May saw a huge celebration of winners at the Yorkshire Financial Awards 2026
The Yorkshire Financial Awards 2026 returned in spectacular style on Thursday 7 May, lighting up New Dock Hall, Leeds for an unforgettable evening of celebration, recognition and entertainment. As Yorkshire’s financial elite arrived in their finest attire, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation for another outstanding night honouring the region’s leading professionals and organisations.
Guests enjoyed a welcome reception followed by a three-course dinner, as the venue buzzed throughout the evening with energy, conversation and celebration. The event once again brought together the very best of Yorkshire’s financial community for a night to remember.
Host, Entertainment & Setting
The ceremony was hosted by Chris Cox, whose unique act stood out with our audience as something many hadn’t seen before in person. Chris Cox is the only mind-reader in history to have starred on Broadway, sold out twenty-two shows at Sydney Opera House, and performed four seasons at London’s West End. The Guardian believes he is “one of the most exciting entertainers in Britain”, while Time Out thinks, “he does tricks that would make Jesus proud”.
After the trophies had been handed out, the innovative DJ and saxophone live duo, Lux Collective, took to the stage, delivering an unforgettable afterparty that kept guests dancing into the early hours.
With its contemporary design and dockside views, New Dock Hall once again provided the perfect backdrop for a night dedicated to celebrating Yorkshire’s thriving financial services sector.
Head judge’s comments
The independent judging panel reviewed and scored more than hundred submissions from across the Yorkshire financial services communi
ty. It was a heroic effort to whittle down the huge number of submissions we had this year to a shortlist.
Before we find out who the winners our, here’s a few words from Tracey Vegro OBE, Chief Executive for the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), who chaired the independent judging panel.
“As CEO at the CISI, a body that champions the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the financial services sector, I was delighted to have been asked to Chair the Judging Panel for the Yorkshire Financial Awards.
In a world of heightened change and geo-political risk, this Yorkshire region is holding true to its foundations and 2026 is set to be another outstanding year for growth in the financial sector.
Each of us on the Judging Panel want to offer our warmest congratulations to all of you as finalists and especially so to the winners for setting some outstanding standards of innovation, professionalism and client care. The commitment shown to your clients and the emphasis on always meeting the very highest standards stood out. A fantastic set of achievements and many congratulations, once again”
Your 2026 Yorkshire Financial Awards winners
Out of the many submissions that we received, there can only be 1 winner for each category, so lets find out who took home the trophies this year…
FinTech Initiative of the Year
Winner – Finamp
Best Marketing Campaign of the Year
Highly Commended – Evlo
Winner – Leeds Building Society
Support Staff of the Year
Winner – Jo Davey from Robertson Baxter
Customer Service Team of the Year
Winner – PenLife Associates
Outstanding Customer Service
Winner – Yorkshire Financial Services
Insurance Broker of the Year
Winner – Coversure BYB Group
Financial Adviser Team of the Year
Winner – Chase de Vere
Rising Star of the Year
Winner – Robert Earle from Succession Wealth
Trainee of the Year
Winner – Sofia Tate from CHN Financial Consultancy
Credit Broker of the Year
Winner – YB Financial Advisory
Outstanding Female Lead
Winner – Sarah Elson from Berry & Oak
Independent Financial Adviser of the Year
Winner – Sophie Thornhill form CHN Financial Consultancy
Mortgage Broker of the Year
Highly Commended – Ebor Mortgages Ltd.
Winner – Yorkshire Financial Services
Accelerator of the Year
Winner – Nexus and University of Leeds
Lender of the Year
Winner – HEY Credit Union
Mortgage Provider of the Year
Winner – Beverley Building Society
Investment Team of the Year
Winner – Brown Shipley
Insurer of the Year
Winner – The Insurance Emporium
Small Financial Business of the Year
Winner – Bradford District Credit Union
Employer of the Year
Winner – CHN Financial Consultancy
Wealth Manager of the Year
Winner – Brown Shipley
Director of the Year
Highly Commended – Phil Harris from Coppice
Winner – Ian Goodliffe from BDCU
Outstanding Achievement Award
Winner – StepChange Debt Charity
A huge congratulations to all of our 2026 finalists and winners — your passion, innovation and dedication continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this sector.
We’ll be back next year to do it all again — bigger, bolder and even better. Keep an eye out for announcements on the Yorkshire Financial Awards 2027 or you can register your interest to be the first to know at by clicking here!