That winning feeling – what it means to our #FRA24 finalists

After our judges narrowed down all the brilliant applications to 122 finalists across 25 categories, the readers had the final say, with thousands of you taking part in our Brokers’ Vote to decide the winners of #FRA24.

While the votes are being counted, we’re looking at how our finalists feel about making it this far and what it would mean to them to take home the award...

Underwriter of the Year Finalist

It’s a lovely surprise! I am honoured to be shortlisted in this year’s awards.

Emma Barker, Together Money

Adviser of the Year Finalist

Winning a Financial Reporter award would be an incredible achievement for both me and Our Mortgage Broker. It would symbolise the culmination of relentless dedication and hard work by our entire team. This recognition would validate our commitment to excellence in the financial advisory sector and inspire us to continue striving for greatness. It would also serve as a testament to the trust and satisfaction of our clients, reaffirming our position as leaders in the industry.

Akhil Mair, Our Mortgage Broker Limited

Best Technology Provider Finalist

Winning the FRA24 award for Best Technology Provider would be a testament to how much time and commitment we put into our customer service and support offering. Not only do we aim to be the best technology provider in terms of the software offering, we also want brokers to feel like they can confidently come to us with any concerns and feel like they can be re-assured and supported by our teams. Winning this award would prove that, as well as our unrivalled and continued efforts to be at the forefront of innovation in the mortgage tech market, as the core of OMS is a system built for brokers by brokers.

Jodie Andrews, One Mortgage System

Rising Star Finalist

It would be such an achievement to win an FR award! It would mean the world to be highlighted as an individual in recognition of my success in the industry and provide such a great platform for myself. As a business, it provides amazing exposure and recognition to be a finalist, let alone win an award!

Cam Levitt, Avamore Capital

Adviser of the Year Finalist

Recognition and credibility within the industry. It will validate my efforts. I work very hard for my client base, and it will be a huge moral boost personally. I [think] it will enhance my reputation, visibility, and overall success.

Simone Riley, Elite Force Mortgages

Adviser of the Year Finalist

In what has been one of the toughest years we have faced for some time, it would mean everything! We’ve all worked hard to keep our clients informed, keep them calm and keep them abreast of the changing climates we are working in. We’ve all worked tirelessly, constantly changing rates, post offer to ensure the best outcome for all our clients. Not just me, not just my team, but every broker in the industry. Really, every broker deserves an award for the year we have witnessed, but from a personal level, it would mean so much, especially given it is nominated by my peers whose view I respect so much. For the business, I hope it elevates Prolific to a position that I feel it should be and hope it helps all the team get the recognition for the hard work they put in day in, day out.

Lea Karasavvas, Prolific Mortgage Finance

Specialist Broker Firm of the Year Finalist

We are honoured to even be considered in these prestigious awards. We have a fantastic and hard-working team at Impact, and this is testament to them and the excellent results they achieve daily in helping brokers and their clients get the right mortgage.

Winning an award is fantastic and means the world to the staff involved who work tirelessly day in day out to help clients. They are the engine of any business and truly deserve the recognition.

Dale Jannels, Impact Specialist Finance

Underwriter of the Year Finalist and Best Specialist Lender Finalist

On a personal level winning will make me feel special and proud to be noticed for my work. It will be an opportunity for me to meet new and like-minded people but above all hope that my winning will encourage others that through passion, hard work, humility, and dedication you can achieve anything! For Bluestone Mortgages Ltd it will increase our exposure in the Specialist Mortgage Sector but more importantly show that we are doing our job - offering the best possible products and services to all our stakeholders.

Lawrence Yeboah Kyeremeh, Bluestone Mortgages Ltd

BDM of the Year Finalist

It would mean so much. Personally, it will mean a great deal as I extremely proud of what I do and genuinely always look to add value so winning would really show the value that I add. I work extremely hard so winning this would also show that the hard work is really appreciated and makes a difference to the broker partners that I work with. As a business our Business Development team is very important as we work with our broker partners and educate them on the complex lending market and our proposition to help more of their customers borrowing needs so winning will be brilliant for the company as it will show the value the business development team as on our broker partners.

Lee Williams, Saffron for Intermediaries

Rising Star Finalist

Winning the award would validate the time and effort I put into my work. It gives an up-and-coming business awareness that it deserves. Not only that but it will create more energy within the team; it builds morale.

Rita Kohli, The Mortgage Stop Limited

BDM of the Year Finalist

I would be collecting it on behalf of myself and amazing account manager Michelle. I couldn’t do this without her, and winning would just prove we're doing something right and hard work pays off.

