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Award Categories

The categories for the 2024 Yorkshire Financial Awards

The Yorkshire Financial Awards categories are open to everyone involved in financial services within Yorkshire, from outstanding trainees to regional directors, as well as wealth managers, financial advisers and fintechs. The purpose of the awards is to celebrate the successes of those organisations, teams and individuals who have excelled within the region.

Find the categories and criteria, key information and links, and the all-important buttons for the entry form below. Good luck!

Key dates and deadlines General rules and requirements

Key Dates for Your Diary

All the dates you need for the Yorkshire Financial Awards 2024

  • Tickets on sale MARCH
  • Shortlist APRIL
  • Awards ceremony 2 MAY 2024

The Yorkshire Financial Awards 2024 is now open to submissions.

Submission deadline: 16 February 2024

The Yorkshire Financial Awards provides a unique oppportunityTwo images from Yorkshire Financial Awards 2023 - the top features a group of winners crowded onto the stage accepting an award, the second features two glamorous women smiling and holding glasses of champagne to highlight and celebrate the excellence across financial services in the UK’s biggest financial hub outside of London.

The Yorkshire Financial Awards categories are open to organisations, individuals, and teams working in the region’s finance sector. The awards cover multiple areas, from wealth management to insurance, and recognise the achievements of individuals, teams and organisations.

The Yorkshire Financial Awards celebrates this growing, varied sector through a local lens, pitting national providers with offerings in Yorkshire against local leaders with glowing reputations in their communities.

The awards culminate in a black-tie ceremony and dinner, held in Leeds, where the finalists meet, network and celebrate as a local profession.

How to enter How to win Rules and requirements Contact us Register now to enter

How to enter

  • Pick your categories

    There are lots of categories to choose from and you can enter as many as you wish.

    Read the criteria carefully for each and decide which will give you the best opportunity to demonstrate your strengths.

    The criteria is in a Q&A format, so follow this closely to provide the independent judging panel with a clear, easy-to-follow submission and include all of the information requested. Rest assured, the process is entirely confidential.

  • Choose the form of your award submission

    Make sure every submission is unique for the category that you’re entering.

    We accept written submissions of between 250 and 1,000 words per category (please note: this is in total, not per criterion).

    Written submissions are at their best after several drafts, with input from everyone involved. Remember that your submission needs to stand out from the crowd, so keep it active, free of jargon, and don’t forget to proofread your words before entering.

    Alternatively, you can enter a video submission. You’ll have a maximum of three minutes to demonstrate why you, your team or business should win the particular category. Videos are easy to digest and revisit, and they allow the judges to put a face to an entry.

    Please note, we are no longer accepting video files. To submit a video, you must upload it to a third-party platform such as YouTube or your own website and supply a link (ensure that the video is private or password protected before submitting).

  • Submit via the form

    Submissions can only be accepted via the entry form.

    Fill out all of the required information. There are mandatory fields for the person providing the submission as well as the subject of the submission.

    If you are putting an organisation forward for an award, eg, Company X for Insurer of the Year, mark the fields under the Nominee heading with an ‘N/A’ except for the Company name field and make sure you choose the correct category from the list. Doing so reveals the correct category criteria and fields in which to paste your submission. The form must be filled out and submitted for every category.

    The form removes all formatting, so don’t worry about italics, bolding, underlining or hyperlinking, as these won’t make it through our system. Furthermore, no supporting documents and attachments are allowed, so don’t use the attach buttons for CVs, promo videos, PDFs and Word docs—these won’t make it through our system, either.

    For written submissions, input your 250 to 1,000 words in the provided fields. To reveal these, click on your chosen category.

    For video submissions, fill out the form (except the criteria fields) and paste the link to your video into the one of the criteria fields (alternatively, email the video link to sammy.kinlough@barkerbrooks.co.uk).

  • Attach your logo

    If you make it to the shortlist, we’ll need a high resolution version of your logo for the ceremony and marketing campaigns. We accept the .JPEG, .PNG and .PDF formats, but prefer .EPS wherever possible. If you don’t have this, don’t worry.

  • Attach nominee’s photo

    This is for the talent categories. Colour photos are preferred, wide, horizontal shots work well, and high resolution .JPEG is best.

  • Sit back and wait for news

    That’s it, you’re done! Approximately two weeks following the submission deadline, our judging panel will convene to make their decisions. We’ll then get in touch with every finalist to give them the good news.

