything moves forward. That is not an edge case. That is most days.
The people doing this work are experienced professionals. They shouldn't be spending their afternoons chasing a missing payslip. That time belongs on the cases that genuinely need expert judgement — the edge cases, the vulnerable customers, the advice quality issues that actually require a human in the room.
Curvestone handles the routine so they can focus on the important.
And lenders know the other side of it: the incomplete submissions that arrive on underwriters' desks, the missing documents caught too late, the packbacks that delay completions and frustrate everyone. When case quality coming in is inconsistent, the whole chain slows down.
We handle the messy documents. We check every case, not a sample. We catch problems before they become packbacks. We're in production across UK mortgage networks today, checking thousands of cases monthly, and working with lenders to clean up pipelines before cases reach their underwriting teams.
Our clients expand their use of us because it genuinely works. And we are obsessive about getting it right — not just for the demo, but for case 4,000 on a Wednesday afternoon when nobody's watching.
If you want technology that was actually built for this industry — vote for Curvestone AI."

Why we should win:

"Knowledge Bank exists to solve real problems for brokers and lenders and everything we build is driven by how the market works in practice. Over the last year we have continued to lead from the front, delivering practical innovation that improves confidence and supports better outcomes for customers. 

From combining affordability and criteria into a single intelligent calculation with AffCalc, to introducing AI-powered guidance through KB Assist, we are strengthening broker-to-lender communication with Notify. These are not features built for headlines, but tools designed to be used every day on real cases. 

If you value technology that supports advisers, adapts to a fast-changing market and is shaped by broker and lender feedback, then we would be proud to earn your vote. Knowledge Bank is built by people who understand the challenges of mortgage advice and are committed to making the job easier and more accurate for the whole industry."

Why we should win:

"Over the past 12 months, Mortgage Brain has combined meaningful technological innovation with genuine industry partnership and human support to deliver measurable impact for brokers and lenders.

We launched Mortgage Brain Hub, CRM Brain and a reimagined Submissions Brain, creating a truly connected, end-to-end journey from sourcing to application. Alongside this, we upgraded Sourcing Brain to be up to ten times faster, improving speed, accuracy and confidence in time-critical client conversations.

Our focus is always on delivery over hype. We only bring solutions to market when they are proven, reliable and ready to create real value. This approach has driven strong adoption, with over 1,800 users onboarded in five months and continued growth into 2026.

Customer satisfaction underpins everything we do. We are the only provider in our sector to track NPS specifically for lender product updates, and in 2025 achieved world-class scores across Customer Success and Lender engagement, reflecting exceptional trust from both brokers and lenders.

Through close partnerships, particularly with PRIMIS, significant investment in customer success, and a strong commitment to data security through ISO 27001 accreditation, we continue to set the standard for responsible, collaborative innovation.

We believe we deserve to win because we consistently deliver technology that works, partnerships that matter, and support that empowers brokers,  ultimately helping thousands of customers achieve one of life’s most important milestones: home ownership."

Why we should win:

"Technology plays a central role in how advisers run their businesses but its value and whether it truly drives the industry forward, is defined by how well it supports real working practices.
That’s why the OMS philosophy has always been centred around building a platform shaped by broker and lender feedback, ensuring each development reflects how firms actually operate and how they want their technology to support their business.
By combining a powerful core system with a connected ecosystem of integration partners, alongside continuous and relevant improvements, OMS aims to provide practical solutions to real problems. Helping brokers work more efficiently, reduce administrative burden and maintain strong compliance standards.
OMS was once perceived as a smaller provider within a market made up of well established players, however that perception has shifted. As expectations around technology have increased, so has the need for systems that listen, adapt, innovate and evolve.
Our continued growth and increasing adoption across both brokers and lenders reflects that shift, demonstrating the value of a platform built around real user needs and a commitment to delivering meaningful, ongoing improvements.



PRESENTATION LINK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x8e3WrUiMXpKqZhZBWxdQoqzfkm_5tYD/view?usp=share_link"

Why I should win:

"I believe small firms can build stronger foundations than large ones when they’re designed deliberately.

This year I expanded into my hometown, invested in structured client systems and embedded inclusion into our advice model. If you believe well-built, relationship-led brokerage deserves recognition, I would genuinely value your support 🫶"

Why I should win:

"If you’re someone who believes great mortgage advice should feel personal, supportive and genuinely centred around people, I would be honoured to have your vote.
I run a small, independent mortgage and protection business built on relationships, not volume. I don’t have a call centre, and I don’t pass clients from person to person. When someone contacts my business, they deal with me — from first conversation to completion and beyond.
I’m also an approved adviser within Amazon’s employee benefits scheme, which is a huge part of what makes my business different. I specialise in supporting employees with complex income, including RSUs and bonuses, who are often misunderstood by the market. I regularly speak to people who have been told they “might not qualify” or that their income won’t be accepted, when in reality it just hasn’t been assessed properly. Helping those clients move from uncertainty to getting their keys is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
I believe advice should feel clear and simple, not intimidating. I take the time to explain options in plain English, answer questions honestly, and make sure clients truly understand what they’re committing to. I’ve also invested in digital tools that make the process easier, while keeping the personal, human service that clients value.
Most of my business now comes from referrals and returning clients. People recommend me because they felt listened to, supported and looked after — and that means more to me than any sales figure.
Winning would represent recognition for a one-woman business built on care, consistency and doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Thank you so much for considering me."

Why I should win:

"Holly’s ethos is simple – she is here to make life easier and better for each and every client.  She believes that going above and beyond for her clients, assisting them at every stage, being on hand and providing weekly updates and adapting her advice process to suit each individual client on a fee-free basis, achieves exactly that.  Holly looks after her clients and they in turn, look after her by paying her the biggest compliment ever by referring Holly on a regular basis to their friends, family and work colleagues.  In fact, 100% of Hollys clients are self-generated and based on referrals which she’s received.  This in itself ensures that she constantly offers the highest level of advice and service as she relies on her clients recommending her to their friends, family and work colleagues."

Why I should win:

"Specialist finance can feel complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. My mission is simple - help brokers and clients understand it, structure it, and use it to unlock more opportunities.

Whether that’s solving complex funding challenges for developers and investors or sharing knowledge through the Specialist Finance Academy, I’m passionate about making the complex feel simple.

I hope that this expertise & generosity with my knowledge resonates with your readers"

Why I should win:

"If I’m fortunate enough to make the finalist list, it would be an incredible honour to have the support of fellow brokers across the industry.

My focus has always been simple, put clients first, work tirelessly to find solutions, and never accept that a difficult case means an impossible outcome. Much of the work I do sits within the specialist lending space, helping clients who may have been declined elsewhere or who have complex circumstances. I take real pride in working closely with lenders to structure cases properly and turn challenging situations into successful outcomes.

For me, great advising is about more than placing a mortgage. It’s about building trust, maintaining strong relationships with lenders, and delivering a level of service that clients genuinely remember. A large proportion of my business now comes through referrals and returning clients, which is the greatest endorsement I could ask for.

If you choose to support me, thank you. It would mean a great deal and would represent recognition of the dedication, persistence and passion I bring to helping clients achieve outcomes they once believed were out of reach.

Helping clients achieve what they once believed was impossible is why I love what I do, and your support would mean the world."

Why I should win:

"I believe I should be considered for Business Leader of the Year because everything I’ve built has been grounded in genuinely caring about the people behind the transaction.