Hayley Callaghan, MovinLegal

Adviser of the Year Finalist

Winning the Advisor of the Year Award isn't just about personal recognition – it's about making a real impact. It's my chance to reach a wider audience, connect with industry leaders, and to disseminate information and educate others about the benefits of equity release for retirement planning. I want to be at the forefront of reshaping perceptions and advocating for fair treatment of vulnerable customers. I want to inspire others to join the movement, driving positive change and delivering outstanding outcomes for every customer!

Hayley Larham, Age Partnership

Broker Firm of the Year (up to 10 employees) Finalist

Winning an #FRA24 award, especially considering the short time since our launch, would be an extraordinary achievement. It would highlight not just the strength of our business model and the quality of our service, but also our rapid growth and the successful implementation of our vision. It would highlight our commitment to excellence and serve as a milestone, enhancing our reputation and trust to potential customers.

Daniel Watson, Kerr & Watson

BDM of the Year Finalist

For me it would mean that you really can be excellent at your job even while learning, not knowing everything, and learning as you go. It’s not always what you know, but how you deal with something! That fundamentally it’s about doing the basics excellently and caring! Sowing passion and drive and working closely with your intermediately firms to provide the best service possible to ultimately enable them [to] offer the best to the consumer.

Lara Stanley, Virgin Money

Broker Firm of the Year (50+ employees) Finalist

Any recognition always goes a long way. We pride ourselves on our over 2000 trust pilot reviews from our customers and we know they see the value we bring, or they wouldn't invest the time to share their experience. To get an industry award would mean that our peers also see what we offer and have a standard to strive toward. When an industry is so heavily regulated it's very challenging to stand out as a business, so this allows us the opportunity to shout about our success. Winning this award allows our broker family to feel an integral part of the win. It highlights what each and every one of them contribute on a daily basis and allows them to share that with their own customers. It encourages and motivates each of us and leaves us safe in the knowledge that we are getting this right. Keep going, even when it’s tough as we are being seen.

Felicity Barnett, The Mortgage Brain

Best Mortgage Club Finalist

We are delighted to have been announced as a finalist; it's been another challenging year for our market, and we have tried our best to support directly authorised firms in a wide variety of ways, particularly in meeting their Consumer Duty requirements.

Paradigm

Broker Firm of the Year (up to 10 employees) Finalist

It would mean everything to win this award, we love doing what we do. We have been in the business for 18 years now and winning this award would be the cherry on top of the cake.

Xpress Mortgages

Broker Firm of the Year (50+ employees) Finalist

Winning a #FRA24 award would mean so much to myself and Habito. It would be fantastic recognition for the dedication, hard work and our relentless pursuit of making mortgages easier.

Ying Tan, Habito

Best Second Charge Lender Finalist

As a privately owned and independent business, Equifinance faces formidable competition from large banking corporations and financial institutions in the industry. Therefore, winning the award would signify a true accomplishment and acknowledgment of our contribution.

Laura Thomas, Equifinance

Best Legal Services Provider Finalist

Great - it's amazing to be up against some of the bigger firms in the industry. As a challenger brand who wants to revolutionise the conveyancing process - we're truly thrilled to be making such an impact in the industry already.

Roxanne Garside, Fix My Legals

Rising Star Finalist

With this being my first ever award within the financial sector, I feel this would be a great achieve & enhance my career moving forward. Since I have already been nominated, I have received inquiries from people on LinkedIn asking me for mortgage advice & recognition from some senior individuals in the industry to help build my network of connections & contacts. Furthermore, when approaching new business relations, it shows you're good at what you do & their clients are going to be taken care of moving forward with the customers best interest at heart.

William Mawson, MAB New Homes

Specialist Broker Firm of the Year Finalist

Winning the Financial Reporter award would represent a significant milestone both personally and professionally. Moreover, it would enhance the visibility and reputation of Clever Lending, opening doors to new opportunities and partnerships. Ultimately, winning this award would not only be a testament to my hard work but also a catalyst for continued growth and success in the industry for Clever Lending.

Clever Lending

Best Network Finalist

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. Our proposition, we feel, makes us the best network to be at, and we’d love this to be recognised by the wider industry.

The Right Mortgage & Protection Network

Underwriter of the Year Finalist

I feel very honoured and would like to thank all those who took the time out to vote and wanted to wish the other finalists good luck.

Jemima Hayes, Market Financial Solutions

Best Green Lender/Provider Finalist

Winning this award would be a testament to the energy and dedication that both my team and the Society itself have put into leading the way on green mortgages. Our own green agenda and commitment to local community initiatives are the beating heart of our Society, and to be recognised for our achievements on this would be the pinnacle of pride for us all.

Hinckley & Rugby Building Society

Best Technology Provider Finalist

Winning Best Technology Provider at the Financial Reporter Awards always holds an extra special place knowing that it is voted for by brokers. However, the recognition from even being nominated motivates us even more to continue pushing boundaries and creating new standards in the industry, striving for excellence for our wonderful clients.

360 Lifecyle