Commercial Broker Awards 2026 – Winners revealed
Lancashire Cricket Club at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, was buzzing with energy as it played host to the largest-ever NACFB Commercial Broker Awards.
A record 650 industry guests gathered to celebrate broking excellence, cheering on winners as they took to the stage to collect their accolades across 26 prestigious categories. Engagement reached new heights this year too, with more than 430 entries submitted – a 25% increase on last year – and a 16% rise in participating NACFB Member firms.
The ceremony was hosted with wit and warmth by comedian Suzi Ruffell, whose sharp, no-nonsense humour kept the room entertained and the day running like clockwork. The seventh annual NACFB Commercial Broker Awards was proudly sponsored by HSBC UK as headline sponsor, with further support from VAS (wine) and Reliance Bank (charity prize).
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Michelle West, founder of the NACFB’s charity partner, The Sam West Foundation, took to the stage to share her moving story. Guests rallied behind the cause afterwards with a lively game of Heads and Tails, raising vital funds for the charity. In an incredible act of generosity, Allica Bank’s Nick Baker donated a remarkable £5,000 to the cause. The winner of the game, Leigh Clark from HSBC UK, walked away with a brand-new Apple iPad Air. Congratulations Leigh!
Reflecting on the day, NACFB CEO Jim Higginbotham said: “I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make the seventh NACFB Commercial Broker Awards such a success – from our wonderful host, Suzi Ruffell, to the judges, winners, highly commended entrants, and all those shortlisted. I’m also grateful to our sponsors, particularly headline sponsor HSBC UK, along with our valued support sponsors.
“These awards not only highlight the very best in broking but also celebrate the firms pushing boundaries and helping to shape the future of our industry. I’m immensely proud that the NACFB sits at the heart of such a thriving community.”
All highly commended entries and overall winners were decided by combining the insights of an expert judging panel with votes from Patron lenders and Partner suppliers. To ensure impartiality, submissions were anonymised where appropriate. Categories involving only organisations were anonymised, while those featuring individuals – or a mix of individuals and firms – were not. Each Patron/Partner firm was also limited to five votes per category to maintain fairness.
Further details of the process can be found here.
The winners and highly commended in each category are:
Asset Finance & Leasing Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by Haydock Finance
Winner: Synergi Finance
Highly commended: Channel Finance Group
Asset Finance & Leasing Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Aldermore
Winner: Charles & Dean Finance
Highly commended: Rural Finance
Bridging Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by Alternative Bridging Corporation
Winner: Hectocorn Group
Highly commended: 978 Finance
Bridging Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Together
Winner: Propp
Highly commended: FRP Real Estate Advisory
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by Hampshire Trust Bank
Winner: Word On The Street
Highly commended: Dovecote Property Finance
Buy-to-Let Mortgage Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Barclays
Winner: DMI Finance
Highly commended: Real Finance
Commercial Broker Network of the Year – sponsored by YBS Commercial Mortgages
Winner: White Rose Finance Group
Highly commended: Synergy Commercial Finance
Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by NatWest
Winner: Clifton Private Finance
Highly commended: Ross Commercial Finance
Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Lloyds Bank
Winner: Watts Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Cornerstone Finance Group
Development Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by Assetz Capital
Winner: Positive Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Beta Commercial Finance
Development Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Roma Finance
Winner: FRP Real Estate Advisory
Highly commended: Real Finance
Industry Leader of the Year – sponsored by Funding Circle
Winner: Haydn Thomas – Cornerstone Finance
Highly commended: Andrea Reynolds – Swoop Finance
Industry Specialist of the Year – sponsored by Close Brothers
Winner: Synergi Finance
Highly commended: PMD Business Finance
Intermediary Excellence Award – sponsored by Momenta Finance
Winner: PMD Business Finance
Highly commended: Cornerstone Finance Group
Invoice Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by Bibby Financial Services
Winner: Beta Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Evolve Business Finance
Invoice Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Time Finance
Winner: Leonard Curtis
Highly commended: PMD Business Finance
Northern Irish Broker of the Year – sponsored by NACFB
Winner: Johnston Financial Solutions
Highly commended: Enduro Finance
Pioneering Broker of the Year – sponsored by Allica Bank
Winner: Acorn Business Finance
Highly commended: Spark Finance
Rising Star of the Year – sponsored by Shawbrook
Winner: Rebecca Blaymires – Watts Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Chelsea Stewart – Property Finance Group
Highly commended: Bea Khoshaba – Rainstone Money
Scottish Broker of the Year – sponsored by ScotLend
Winner: Ross Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Drummond Finance
Service Excellence Award – sponsored by HSBC
Winner: PMD Business Finance
Highly commended: Charles & Dean Finance
Short Term Finance Broker of the Year (1 to 3 brokers) – sponsored by YouLend
Winner: Panthera Consultancy
Highly commended: Plutus Business Finance
Short Term Finance Broker of the Year (4+ brokers) – sponsored by Reward Funding
Winner: Charles & Dean Finance
Highly commended: Propp
Unsung Hero of the Year – sponsored by Ultimate Finance
Winner: Barbara Curzon – Watts Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Alice Manby – Charles & Dean Finance
Welsh Broker of the Year – sponsored by Novuna
Winner: Bathgate Business Finance
Highly commended: HH Business Finance
Women’s Advocate Award – sponsored by Cambridge & Counties Bank
Winner: Emma Ross – Ross Commercial Finance
Highly commended: Skylark Asset Finance