Through Fix My Legals, I’ve focused on creating a process that not only moves faster, but feels better for clients, especially in complex or sensitive situations where people often feel overlooked. I stay close to the frontline, take on cases others turn away, and make sure every client feels supported, not just processed.

We’ve delivered strong results over the past year, but what matters most to me is that we’ve done it without losing the human element. For me, leadership is about proving that you can drive change, raise standards, and still truly care."

Why I should win:

"As a business leader, my goal is to create an environment where every member of our team feels seen, supported and valued. 

I’ve worked hard to strengthen our culture, because I believe that when people know their voice matters, they feel empowered to grow and succeed.  

Without the people, L&C would not be anything and for every external success I or we achieve it is all down to the team."

Why I should win:

"Reaching the next stage and being recognised as a business leader in this industry would be a significant achievement, and a reflection of the work put in not just this year, but over a number of years to get OMS to where it is today.
For me, leadership in this industry has always meant listening first. OMS was built by people who have lived and breathed the mortgage market, and everything we deliver, every integration, every update, every piece of innovation, starts with real feedback from brokers and lenders. That’s why I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved over the past year.
We’ve strengthened our platform in ways that have a direct and practical impact on day-to-day work. Our expanded partnership with Sikoia has brought deeper AI-powered document and data checks into both the CRM and Originations platforms, helping reduce friction and improve accuracy for brokers and lenders alike. We’ve also continued to invest in lender-side transformation through OMS Originations, giving banks and building societies a modern, fully configurable platform that supports complex lending and faster, more confident decisioning.
We’ve continued to develop our long-standing integration partnership with Twenty7Tec, ensuring advisers can access sourcing, criteria and affordability results seamlessly, without the burden of rekeying, helping deliver faster advice while maintaining robust compliance.
Beyond the technology, I’ve made it a priority for OMS to remain deeply involved in the industry conversations that matter. Whether through events, webinars, press commentary or our Tech Talk events, I believe strongly that progress happens when we share ideas openly and challenge each other to push the market forward.
If recognised, it would reflect the work of a team focused on helping brokers and lenders operate more efficiently, deliver better outcomes and feel confident in the systems they rely on every day.

PLEASE SEE SUPPORTING PRESENTATION HERE - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uzVyz8E_QfzEiY5qui5_UiTsulqt2Btt/view?usp=sharing"

Why I should win:

"I’m proud to read feedback about the work I have delivered over the past 12 months, and I’ll refer to my industry peers who’ve kindly provided feedback for this section:
--
“Adrian has been instrumental in turning OSB Group into a top 10 lender, and the largest specialist lender for our group. The launch of Rely included impressive events that communicated the brand and its components directly with brokers in the Orthodox Jewish community, as well as increasing the support in the bridging market for our members through a dedicated sales team”
Richard Howes, MD Paradigm Mortgage Services
--
“Adrian is always available and is readily prepared to be hands on to support our team whenever called upon. 2025 saw a massive increase of market share within SPF for OSB Group. This included some of our larger loan transactions and them becoming our number 1 regulated bridging lender for the group.  His leadership strategy around  support, proactive retention strategy, and specialist sales teams sets him out from his peers”
Mark Harris CEO SPF Private Clients"

Why I should win:

"The past 12 months have been defined by change and evolving customer needs. Through this period, I have demonstrated a consistent ability to adapt my leadership style, remain focused on long term outcomes, and motivate my team to deliver meaningful progress. I have helped foster genuine competition, widen specialist choice, and strengthen the value customers receive from the intermediary market.
My commitment to the sector extends beyond Metro Bank. I remain highly active in the press, contribute to panels, industry events, and thought leadership discussions, and regularly support intermediary partners with content, speaking engagements and access to premises. This outward facing work complements the transformational changes delivered internally across product, technology, risk, distribution and culture.
From a small, London centric mortgage team, I have grown our business into a formidable national lender with a strong infrastructure and a talented, empowered team. I am immensely proud of the progress and impact made, during another year of significant market complexity."

Why I should win:

"Having previously been a mortgage broker, my background expertise and industry knowledge as a whole, have combined to produce some staggering results for advisers and firms, just like you.

We could talk about the targets that have been achieved or landing the largest portfolio application the bank has received, all within the first 8 months in the role, however my focus goes beyond transactions. I am passionate about building meaningful relations, sharing of experiences, and placing brokers in the most educated position to support their clients, and driving sustainable success for all parties. 

Being a Rising Star is more than the standout performances, it incorporates integrity, future potential and playing a meaningful role within the lending sector as a whole. I'm proud of the impact I am making for you and your clients.  

With this in mind, I hope I can count on your vote - your support would mean the world to me!"

Why I should win:

"This is my final year of eligibility for the Rising Star category. I didn’t enter awards during my first 18 months in the industry because I was focused on learning and finding my feet. Now with greater confidence, I know the work I’m doing is meaningful and deserves a seat at the table.

To be shortlisted would be a huge achievement. To win would be even more special. More than recognition though, this entry represents a moment of self belief in my impact so far and in the direction I’m heading next.

I’m in this industry for the long term. I want to make a wider contribution and help shape a finance sector that people are excited to be part of, one that values relationships as much as commercial success. I want to be an active voice here moving forward."

Why I should win:

"I should win because I embody what it means to be a true Rising Star in financial advice—delivering real impact now while helping shape the future of the profession.

At 27, I’ve progressed to Director of Jane Newman Financial Planning Ltd, taking on leadership responsibility within a firm built on strong family values and trust. I’m proud to be continuing and evolving a business founded by my mum, blending that legacy with a modern, accessible approach to advice that resonates with today’s clients."

Why I should win:

"If I’m fortunate enough to reach the finalist stage, I’d love for readers to support me because I’m passionate about this industry and determined to use my career to make a positive difference for clients, brokers and colleagues. I care deeply about getting things right, not just commercially, but ethically and practically, and I put my energy into building products and experiences that genuinely help people.
I’m still early in my career, but I work hard, stay curious and always try to bring people together to deliver meaningful improvements. Being recognised as a Rising Star would not only be an incredible honour, but also a motivator to keep pushing boundaries, learning, and contributing to the future of specialist lending."

Why I should win:

"Just over a year ago, I entered the specialist property finance industry after facing two redundancies. I had no background in surveying, no experience in specialist lending, and no existing network. I joined Project & Co, a valuation and surveying firm, as the sole Business Development Manager, and everything about the role was new to me.

What I did have was drive, resilience and a genuine belief that relationships are everything in this industry.

When I started, I had fewer than 10 LinkedIn connections in the sector. Today, less than 18 months later, I’ve built a network of over 4,000 brokers, lenders, PMs and solicitors. That growth hasn’t come from sitting behind a screen,  it’s come from showing up consistently. I’m out meeting people three to four times a week, from early morning coffees to evening events, making sure our brand is visible, approachable and, most importantly, trusted.

As brokers, you need valuers who communicate clearly, respond quickly and understand the pressures you’re under. That’s why I make sure I’m not just present socially, but reliable professionally too. I dedicate time each week to staying on top of emails, follow-ups and service standards so that when we promise something, we deliver it. If you've ever called me, you know how quickly I answer!!

