Your time to shine.
Free to enter, choose from 26 award categories
NACFB Member brokerages of all sizes and specialisms are invited to participate. Enter as many categories as you want making sure that each 300-word submission is unique.
Good luck!
Asset Finance & Leasing Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
Sponsored by: Haydock Finance
This award celebrates small, specialist brokerages that support businesses in securing the vehicles, machinery and equipment they need to grow. Open to firms with up to three brokers, judges will be seeking clear evidence of bespoke advice, market responsiveness and solutions that extend beyond standard offerings. Shortlisted entries are expected to include NACFB Member firms that demonstrate a strong understanding of leasing structures and consistently deliver meaningful outcomes for clients across a range of sectors.
Download entry form.
Asset Finance & Leasing Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
Sponsored by: Aldermore
Celebrating larger firms with four or more brokers, this award recognises those who combine scale with deep expertise in asset and leasing finance. Judges will look for consistent delivery of funding solutions that unlock client potential, alongside proven strength across multiple industries. Shortlisted firms will demonstrate how intermediary insight, strong lender relationships and a client-first mindset underpin successful, sustainable finance outcomes.
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
Sponsored by: Hampshire Trust Bank
This category celebrates boutique and smaller brokerages excelling in support for property investors and landlords. Open to firms with up to three brokers, judges will be seeking high-quality advice across the structuring, placement and ongoing management of buy-to-let portfolios. Shortlisted entrants will evidence strong lender knowledge, tangible client impact and the agility required to navigate changing market conditions.
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
Sponsored by: Barclays
Recognising larger teams delivering outstanding service to the UK’s landlord and investor community, this award is open to firms with four or more brokers. Judges will look for exceptional client care, wide lender access and technical strength in complex portfolio cases. Successful entries will show how expertise has supported sustainable investment growth within an increasingly regulated market.
Bridging Finance Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
Sponsored by: Alternative Bridging Corporation
This award celebrates smaller, specialist brokerages delivering high-quality bridging finance solutions. Open to firms with up to three brokers, judges will be looking for strong advisory input, speed of execution and the ability to structure deals that meet urgent or complex client needs. Shortlisted entries will demonstrate how expertise, judgement and lender relationships combine to deliver effective short-term funding outcomes.
Bridging Finance Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
Sponsored by: Together
Recognising larger firms operating at scale within the bridging finance market, this award is open to brokerages with four or more brokers. Judges will look for consistent delivery of complex transactions, strong lender access and the ability to support clients across a wide range of short-term funding scenarios. Successful entries will demonstrate how scale, expertise and process combine to deliver reliable, high-quality outcomes.
Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
Sponsored by: NatWest
This competitive category showcases smaller firms delivering expert commercial property finance solutions. Open to brokerages with up to three brokers, judges will look for technical excellence, standout client support and effective lender negotiation. Shortlisted entries will often demonstrate success across complex refinancing or acquisition cases for owner-occupiers and investors alike.
Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
Sponsored by: Lloyds
Open to firms with four or more brokers, this award recognises those delivering high-impact commercial property finance at scale. Judges will seek strong examples of strategic advice, technical capability and a client-centred approach. Leading submissions will show how brokers act as trusted long-term partners, aligning commercial finance with wider business objectives.
Development Finance Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
This award shines a spotlight on smaller, specialist brokers helping turn development plans into completed projects. Open to firms with up to three brokers, judges will look for strategic lender placement, risk management expertise and hands-on client involvement. Shortlisted brokers will demonstrate how their guidance has helped developers navigate complexity and deliver tangible results.
Development Finance Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
Sponsored by: Roma Finance
Recognising larger NACFB Member firms at the core of the UK development finance market, this category is open to brokerages with four or more brokers. Judges will expect evidence of complex, high-value funding delivered with creativity and precision. Shortlisted firms will showcase sector expertise, persistence and clear advisory value that has enabled ambitious developments to progress.
Invoice Finance Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
Open to smaller firms specialising in invoice finance, this award celebrates brokers helping businesses release cash tied up in unpaid invoices. Judges will look for strong client education, effective lender matching and ongoing support throughout the facility lifecycle. Shortlisted entries will show how expertise and service have driven lasting improvements in client cashflow.
