The NACFB has revealed winners of its Commercial Lender Awards 2025, which took place at Westminster Park Plaza, attracting 857 people from the industry.
Allica Bank picked up the Commercial Finance Lender of the Year, BDM Team of the Year, Commercial Mortgage Lender of the Year and Pioneers of the Year award.
Novuna Business Finance took Asset Finance Lender of the Year, while Octane Capital picked up Bridging Lender of the Year.
Paragon Bank was named Buy-to-Let (BTL) Lender of the Year and Development Finance Lender of the Year.
NatWest was awarded Business Bank of the Year.
Reliance Bank took home Community Lender of the Year and TRIVER was named Emerging Lender of the Year.
Rachael Raymond from Funding Circle was named Industry Leader of the Year.
Doc2 won Industry Supplier of the Year and Ultimate Finance was recognised as Intermediary Advocate of the Year.
Close Brothers Invoice Finance picked up Invoice Finance Lender of the Year.
Other winners included YBS Commercial Mortgages for Marketing Team of the Year, YouLend for Service Excellence Award, Charity Bank for Specialist Lender of the Year, Triodos for Sustainability Champion of the Year, United Trust Bank for Underwriting Team of the Year, Funding Circle for Unsecured Lender of the Year, and Natalie Cockburn from Atom bank as Unsung Hero of the Year.
Guy Olden from Atom bank was named Rising Star of the Year.
The awards were sponsored by Red Flag Alert, with backing from Market Financial Solutions, Recognise Bank, Method Valuation, VAS, Metro Bank, Bluecroft Finance, Colenko, and HSBC.
Jim Higginbotham, CEO of the NACFB, said: “This year, we were delighted to receive a record-breaking 428 award entries from more than 100 lenders and suppliers which made the judges’ job of whittling down a shortlist very difficult, especially as the overall standard of submissions was extremely high.
“In addition to celebrating lending excellence, these prestigious awards give NACFB Members the opportunity to thank the Association’s Patrons and Partners for their continued dedication to supporting brokers and their SME clients.
“While not everyone can take home a trophy, please know that your efforts are recognised, appreciated, and essential to helping fund UK businesses.”
Richard West, CEO of Red Flag Alert, said: “We were incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor of what was the NACFB’s biggest awards night to date.
“The calibre of lenders in the room, the stories behind the deals, and the insights shared throughout the evening all showed just how much talent and dedication sits at the heart of this industry.
“A huge congratulations to the winners and those highly commended – but truly, everyone in that room plays a vital role in keeping the wheels of UK plc turning.”
West added: “It was a privilege for Red Flag Alert to stand alongside you in celebrating that success.”
Phillip Bate, director of business banking at Triodos Bank UK, said: “As a bank with environmental responsibility embedded into our ethos, we’re proud to have been named the first Sustainability Champion of the Year by the NACFB and its members.
“We would also like to commend the NACFB for introducing this important category, as more and more SMEs prioritise having a positive environmental impact.”