Alongside my day-to-day role, I’m studying to become a Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance with the LIBF. I chose to do this because I want to properly understand your world, your challenges, your clients and lender expectations then I can represent your needs better internally and add real value to every conversation.

In just over a year, I’ve changed industries, built a network from scratch and helped strengthen the relationships between brokers, lenders and our surveying team. I don’t just see myself as a BDM. I see myself as a connector and friend in the specialist finance community.

If you believe in supporting someone who is new to the industry but fully committed to it, who shows up consistently, invests in her own knowledge, genuinely values relationships and isn't afraid to be themselves I would be incredibly grateful for your vote. I will also do my signature dance move the worm."

Why I should win:

"Mortgage administration is often behind the scenes, but it’s where clients are protected and trust is earned, both in my abilities as an individual but also for JML as a whole. Over the past year, I’ve been proud to step up for JML during a challenging period, helping provide stability for everyone I work with while ensuring clients experienced the same high standards of care and service.
Alongside this, having completed my CeMAP qualification, so I could provide an additional layer of advice and support clients fully, I’ve played a key role in mentoring our trainee advisers as we build the next generation within the firm which is celebrating 25 years of helping, caring and delivering excellent service to our clients. Winning this award would recognise resilience, teamwork and the quiet commitment that keeps everything moving forward and would be a huge honour that I can share with the whole team I work with."

Why I should win:

"This year, I have been the sole case manager for the business, overseeing every file from submission to completion.

Being the only case manager means full responsibility — every deadline, lender query, compliance check, and client update sits with me. Despite the volume and pressure, service standards have remained high and cases have progressed smoothly.

I’ve balanced demanding clients with complex, time-sensitive cases, often managing multiple completions at once, while maintaining accuracy and strong relationships with brokers and lenders. Staying organised, calm, and proactive ensures nothing is missed.
What sets me apart is ownership. I don’t just assist on cases — I drive them forward. I communicate consistently, chase proactively, and protect both the client experience and the broker’s reputation.

This role requires resilience, efficiency, and accountability. I’ve embraced that responsibility and consistently delivered quality results under pressure.

If you’re looking to support someone who brings reliability, attention to detail, and total commitment to every case, I would truly value your vote."

Why I should win:

"I believe I should win Mortgage Administrator of the Year because I consistently go beyond the traditional administrative role to improve both the client experience and the efficiency of our business. Over the past year, I introduced automated communications within our CRM system, embracing the growing role of automation and AI in modernising processes and streamlining the mortgage journey. This ensures clients stay informed at every stage while supporting advisors and strengthening compliance. 

I also help make the process more accessible by supporting clients whose first language is not English, ensuring they fully understand each stage of their home-buying journey. My goal is always to combine innovation, efficiency, and genuine care for clients to deliver a smoother and more inclusive mortgage experience."

Why I should win:

"Over the last 12 months I have not only grown personally but grown alongside the business.

At just 20 years old, I have supported approximately £50 million worth of mortgage transactions, worked on complex residential and commercial cases, trained new staff members and helped the company expand its team and introducer network.

My focus has always been on accuracy, communication and efficiency. Whether supporting first-time buyers or complex commercial borrowers, I ensure cases are packaged correctly, lenders receive clear documentation, and clients are kept informed throughout the process.

The impact of my contribution can be seen through:

Increased transaction volumes

Higher quality mortgage submissions

Stronger lender relationships

Successful training and onboarding of new team members

New introducer relationships contributing to future growth

I believe this award would recognise not only the volume of work I have supported, but also the progression, dedication and responsibility I have taken on at a young age.

My journey from working at Morrisons stacking shelves at 19 to becoming a key operational support within a growing mortgage brokerage shows what can be achieved with hard work, commitment and the right opportunities.

I am proud of the trust placed in me by the Directors and advisers, and I hope my story demonstrates that young people have an important place in the future of the mortgage industry."

Why I should win:

"If I’m lucky enough to reach the finalist list, I hope readers will see not just what I do, but why I do it. Every day, I work behind the scenes to make the mortgage process smoother, simpler, and far less stressful for our clients—handling the details so they can focus on the excitement of moving home. Clients have highlighted the difference I make in ways that truly warm my heart. One review said:

“A special thank you to Emma who provided assistance during her annual leave over the Christmas period. Actions speak louder than words—this speaks volumes about her dedication to ensuring a high standard of customer service.”

Others have said:

“Emma is always available and responds out of normal working hours, which is appreciated and shows her commitment.”
“She’s a pleasure to deal with and gives us a nudge when we forget to do something!”
“Outstanding—chased up daily as we had issues with the solicitors. Emma managed to get it all completed and sorted. I don’t think it would’ve happened if it wasn’t for Emma.”

This year has also been one of huge personal growth. I’ve qualified as a General Insurance Advisor, allowing me to support clients in even more ways and make a real difference to their financial security. I’ve been proud to play a key part in Staton Mortgages’ ESTAS success, helping the business achieve national recognition through client feedback and ensuring every case is handled flawlessly.

I’m driven, passionate, and committed to going above and beyond every day. Voting for me means choosing someone who not only delivers results, but genuinely changes people’s experiences for the better, turning what can be a stressful journey into something positive, reassuring, and memorable."

Why I should win:

"If you have worked with me on a case, you will already know what I bring. Broker Joe Jones put it well: "The only lender on the market to take a punt on the project and it saved the clients from what looked like a catastrophe. Shoutout to Andy Bate, couldn't have done it without him." Sophie Owen has described how my rapid updates and seamless underwriting got her client's urgent case done on time, adding: "Whenever I need a quick turnaround and first-class service, I always think to look to Hope Capital Property Finance, Sam and Andrew.""

Why I should win:

"It has been an incredibly rewarding year working with the team at Keystone. Together we have strengthened the underwriting function, improved processes and continued to evolve the way we operate in a fast-moving lending environment.

Underwriting plays a critical role in balancing growth with responsible lending, and I believe that combining strong credit judgement with innovation, collaboration and forward-thinking technology is key to achieving this balance.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure brokers have confidence that when they place a case with Keystone, they will receive clear communication, pragmatic underwriting and a lender that works with them to find solutions for their clients.

Being recognised for this award would not only be a personal honour but also a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire underwriting team at Keystone, whose commitment and professionalism continue to drive positive outcomes for our brokers, clients and the wider lending market."

Why I should win:

"Underwriting should never feel like a barrier. It should give advisors clarity and confidence.

My focus has always been on making decisions that make sense in the real world, not just on paper. That means understanding the full story behind a case, being consistent in how decisions are made and being available to have a proper conversation when it matters.

If you are looking for a lender where underwriting works with you, not against you, that is exactly what I aim to deliver."

Why I should win:

"If we’ve worked together, you’ll know I care about giving brokers a smooth, fair, and transparent experience. I’m committed to quick decisions, open communication, and finding workable solutions without compromising on responsible lending. 
Your vote would recognise the standard I hold myself to every day: consistency, integrity, collaboration, and a genuine desire to help brokers succeed. 
Thank you for your support."

Why I should win:

"My goal this year has been to make underwriting clearer, more collaborative, and more accessible, supporting brokers with pragmatic guidance at both pre submission and application stage. I’ve focused on improving consistency and decision quality across our team, so brokers experience smoother, faster, more predictable outcomes.
I’m committed to being approachable, reliable, and solutions focused. If you choose to vote for me, you’re backing an underwriting approach built on partnership, clarity, and genuine support for the specialist market."