Invoice Finance Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
This award highlights larger firms delivering consistent success through invoice finance solutions. Open to firms with four or more brokers, judges will seek evidence of strategic client partnerships, deep lender understanding and measurable business impact. Leading entries will demonstrate how scale is balanced with personal service to fuel client growth.
Short-term Finance Broker of the Year
(1 to 3 brokers)
Sponsored by: YouLend
This category recognises smaller brokerages delivering effective short-term finance solutions to support immediate, transitional or time-sensitive client needs. Open to firms with up to three brokers, judges will be seeking evidence of strong advisory judgement, appropriate product selection and clear client rationale. Shortlisted entries will demonstrate how brokers use shorter-term funding tools to solve pressing challenges while supporting better longer-term outcomes.
Short-term Finance Broker of the Year
(4+ brokers)
Sponsored by: Reward Funding
Open to firms with four or more brokers, this award recognises those delivering short-term finance solutions at scale across a broad range of client scenarios. Judges will look for consistency of advice, strong processes and the ability to match clients with appropriate shorter-term funding solutions. Leading entries will demonstrate how firms combine speed, product breadth and responsible advisory to deliver meaningful outcomes in a fast-moving segment of the market.
Unsung Hero
of the Year
Sponsored by: Ultimate Finance
Behind every successful NACFB Member brokerage is an individual whose contribution makes success possible. This individual award recognises non-broking professionals in roles such as operations, compliance, client support or marketing. Judges will look for dedication, resilience and behind-the-scenes impact that has strengthened both client outcomes and internal culture.
Industry Specialist
of the Year
This award celebrates brokers or firms who have become trusted experts within a specific industry sector. Judges will look for deep understanding of client challenges, pressures and ambitions beyond product knowledge alone. Shortlisted entries will demonstrate how tailored insight and funding solutions have made brokers indispensable partners to their chosen sectors.
Rising Star
of the Year
Sponsored by: Shawbrook
One of the most popular categories, Rising Star of the Year recognises exceptional young talent shaping the future of the industry. Judges will look for individuals already making a meaningful impact through professionalism, drive and client-first values, alongside clear leadership potential.
Industry Leader
of the Year
Sponsored by: Funding Circle
This award recognises individuals from NACFB Member brokerages who demonstrate outstanding leadership within the intermediary-led lending sector. It celebrates those who drive success within their own firms while also shaping industry standards, strengthening relationships, and championing best practice. All entries will be judged fairly and on their own merit, so if you know someone whose leadership is making a meaningful impact on the sector, we encourage you to nominate them.
Commercial Broker Network of the Year
Sponsored by: YBS Commercial Mortgages
Recognising principal firms that support appointed representative networks, this award celebrates leadership, collaboration and broker empowerment. Judges will look for NACFB Member networks providing strong governance, practical resources and meaningful support. Shortlisted entries will demonstrate impact and reputation, not just scale.
Service Excellence Award
Sponsored by: HSBC UK
At the core of successful broking is outstanding service. This award honours NACFB Members delivering consistently high standards of support to clients, lenders or fellow brokers. Judges will seek examples of responsiveness, transparency and commitment to outcomes that have built trust, loyalty and long-term relationships.
Scottish Broker of the Year
Open to NACFB Members based in Scotland, this award celebrates brokers delivering exceptional outcomes for Scottish businesses. Judges will look for strong market knowledge, innovation and integrity, alongside evidence of impact on Scotland’s entrepreneurial community. Shortlisted entries will blend national capability with a distinctly Scottish approach to service.
Welsh Broker
of the Year
This award recognises NACFB Members based in Wales who are driving success for Welsh SMEs. Judges will seek demonstrable regional impact, understanding of local funding needs and outstanding client service. Shortlisted firms will act as trusted partners, helping businesses across Wales build resilience and growth.
Northern Irish Broker
of the Year
Celebrating NACFB Members in Northern Ireland, this award highlights brokers delivering high-quality support to local businesses. Judges will look for strong lender relationships, regional insight and compelling client outcomes. Shortlisted entries will demonstrate technical excellence combined with commitment to long-term client partnerships.
