Judges revealed for NACFB Commercial Lender Awards 2025

The judging panel for the NACFB Commercial Lender Awards 2025 has now been confirmed. This year’s awards attracted a record-breaking 428 entries across 22 categories from the Association’s Patron lenders and Partner suppliers – representing a 35% increase in submissions and a 24% rise in participating firms compared with last year. 

A panel of experts from recognised industry stakeholders are now assessing the entries to help determine the winners and highly commended entries.  

This year’s full judging panel is: 

• Alejandro Gonzalez, Asset Finance Group Editor, Leasing Life 

• Alex Waterman, Principal, Invoice Finance & Asset Based Lending, UK Finance 

• Andrew Richardson, Marketing Director, British Business Bank 

• Andrew Robinson, CEO, Arc & Co. 

• Aysha Fernandes, Director, Commercial Finance, UK Finance 

• Bob Lefroy, CEO, Business Money 

• Frazer Campbell, Co-founder & Chief Revenue Officer, Brickflow 

• Gary Cain, Head of Business Services, Leonard Curtis 

• Harry Madan, Head of Compliance & Governance, British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) 

• Jake Horwood, Senior Manager & Economist, British Business Bank 

• Jess Bird, Managing Editor, The Intermediary 

• John Kent, Managing Director, White Rose Finance 

• Katrin Herrling, CEO & Co-founder, Funding Xchange 

• Lee Tillcock, Managing Editor, Business Moneyfacts 

• Marc Champ, Managing Director, Wharf Financial  

• Martin McTague (OBE), National Chair, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) 

• Matthew Davies, Director, Commercial Finance, UK Finance 

• Mike Conroy, Director, Commercial Finance, UK Finance 

• Mike Geddes, Group Legal & Compliance Director, AFS Compliance  

• Nazenin Kucukcan, Assistant Director, Debt Finance, Small Business Growth Directorate, Department for Business and Trade 

• Nicki Clark (OBE), Chief Executive, We Are UMI 

• Norman Chambers, Executive Relationship Director, Fiducia  

• Richard Huston, Managing Director & Co-founder, Vamos 

• Robin Skuse, Editor, Broker World 

• Simon Goldie, Director of Business Finance & Advocacy, Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) 

• Simon Moorcroft, CTO & Co-founder, Sorodo 

• Theo Hadjimichael, Chief Executive, Responsible Finance 

• Trevor Williams, Co-founder & Chair, FXGuard / Independent Economic Consultant  

• Vic Jannels, CEO, Bridging & Development Lenders Association (BDLA) 

• Wayne Gibbard, Partner, Shoosmiths 

The judges, who have been provided with guidance on how to review submissions individually and fairly, will review submissions to help determine the shortlist in each award category.   

Commenting on the judging process, NACFB events manager, Becky McGarrity, said: “When making their selections, the judges will look for clear evidence that entrants have met the specific criteria of each category. From sector champions to supplier partners, the awards showcase the full breadth of talent across firms, teams, and individuals.” 

“Judging these awards is never an easy task, and we are deeply grateful to our panel for the time, care, and dedication they bring to the process,” she added.

To ensure impartiality, entrant’s names and identifying information have been redacted in all categories except Industry Leader of the Year, Intermediary Advocate, Rising Star of the Year, and Unsung Hero of the Year. 

Shortlisted entrants will be notified (under embargo) by email ahead of the public shortlist announcement later this month. 

NACFB Member brokers will then be invited to cast their votes, with a maximum of five votes per organisation to ensure fairness. Voting will remain open for one week.  

The winners and highly commended in each category are determined based on the combined results of the judges’ selections and the Member votes. A formula is used to calculate the final results, blending judges’ scores with the industry vote.  

Awards ceremony and tickets 

Winners and highly commended entries will be revealed at a prestigious awards ceremony on the evening of Thursday 27th November 2025, held at London’s Westminster Park Plaza. 

Early bird tickets  are now available to NACFB Patron lenders and Partner suppliers until  5pm on Friday 31st October 2025  and are priced at  £405 +VAT  per person. Tables of ten are also available for purchase.   

After the early bird deadline, tickets for Patrons and Partners will increase to  £445 +VAT  per person. Depending on availability, a limited number of tickets will also be made available to non-NACFB Patrons and Partners, priced at  £499 +VAT.   

All tickets include a welcome drink on arrival, a three-course meal, half a bottle of wine per person and entertainment. Full details of the celebration, including this year’s host, will be revealed soon. 

Sponsorship 

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities remain and those interested are asked to contact the events team for more information via events@nacfb.org.uk