Why I should win:

"I believe I should win BDM of the Year because my impact over the last 12 months has gone far beyond delivering strong numbers and instead has been about making Barclays easier to do business with, particularly for brokers operating in Scotland.
Brokers trust me because I listen, respond quickly and follow through. Whether that’s helping a detractor become a promoter, navigating complex policy or stepping in when BAU channels fail, my brokers know I will be there. David Louden, Mortgage Advisor from Howdengrange Financial Services Ltd. shares: “Julie is a fantastic BDM and one we have come to rely upon. She never hides and has a determination that is unrivalled. This gives me confidence that she will always fight our corner, with many vital contributions which have benefitted our clients but even when the answer is no, I know Julie has done all she can. Barclays can be a lender where a strong BDM is important and in Julie we have an outstanding BDM who always supports our business.”

This trust is reflected in consistent, positive feedback from my brokers. A recent example of this is where my guidance on Barclays Green Mortgage Scheme resulted in a broker’s client receiving £2,000 within a week. This was a tangible outcome that strengthened both the broker relationship and Barclays’ reputation.

Internally, I am known as someone who understands the detail and is willing to challenge when something is not working. From clarifying valuation terminology that caused confusion for Scottish brokers, to influencing shared equity process reviews, I use my regional expertise to ensure policy and process genuinely work in practice. Graeme Muirhead, Regional Manager for the North Region at Barclays, shares: “Julie is a stand-out BDM and the blueprint which I would present to any new BDM entering the field. We regularly ask mortgage brokers what they would like to see in a BDM and their response encapsulates everything I see in Julie. Primarily Julie has a natural desire to help but this is coupled with an incredibly perceptive mind which understands the problem quickly and starts to search for creative solutions. She also has an unwavering determination to succeed which means she doesn’t take no for an answer easily but in doing so still manages to build internal relationships as seamlessly as she does external relationships – in my experience this is rare and has to be admired. Julie doesn’t just help with problems. Her creative mind leads brainstorming sessions on how we can refine our propositional further, with her broker’s feedback informing those ideas at every stage. She was the obvious choice to represent the BDM team on the Advisory Board, which has helped to shape our market offering. I have entrusted her with our most prestigious relationships because her ability to form relationships, explain concepts and solve problems is second to none. This is evidenced by broker feedback sessions which regularly tell me that Julie can be the difference between business coming to Barclays or not. For that reason, I believe Julie is an outstanding candidate for this award.”

My mindset has delivered strong commercial growth, improved broker experience, and meaningful influence across Barclays. For me, that is what being BDM of the Year truly represents."

Why I should win:

"Making it to the final of the financial reporter awards is a real honour for me and a career highlight. 
There is no better feeling than being recognised for doing to the job I love so much. Throughout 2025 I added significant value not only to my broker panel but to the HSBC UK brand. 

If you want to vote for a BDM who genuinely cares about your business and customers, someone who is there for you when you need them, please vote for me - no one would be more grateful than myself. 
Thank you for all your support."

Why I should win:

"Being a BDM today is about far more than introducing products—it’s about partnership, problem-solving, and consistently delivering on promises.

I pride myself on being dependable, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. Brokers know they can pick up the phone to me, talk through a case, and get honest, practical guidance that helps move things forward.

As Gina Blagden, Brightstar Group, summarises, “his experience, responsiveness and willingness to work in true partnership make a real difference to how smoothly we operate.”

My goal is simple: to make brokers’ lives easier, help them succeed, and ensure their clients get the right outcomes. If I can do that consistently, the results follow—for brokers, for their clients, and for UTB.

I’ll leave the last word to my manager, Chris Pedlar, Head of Sales – Mortgages, United Trust Bank

“Having worked with Jigar for nine years, I’ve seen first-hand the energy, dedication, and care he brings to his role every day.

He works tirelessly to support his brokers—whether that’s helping them grow their business or finding solutions to complex cases. Jigar has an exceptional ability to build strong, lasting relationships with key stakeholders, combining commercial awareness with an unwavering focus on service.

He doesn’t just manage accounts—he develops them, strengthens them, and adds real value. That’s what sets him apart, and why he is so highly regarded by both colleagues and broker partners alike.”"

Why I should win:

"I am incredibly proud of the journey I have taken and the relationships I have built across my region.

At Saffron, we talk about “Embracing Different,” and that is something I genuinely bring to life in my role. I strive to be a different kind of BDM—one who focuses on understanding a brokers business, creating genuine value and supporting their growth into specialist areas and with their businesses in general. 

Whether supporting brokers to expand into new areas such as self-build, or stepping in to help resolve complex cases under pressure, my goal is always the same: to make brokers’ lives easier and help them deliver better outcomes for their clients.

I am proud to be a BDM that brokers trust and come back to. Winning this award would mean the world! It would recognise not only the results achieved, but the effort, consistency, and genuine care that sits behind everything I do."

Why I should win:

"Thank you for taking the time to review my submission. This year has been one of the most rewarding of my career, not only because of the 75% growth in my region I’ve delivered, but because of the learning, and collaboration that made them possible. I’m proud of the impact I’ve had — from strengthening our region and achieving record growth, to helping shape lending criteria that now benefit our customers and colleagues every day. 

What motivates me most is knowing that the work I do genuinely makes a difference. I’m passionate about representing the business with integrity, building lasting relationships, and finding opportunities that move us forward. Winning this award would be an incredible honour, but regardless of the outcome, I’m grateful for the chance to showcase the pride I have in my role and the contributions I’ve made this year. 

Thank you again for your time, consideration, and for recognising the people who care deeply about driving our business forward."

Why we should win:

"At Accord Mortgages we are absolutely committed to intermediary advisors. Everything we do—our proposition, our service model, our product design—is built around a deep and genuine commitment to the intermediary community. We believe that a lender’s success should be measured not just by rates and product volumes, but by the strength of the support we give to the brokers who trust us with their clients.

We continually invest in making the broker experience faster, clearer, and more collaborative. Whether it’s delivering transparent criteria updates, offering consistent and reliable service levels, or enhancing our digital tools based on broker feedback, we aim to remove friction and empower advisers to spend more time with their clients.
Our people are our greatest differentiator, Accord’s BDMs, underwriters, and service teams take pride in being accessible, human, and solutions‑focused. Brokers know that when they come to us, they’re working with a team that listens, understands the challenges of the market, and goes above and beyond to find a path to “yes” whenever we possibly can.
We co‑create our proposition with the intermediary community. Accord’s product innovation, service enhancements, and policy evolution are all shaped by direct broker input. From designing processes around real adviser pain points to piloting enhancements in partnership with key firms, our commitment is rooted in collaboration—not assumption.
We show up for brokers in every market cycle. During periods of volatility, we prioritise stability, communication, and responsible lending. Our goal is always to give intermediaries confidence: confidence in our service, confidence in our decision‑making, and confidence that we will stand alongside them and their clients, no matter the environment.
We continue to invest significantly in our Growth series proposition which is solely focussed on supporting intermediaries to grow their own businesses and navigate a challenging market - the tools and guidance that' provided can be invaluable particularly for firms who don't have significant resource to focus on development."

Why we should win:

"At Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries, we’re focused on helping brokers to help more clients. We offer a range of residential and buy to let mortgages as well as more innovative solutions such as our Bespoke range and buy to let top slicing. We understand the affordability challenges brokers face and will go over and above to support them and their clients.  