Pioneering Broker
of the Year
Sponsored by: Allica Bank
This award recognises brokers and firms redefining what it means to be a modern commercial finance broker. Open to both NACFB Member firms and individuals, it celebrates those using technology, distinctive business models and forward-thinking approaches to respond to a changing market. Judges will look for entrants confronting the challenges of disintermediation, carving out a clear niche, and demonstrating how brokers can remain relevant, trusted and valuable to clients and lenders.
Intermediary Excellence Award
Sponsored by: Momenta Finance
This award recognises NACFB Member firms setting the standard for excellence, integrity and professionalism within the intermediary-led finance sector. It celebrates brokerages that can demonstrate robust governance, strong regulatory adherence, sound processes and a clear commitment to doing business the right way. Judges will look for firms where high standards are evident not only in policies and controls, but in everyday behaviours, decision-making and client outcomes.
Women's Advocate Award
Sponsored by: Cambridge & Counties Bank
This award recognises an individual or firm that is actively championing and advancing the role of women within the commercial finance industry. Judges will be looking for those firm's or individuals driving meaningful change through advocacy, leadership, and support, helping to create a more inclusive and representative sector.
Entry criteria, process, terms & conditions
Entry into the NACFB Commercial Broker Awards 2026 is open to all NACFB Member broker firms only, and their personnel therein.
Each entry must reflect the contribution of Member firms or individuals since June 2025 to the present.
Members can enter as many categories as they deem suitable and enter multiple times in any one category if relevant; however, all entries must be unique.
For each submission, Members have just 300-words through which to convince the judges that they are worthy winners. Additional submitted evidence will not be accepted; however, the judges reserve the right to request more information. Entries must be made using the online submission form.
All entrants must be full NACFB Members in good standing at the point of submission and throughout the judging process. The NACFB reserves the right to disqualify any entrant subject to regulatory action, upheld complaints of significance, or behaviour deemed inconsistent with the Association’s standards.
Entrants must ensure that all claims made within submissions are accurate and can be substantiated if requested. The judges reserve the right to request supporting information to validate any aspect of an entry.
The judging panel is made up of independent industry stakeholders and NACFB Board directors who will be provided with guidance on how to review submissions individually and fairly.
The judging panel will determine the shortlist via a blind review process. To ensure impartiality of judging, entrants names and identifying information will be redacted in all categories except Industry Ambassador of the Year, Industry Specialist of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Unsung Hero of the Year and awards where individuals have been nominated. Entries will not be judged solely on the size of the brokerage; judges will take other elements into consideration including the impact on the borrower’s business, the broker/lender dynamic, and the ability to get deals over the line.
Judges and the NACFB reserve the right, without prior consent of the entrant, to move entries to different categories if they feel it is more appropriate.
Entries will be assessed against a consistent set of criteria, including relevance to category, impact on the borrower, strength of broker-lender relationships, professionalism, and overall quality of submission.
Judges and participating Patrons/Partners must declare any conflicts of interest. Where a conflict exists, the individual will abstain from scoring or voting on the relevant entry.
All information provided to the judges will be used solely for the purposes of assessing the entries. Potentially sensitive information will not be made public.
Before the shortlist is announced, a panel of NACFB Patron lenders will review the proposed shortlist by entrant name only to check that all entrants are eligible to participate.
Once the shortlist is announced, NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers are invited to vote on the shortlist. To ensure fairness, Patron/Partner firms are limited to five votes each per category.
The winners and the highly commended in each category are determined based on the combined results of the judges’ selections and the Patron/Partner votes.
The judges’ decision is final; no correspondence will be entered into and no reasons given for decisions.
The deadline for all entries is 5pm on Monday 15th June 2026. The NACFB reserves the right to extend the deadline if necessary.
The winners will be announced at the NACFB Commercial Broker Awards ceremony at The Lancashire Cricket Club in Manchester on Friday 11th September 2026.
Winners may state in advertising and promotional material that they have won, but they must state the year the award was won.
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