Our dedicated BDM teams embody and support our tailored service by delivering genuine care, empathy and expertise with every interaction. Our underwriters take a personalised and flexible approach, assessing each case holistically to find solutions. 

Working in partnership is important to us and we pride ourselves in our relationships across the industry. We believe two-way education between lenders and brokers is key. Whether this is providing upskilling events and content to ensure brokers understand our proposition and the markets we operate in, or listening to brokers and acting on their feedback."

Why we should win:

"NatWest deserves this award due to the significant investment and advancement in our proposition that have made it easier for more intermediaries to help their clients get on the property ladder. We’ve successfully launched our Family-Backed Mortgage and Shared Ownership propositions and made improvements to residential LTI and new build LTV which have supported more customers.  In addition, we’ve launched standalone Additional Borrowing and partnered with 3rd parties like Landbay to enhance our BTL proposition.  

We’ve been improving the intermediary experience and simplified the mortgage process through new partnerships. We continue to develop our Broker Portal and website to support intermediaries and have also launched new communication and engagement options, such as our NatWest Intermediaries LinkedIn, Whatsapp and webinars.  

We’ve embraced digital options over paper, reducing case packaging requirements even further and utilised technology such as automated documentation verification and AI-driven data extraction to reduce manual processing time. 

Overall, NatWest's innovation has been outstanding with the launch of new propositions, improvements to criteria, innovative partnerships, use of digital options, and advanced technology to streamline the mortgage process, combined with our commitment to providing new ways for intermediaries to engage. This makes us a deserving winner for this award."

Why we should win:

"At Santander for Intermediaries, everything we’ve done this year has started with one simple question, what do brokers need from us right now?

We know the pressures brokers face, changing rates, tight deadlines, complex cases, and clients who need clarity and reassurance. That’s why we reset our approach in 2025 with our pledges shaped by broker feedback – no dual pricing, a minimum 24 hours’ notice of product withdrawals and an improved product transfer process.

We’ve made it easier to speak to underwriters, improved affordability and LTV limits to help brokers place more cases, extended new build offers, and given brokers greater flexibility with products transfers because when they can move quickly and confidently, their clients benefit.

We’ve also used our voice to push for wider change across the industry, because we believe brokers deserve a system that works better for everyone.

We’d be incredibility proud to be recognised as Mortgage Lender of the Year. We’re committed to being the partner brokers can rely on. And we’re only just getting started."

Why we should win:

"At The Cambridge, we pride ourselves on building strong, long-term relationships with brokers and supporting them to deliver the best outcomes.

We aim to be flexible, accessible, and solution-focused, helping brokers place business with confidence. By looking for ways to say yes, supporting a wide range of customers while maintaining responsible lending, we make it easier to achieve successful outcomes.

We would be incredibly grateful for your support to be nameed Mortgage Lender of the Year."

Why we should win:

"Choose Aldermore because we back real landlords with real ambitions — not perfect portfolios.
In a year that’s been full of regulatory change, shifting tax pressures, and unpredictability in the market, we’ve stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with brokers and their landlord clients. We’ve delivered stability, straight answers, and flexible solutions when they’ve mattered most.
We’re committed to supporting everyone from first‑time landlords to experienced portfolio investors, helping them navigate complexity with confidence. We take the time to understand layered income, company structures, specialist properties, and the real‑world challenges landlords face day to day.
For brokers, we’re more than a lender — we’re a partner who helps you get the complex right, first time.
Clear criteria. Human underwriting. Practical decisions.
That’s what makes our buy‑to‑let proposition stand out.
And that’s why we feel we should win Best BTL Lender this year."

Why we should win:

"Brokers are the number 1 priority for Coventry for Intermediaries and understanding what is important for brokers and their clients is critical"

Why we should win:

"Brokers want a lender they can rely on – one that is knowledgeable, transparent, honest, flexible and willing to find solutions even for the most complex cases. At Keystone, we strive to deliver all of this every day.
Over the past year, we’ve expanded our product range, strengthened our funding base and invested in technology and processes, but only in ways that truly benefit brokers and help them work more efficiently. This relentless focus on brokers and pursuit of continuous improvement is what sets us apart from our peers.
Winning this award would be a huge honour, recognising the dedication of our team over the past 12 months and our ongoing commitment to innovation, service and operational excellence."

Why we should win:

"This year has been transformational for our buy to let proposition.

The launch of Rely represents a major step forward for OSB Group and demonstrates our continued commitment to the intermediary market. Designed with brokers at its core, the brand provides a clear, accessible route for placing buy to let cases while maintaining the specialist expertise landlords rely on.

Alongside this, InterBay continues to support brokers with more complex buy to let and commercial transactions, ensuring intermediaries have access to the right expertise regardless of case complexity.

The response to the launch of Rely has been extremely positive, with strong engagement from brokers and encouraging feedback from both intermediary partners and internal teams. Early performance indicators highlight the success of the new brand, including:

•	Over 500 brokers registered in the first week of launch alone, this has now reached 4,269
•	2,569 applications and 494 completions since launch
•	Registration can be completed in minutes 

Broker feedback included:
“I was sceptical when Rely first came along – every lender says they’re the best. But fair play, they’ve smashed it. Proper flexibility, cut the re-underwriting right down, and built a clean, sleek system. Well done! You’ve changed the game.”
Aron Engel, Director at DAS Finance

By investing in brand clarity, technology and broker support, we believe we’ve created a buy to let proposition that genuinely makes a difference for intermediaries.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved this year and remain committed to supporting brokers and landlords as the private rented sector continues to evolve."

Why we should win:

"We should win Best Buy-to-let Lender of the Year because we have made practical, broker-led improvements across the areas that matter most: a smoother application journey, clearer case visibility and communication, and accessible expert support when cases are more complex. 

Over the last year, we have continued to draw on our unrivalled experience built through 30 years in the market whilst evolving. This has seen us widen the range of business that brokers can place with Paragon and landlords we support across both specialist and more mainstream buy-to-let lending, 

We have combined technology investment with service investment, strengthening our underwriting and sales support model so that brokers can progress applications with confidence. 

Our in-house mortgage origination platform supports faster decisions and more efficient processing for straightforward cases, while still enabling underwriting support when a case is nuanced. 

We have also continued to develop products and criteria that reflect landlord needs, while maintaining strong credit quality and lending momentum throughout the year.

Alongside the lending proposition, we support brokers with education and thought leadership, sharing timely and topical insight through reports, podcasts, commentary and data-led updates on key market and regulatory developments. 

Taken together, this reflects a clear commitment to improving outcomes for brokers and landlord customers, and a proposition that is performing strongly and evolving in step with the market."

Why we should win:

"Why we deserve your vote

With more than 25 years of experience, we continue to build on our strong foundation in later life lending, always keeping advisers, customers and the wider market at the heart of what we do. Our commitment means our product range evolves to match customer expectations and adviser insight, letting us deliver clear, flexible and responsible solutions.

In 2025, we launched Lifestyle Flexible Advantage (LFA), designed with input from advisers and customers to offer greater choice, enhanced usability, and features like Direct Debit repayment. Alongside this, we refreshed Lifestyle Max to meet the needs of customers requiring higher borrowing, supported by our in-house surveying team to keep cases moving smoothly.

Our performance in 2025 clearly shows the impact of our enhanced propositions. Market share rose to 14.4% (up from 13% in 2024), reaching 15.7% in Q4 after LFA’s launch. Overall sales grew by 23%, helping 4,300 customers unlock equity from their homes. These results underline the trust advisers have in our products and support.

We boosted our support for advisers through education and engagement. Over 1,500 advisers joined our 2025 webinar programme, with 96% rating sessions as meeting or exceeding expectations. Our Intergenerational Wealth series drew more than 7,600 registrations, showing strong interest in demographic and financial planning trends. Engagement with Aviva Connect also grew, with 1.9 million visits to the platform and 20,000 to the Webinar Hub, offering advisers a reliable, always-on destination for learning and updates.

While many providers reduced face-to-face contact, we invested in expanding our distribution team to deepen adviser relationships. This has helped advisers get the technical guidance and real-time support they need in a complex and highly regulated market.

Service remained a cornerstone of our success. In 2025, our presales team handled 45,000 adviser queries, answering 99% of calls within an average of 17 seconds and completing 84% of mailbox demands in 3–4 hours. Our Equity Release Operations team managed 95,070 customer calls, answered 94% within 1 minute 46 seconds, and consistently delivered administration above 90% performance.

Distributor feedback ranked us number one for speed to offer and completion time, while customer advocacy grew stronger, with a Transactional Net Promoter Score of 72.

We also made notable progress in setting robust sector standards. Our application decline rate stayed below 7%, supported by early flood-risk screening integrated into our quoting system and detailed pre-sale suitability assessments. This helps advisers and customers gain certainty early on.

The efforts in product innovation, adviser support and operational excellence during 2025 earned us awards for adviser training, customer service and later life lending. These honours reflect our commitment to clarity, consistency and meaningful improvements that benefit advisers, customers and the wider market.

Our journey continues as we look forward to further strengthening our proposition and support, helping more people confidently access the equity in their homes while maintaining high standards throughout the sector."

Why we should win:

"Our later life lending proposition is built around a simple principle: everyone deserves the chance to live in a home that supports the life they want — at every stage of life.

We help older borrowers stay in homes they love or move into homes that better suit their needs.
We take the time to understand real circumstances through our trusted broker partners — not through tick-box lending.
We recognise that homeownership timelines have changed. Parents and grandparents often support younger generations, and our Joint Borrower / Sole Proprietor solution continues to grow as a vital tool for intergenerational support.

Darlington Intermediaries is a lender that adapts — to people, to society, and to the realities of later life.
And that’s why we believe we deserve your vote."

Why we should win:

"Over the past year, Family Building Society has demonstrated genuine leadership, innovation and impact in a market where many later life customers continue to be underserved. As a true intergenerational lender, we have improved criteria and enhanced our product range to help people at every stage of life achieve their housing goals. 

We were one of the first lenders to be at the forefront of later life lending. We know that lending into retirement can be more complicated. We also know that many brokers aren’t aware that standard mortgages are available to over 65s. So we’ve been working hard to help educate brokers to advise holistically. Plus, in a difficult market, later life lending could be a new potential income stream they may not have previously considered.

We are a true intergenerational lender and have strengthened our JBSP proposition, increased LTV and loan limits, and relaunched our enhanced Family Mortgage, offering up to 100% LTV with flexible security options. These solutions empower families to support one another in both directions — helping younger buyers onto the ladder and enabling adult children to assist parents later in life.

We have also improved affordability across our range, increasing borrowing potential by up to 25% for residential customers and 35% for BTL, giving brokers greater flexibility and delivering better outcomes for clients. Our manual underwriting approach, collaborative BDM–underwriter model and ‘One Family’ culture ensure we can support complex cases that high street lenders often overlook.

Our achievements have been recognised across the industry, including Legendary Lender of the Year, Best BDM Team, Later Life Lender of the Year and multiple mortgage awards. With outstanding broker satisfaction scores and active involvement in shaping future policy, we are not only improving our own offering — we are helping drive meaningful progress across the wider industry.

At Family Building Society our brokers are at the heart of everything we do. As our CEO often says, "Without brokers, we wouldn't have a business or a job".  

Thank you for all of your support over last year. 

We take great pride in how we do things, and it works."

Why we should win:

"We should win because we have stood firmly behind this market, through uncertainty, regulatory change and challenging conditions, always advocating for advisers and customers in later life. We continue to deliver the broadest product range, the strong support tools and the clear education to help advisers succeed and customers make confident financial choices.
Our innovations, from ProView to Omni to our more2life rebrand, prove our dedicated commitment to progress and clarity within responsible lending. Your vote supports a team dedicated to empowering advisers, unlocking housing wealth responsibly, and shaping the future of later life lending for the better."

Why we should win:

"All of us at Pure Retirement have remained committed to delivering great outcomes for advisers and consumers alike. This has taken the form of ongoing product innovation, market-leading adviser support, as well as an understanding of where we fit into the wider lifetime mortgage ecosystem and embracing the role we’ve got in enhancing its reputation. Highlights have included:

•	Launching an interest servicing option across our Heritage lifetime mortgage range, offering discounts of up to 0.65% for customers making monthly payments from just 25% of the monthly interest
•	BDMs attending over 1,150 appointments of which 71% have been F2F
•	Increased industry recognition via 120 pieces of press release coverage and 20 thought leadership pieces
•	Educating the market with regular releases of demographic and loan usage data
•	Completing 170 marketing toolkit requests, providing more advisers than ever with free marketing support to help them reach potential clients, and adding new assets in 2026
•	Updating our Emerald range to offer fixed early repayment charges (ERCs) for just seven years, and all of our products are available with no arrangement and valuation fees
•	Remaining involved with the Equity Release Council, including staff members chairing both the Lender and Policy & Communications forums
•	One of only 17 lenders across the entire financial services industry to receive a five-star rating in the Smart Money People H2 Benchmark
•	The development of a customer-facing blog section which offers content designed to widen client knowledge"

Why we should win:

"Specialist lending works best when brokers and lenders operate as genuine partners.

Professional investors and developers are increasingly structuring property strategies across multiple stages, from acquisition and refurbishment through to stabilised long-term ownership or completed development. Brokers therefore need lenders who combine expertise, accessibility and certainty of delivery.

At Hampshire Trust Bank, our focus is simple: to provide brokers with clear answers, pragmatic underwriting and the confidence that complex cases can be structured successfully. That is supported by direct access to experienced decision-makers, Relationship Managers who maintain continuity through the process, and the stability of a bank funding model that enables consistent delivery.

Across Specialist Mortgages, Bridging Finance and Development Finance, we help brokers support clients through different stages of their property journey rather than solving a single transaction in isolation.

For these reasons, we would be proud to be considered for Specialist Lender of the Year."

Why we should win:

"A vote for us is a vote for a lender that views every application as a partnership rather than a transaction. We believe we deserve the Broker Vote because we combine the agility of a fintech with the nuanced expertise of a dedicated specialist partner.

Proof in Performance
Our commitment to service is not just a marketing claim; it is evidenced by our 4.3 Trustpilot score and an increase in our NPS offer score from 70 to 75 in 2025, our completion score is ahead of the 55 target at 67 and we have increased on boarding from 55 to 70. These figures reflect our "common-sense" approach, looking for reasons to say "yes" when automated systems say "no."

A Lender with a Conscience
We believe that a healthy business starts with a healthy culture. We are a proud signatory of the Mental Health Charter, an active partner of the charity Mind, and we lead the way with internal ED&I working groups. By investing in the wellbeing and development of our people, we ensure they are energised and equipped to support our brokers’ businesses.

LendInvest is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. We launched a Mortgages Intern Programme in London and Glasgow to mentor young talent and build the next generation of finance professionals. To promote a healthy work-life balance, we championed hybrid and remote working policies, allowing for greater flexibility. The company also provided a robust Employee Assistance Programme, which includes mental health support, demonstrating our commitment to employee well-being.

The Specialist Choice
We stand by our brokers with transparency, innovation, and a commitment to ethical lending. We don't just provide products; we provide solutions that strengthen the entire mortgage industry."

Why we should win:

"We believe Pepper Money deserves to win because we’ve done far more than launch new products or tweak processes. We’ve worked to change the pace of specialist lending, setting new expectations for fairness, speed, flexibility and clarity. In a year defined by uncertainty, we delivered innovations that truly mattered: simplified BTL packaging, higher LTVs, support for Working Visa customers, and Pepper Flex, a breakthrough that helped us say “yes” more often without adding cost or complexity.

But innovation alone doesn’t earn trust. Service does. And this year, we re‑engineered our entire broker experience so you can speak directly to decision‑makers, get clarity before a DIP, and progress cases without friction. Our “second opinion before decline” approach means we never stop searching for a solution, and our culture ensures you always feel supported, not left waiting.

We’re also proud to have contributed meaningfully to the industry beyond lending. Through our Shared Ownership Whitepaper, Specialist Lending Study, and national education campaigns, we helped challenge misconceptions and widen access for customers who often feel overlooked. And through our Be More You wellbeing programme, we invested in the resilience and mental health of the broker community, because supporting you is just as important as supporting your customers.

The proof is in the response: over 450 five‑star Trustpilot reviews and being named the #1 specialist lender in both H1 and H2 by Smart Money People. These achievements reflect not just performance, but partnership.
We would be honoured to have your vote, not because of the awards we’ve already earned, but because of the work we’re committed to continuing. Work that ensures specialist lending remains flexible, human, responsible and accessible for every customer who needs it, and every broker who supports them.

Thank you for considering Pepper Money and thank you for everything you do for customers every day."

Why we should win:

"Why should Together win Specialist Lender of the Year at the Financial Reporter Awards?
With a 52 year track record, the strength of 900 colleagues, and long-term market demand behind us, 2025/26 saw Together deliver:
📌 £300m+ in average monthly lending, growing our loan book to £8.1bn
📌 15% growth in intermediated business 
📌 Expanded product capability: Semi Commercial, second charge, Heter Iska and new Premier for Intermediaries service 
📌 Rate reductions, higher LTVs, broader assets, larger loans
📌 Faster execution with AVMs used on 84% of cases and an average 50 day funding time
But our proudest achievement?
Putting broker education at the heart of our strategy.
We launched the Together Onboarding Academy, partnered with L&G as headline sponsor of the new L&G Academy, embedded ourselves into sourcing tools like MBT and Brickflow, and made our commercial range easier than ever to understand with dynamic, criteria-led content.
This is what leadership looks like: product innovation, market growth, operational excellence and real investment in brokers.
If this award should go to the lender moving the market forward, vote Together."

Why we should win:

"In 2025, brokers and customers showed us we’re on the right track. We maintained an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating all year, with 83% of all reviews being 5 star. Our customers also scored us a brilliant +49 Net Promoter Score. That kind of feedback matters to us because it shows that service isn’t just something we talk about - it’s something you genuinely feel when you work with us.

Last year, we’ve pushed even harder to support our intermediary partners. We launched the Premier Hub to give key brokers faster, more personalised service. And Mobi, our AI-driven lending criteria chatbot, has already chatted through more than 23,000 queries, giving instant clarity for specialist cases, day or night, 24/7.
We also stand by one of our boldest commitments: the Vida Service Pledge. If anyone feels they’ve had anything less than excellent service, we’ll refund the application administration fee. Simple, fair and genuinely customer first.

And we didn’t stop there. We’re helping more people buy their first home with 3 & Easy our 97% LTV range designed for renters, young families and first time buyers, supported by our continually evolving affordability criteria. We added a cashback package to ease rising moving costs. And we expanded our BTL range with Holiday Let, Consumer BTL and Let to Move On.

If you think great service should feel human, helpful and efficient - vote for Vida."

Why we should win:

"If we are fortunate enough to be shortlisted, we would ask brokers to consider one simple question: who supported you consistently when the market tightened?

At Lendhub, we believe specialist lending is not about volume; it is about judgement. It is about having direct access to decision-makers, transparent communication throughout the lifecycle of a deal and beyond, and capital that behaves predictably.

Over the past year, we have invested in infrastructure, people and partnerships not for optics, but for longevity. We have scaled responsibly, structured intelligently and delivered consistently.

If your experience with Lendhub reflects those values, we would be honored to earn your vote."

Why we should win:

"Our difference is that we combine the flexibility and responsiveness of a specialist lender with the purpose, stability and trusted commitment of a mutual, a combination brokers and distributors consistently tell us is rare in today’s market.

We’ve invested heavily in the things brokers say matter most: access to real decision‑makers, a Buddy model that gives every case named support from enquiry to completion, extending our bridging range and criteria - shaped directly by broker insight. It’s why we’re increasingly the go‑to lender for bridging finance, including the underserved regulated market, and large loan cases, complex income, unusual properties and lending on multiple complexities.

And because we’re a mutual, our success doesn’t leave the business, it powers reinvestment in customers, colleagues and our community. 

This includes:
• Launching Thrive Forward, a £250k programme supporting 1,000 young people with mental health, financial capability and employability, now expanding due to demand
• Transforming our head office into a true community hub, growing from 60+ events in 2024 to 200 events for 4,500+ people in 2025
• Building a culture colleagues are proud of, reflected in our Sunday Times Best Place to Work recognition

Market Harborough Building Society isn’t just growing, it’s leading by example. We’re showing that specialist lending can be human, inclusive and purpose‑driven, and that mutuality can be a powerful force for brokers, customers and communities alike."

Why we should win:

"Here at MT Finance we work hard to ensure we are supporting you and your clients via our selection of short-term lending products. We pride ourselves on our flexibility and transparency as well as our problem-solving approach to lending. We will always do everything we can to find a solution that works and are acutely aware that each case should be assessed on its individual merits. 

Thank you in advance for your support."

Why we should win:

"Octane Capital is more than a lender — we’re a partner brokers trust to deliver results, even in the most challenging markets. In 2025, we won three major industry awards, introduced innovative lending solutions, and maintained speed, clarity, and service that other lenders struggle to match.

We empower brokers with practical, creative solutions, guide them through complex deals, and provide the confidence to place business knowing we’ll deliver. Every day, we focus on making the process smoother, faster, and more effective — so brokers can focus on what matters most: their clients.

For anyone voting in this category, Octane doesn’t just meet expectations — we redefine them. Vote Octane Capital and back the lender that brokers rely on to make the impossible happen, every single time."

Why we should win:

"Roma Finance is the lender that stands behind brokers. We protect their reputation, support their clients, and deliver the speed, certainty, and expertise that short‑term finance demands. We invest in our people, our technology, and our communities and we remain committed beyond completion.
If you want a lender who champions brokers, empowers borrowers, and strengthens the industry, Roma is your winner."

Why we should win:

"Admiral Money is built for brokers who want to deliver value speed, flexibility and certainty to their customers. 

In our launch year, we delivered £250m+ of lending in just 12 months through controlled distribution and sensible lending. We’ve backed this with genuine innovation,  including bespoke ERC schedules and a re‑engineered valuation approach. that’s delivered market‑leading turnaround times."

Why we should win:

"The entire secured loan team deserves to win this award because they work tirelessly: day in- day out and to one simple belief: that certainty beats speed. A same-day offer means nothing if it falls apart at the finish line. A team that doesn't string brokers along and that makes decisions quickly - even when it's not what someone wants to hear. This team deserves to be recognised because quietly and without applause, they're doing secured lending the right way."

Why we should win:

"Nortons benefit from the experience of lending in 2nd charges for over 30 years , if you want a solution based, criteria driven lender for truly complex capital raise cases then look no further."

Why we should win:

"If we’re fortunate enough to be shortlisted as finalists, we would be honoured to earn your vote, because every improvement we’ve made this year has been designed with you, the broker community, at its heart.

We believe we deserve to win because we have worked relentlessly to make second charge lending faster, fairer, and more accessible. We’ve delivered bold product innovation, streamlined processes, and meaningful digital transformation, all while maintaining our position as the number one lender in the market and continuing to champion the industry through education and thought leadership.

But above all, we’ve shown up, consistently - with the service, dedication, and partnership that brokers rely on. When the market was challenging, we backed brokers with more solutions. When processes needed to be faster, we simplified them. When industry awareness needed lifting, we led the conversation.

We haven’t just supported the growth of the second charge market, we’ve helped shape it. And we are proud to continue raising standards for brokers and customers alike."

Why we should win:

"At Selina, we believe that 2nd charge lending shouldn’t be a 'last resort' or a bureaucratic headache—it should be the most flexible tool in a homeowner’s financial toolkit. In the last year, we haven't just tweaked our criteria; we’ve completely re-engineered the lending journey to solve the two biggest frustrations brokers face: consent delays and rigid products.

By rolling out Pre-Consent Funding for loans up to £100,000, we’ve effectively removed the two-week 'black hole' spent waiting for 1st charge lenders. Coupled with our Hometrack AVMs and under 2-hour underwriting turnaround, we’re now delivering completions in as little as 4 days. But speed is nothing without flexibility, which is why our HELOC 2.0 remains the only product on the market that gives your clients a revolving line of credit with zero ERCs.

We’re incredibly proud to be a Certified B Corp, proving that high-growth fintech can be ethical and transparent. We’re not just here to lend; we’re here to help you provide a modern, agile solution for clients who need capital without the cost of a full remortgage. If you value a lender that prioritises your time and your client’s freedom, we’d be honoured to have your vote."

Why we should win:

"Accord’s USP lies in our identity as a building society—an organisation with customers at its heart and a genuine commitment to helping more people access safe, sustainable homeownership. That purpose guides every decision we make and shapes the support we provide to the intermediary market and continues to fuel our lobbying efforts that aim to effect change and remove barriers.
A defining strength is our culture of common sense lending. In 2025, 31% of our lending required decisions outside standard criteria, reflecting our belief that real customers don’t always fit into rigid policy. We work collaboratively with brokers and underwriters to understand each scenario, applying sound judgement and fairness to achieve responsible outcomes.
Our BDMs also play a critical role in shaping our proposition. They bring the voice of the broker back into Accord, ensuring product and criteria improvements reflect real world challenges—from widening first time buyer access to supporting responsible landlords to improving criteria for clients without indefinite right to remain.
We pair this flexibility with accessible, proactive service. While technology and AI help us deliver efficiencies, we remain committed to something equally important: ensuring advisers can always speak to a real person. Direct access to decision makers, human understanding and genuine partnership are central to how we operate."

Why we should win:

"Leeds Building Society exists for its members, not shareholders — and that difference shapes everything we do.
From helping people buy their first home to paying savers significantly more than the market average, our focus remains on delivering real value for the people we serve. 
We are not the largest Building Society in the industry, but given our size we are one of the most significant. We have been the voice of the people when various political changes have been posed, from championing the saver and protecting ISA allowances to how the industry can best support the housing market and the reform that is needed. 
Our innovation in products have led to a domino effect in the market where we have seen others follow suit - with Leeds setting the trend in many instances."

Why we should win:

"Our commitment to intermediaries and their clients is as strong today as it’s always been. The trust intermediaries have shown in us has been recognised with many industry awards. We guarantee to always be here, working hard to deliver the service intermediaries and their clients deserve."

Why we should win:

"Nottingham Building Society should win this category because we’ve delivered meaningful progress for intermediaries in 2025, not through noise or short-term volume, but through clarity of strategy, strength of relationships, brand-building and delivery against real broker needs.

Our 100% intermediated model allows total focus on underserved borrower segments. Data-led insight has shaped new propositions, while innovative collaborations with partners such as MQube have transformed decision-making. These improvements have enabled us to support more complex cases with greater speed and consistency.

Our sales team is a core differentiator. Mortgage-qualified professionals, many developed internally, bring deep technical expertise and continuity that brokers trust. Long-term relationships sit at the heart of how we operate, ensuring advisers receive expert support.

We’ve successfully modernised our 176-year-old brand to reflect how we truly work today: open, flexible and inclusive. Brokers consistently tell us the refreshed brand signals confidence in complex lending and a genuine willingness to say “yes” when others won’t. Strategic sponsorships, industry engagement and diversity initiatives reinforce our commitment to inclusion, mental health and representation.

Together, this combination of purpose, people, innovation and delivery makes Nottingham Building Society a standout intermediary partner and a worthy winner of this award."

Why we should win:

"Skipton stands apart because we deliver innovation with purpose, underwriting with common sense and a genuine long-term commitment to brokers, members and customers. Our market leading Track Record and Delayed Start products are testament to how we find innovative solutions to real world client problems. 
We champion intermediaries through meaningful action, ensuring our innovation, communication and personal support align with what brokers tell us matters most. 
Our model gives brokers direct access to empowered underwriters, enabling real conversations, pragmatic decisions and faster outcomes. Brokers value the consistency and clarity this brings, alongside responsive BDMs who are trusted for their expertise and problem-solving ability. 
Initiatives such as Skipton Listens and Skipton Talks ensure two-way dialogue shapes our strategy, giving brokers direct influence over decisions. When feedback indicated the product transfer process needed improvement, we transformed it - introducing digital rate acceptance to remove friction and improve client experience. 
Most importantly, broker trust remains exceptionally strong: 91% satisfaction and increasing advocacy reflect confidence in our service, criteria and partnership approach. Brokers consistently return to Skipton because they trust us to support their business and deliver great outcomes for their clients. 
Our use of the Skipton Group Home Affordability Index demonstrates industry leadership, providing brokers with meaningful insight while supporting wider conversations on affordability and homeownership accessibility. And our product innovation as mentioned above has helped thousands of first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. 
Skipton should be recognised as Building Society / Mutual of the year because everything we do is guided by our purpose: to help more people own their own home. As a mutual, our success is measured not in profit, but in the lives, we help change, the members we support and the communities we serve."