How to win

It’s all about being memorable and compelling:

  • Start early. Give yourself plenty of time to carefully evaluate the criteria for the categories you’re entering and provide a well-produced submission before the entry deadline.
  • Check the criteria. Each category has its own criteria, and each submission should be unique.
  • Provide evidence. Include as many results and evidence of success as you can, including testimonials. Judges are there to be swayed, so sway them.
  • Keep it simple. Write or speak clearly and concisely so the judges can quickly understand the points you’re making.
  • Consult with the relevant team. Collaborate on your submission as you do your work, and ensure that your whole team contributes.
  • Be enthusiastic, transparent, and honest. Inspire the judges by sharing your organisation’s ethos and passion for your work without trying to pull the wool over their eyes. Honesty is the best policy.
  • Redraft and revise. Once your submission is ready, start again and interrogate every fact and figure. Are they correct? Question every claim. Is that true? Weigh your language. Is that a helpful term or an empty buzzword?Two images from the Yorkshire Financial Awards. The first shows two men in tuxedos talking and networking in a busy dark room with lots of colourful lighting in the background. The second shows a man playing a saxophone and another man playing a drum which is around his neck on the stage at the awards ceremony.

General rules and requirements

  • Entrants must be based in Yorkshire or provide services in Yorkshire
  • Entrants can enter as many categories as they wish
  • Submissions must be unique and tailored to meet the criteria of each category
  • Self-nomination is required
  • Written and video submissions are accepted – both must follow the criteria format
  • Submissions can be made until 11.59pm on entry deadline day
  • Entrants are expected to send at least one representative to attend the in-person ceremony
  • The Yorkshire Financial Awards reserves the right to remove any entries which do not meet the above criteria

Have a question…

Harry ThomasFor information on sponsorship, contact Harry Thomas

harry.thomas@barkerbrooks.co.uk

+44 (0)113 521 6091

Harry ThomasFor information entering the awards, contact Harry Thomas

harry.thomas@barkerbrooks.co.uk

+44 (0)113 521 6091

Providers

  • Accelerator of the Year

    Open to all business accelerator and incubator programmes in Yorkshire 

    1. What is accelerator/incubator’s approach to encouraging and supporting local entrepreneurs and startups?
    2. In what ways are the accelerator/incubator’s facilities (physical and digital) high-specification?
    3. To what extent are the accelerator/incubator mentoring and partner services best in class?
    4. What case studies can the accelerator/incubator provide demonstrating portfolio/client businesses’ success and the contribution of the accelerator/incubator?
    5. What recognition has the accelerator/incubator received from third parties for its efforts? 
    Enter Now
  • Broker of the Year

    Open to all brokers of any insurance line in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is the insurance broker’s pool of insurer partners? 
    2. In what ways are the insurance broker’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the insurance broker in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the insurance broker strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the insurance broker’s offering above and beyond its competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Employer of the Year

    Open to all providers of financial services in Yorkshire 

    1. How does the employer support professional development and advancement for employees? 
    2. What initiatives has the employer undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health? 
    3. Has the employer created jobs in Yorkshire? If so, how many, in what areas and to what end? 
    4. What outreach does the employer undertake, in order to attract talent and raise awareness about the business? 
    5. What recognition has the employer received from third parties for its efforts? 
    Enter Now
  • Financial Adviser of the Year

    Open to all individuals who offer financial advice within an organisation in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is the financial adviser’s financial products/services? 
    2. In what ways are the financial adviser’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the financial adviser in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the financial adviser strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the financial adviser’s offering above and beyond their competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Independent Financial Adviser of the Year (New!)

    Open to all independent practitioners offering financial advice in Yorkshire  

    1. How diverse and competitive is the financial adviser’s pool of financial product providers? 
    2. In what ways are the financial adviser’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the financial adviser in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the financial adviser strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the financial adviser’s offering above and beyond their competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Insurer of the Year

    Open to all issuers of insurance policies in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive are the insurer’s routes to market (eg, broker network, D2C offering)? 
    2. In what ways are the insurer’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the insurer in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the insurer strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the insurer’s offering above and beyond its competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Lender of the Year

    Open to all loan providers in Yorkshire 

    1. How voluminous and diverse is the lender’s book of business? 
    2. In what ways are the lender’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the lender in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the lender strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the lender’s offering above and beyond the competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Mortgage Broker of the Year

    Open to all mortgage brokers and intermediaries in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is the mortgage broker’s pool of mortgage providers? 
    2. In what ways are the mortgage broker’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the mortgage broker in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the mortgage broker strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the mortgage broker’s offering above and beyond its competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Mortgage Provider of the Year

    Open to all providers of mortgages in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive are the mortgage provider’s routes to market (eg, broker network, D2C offering)? 
    2. In what ways are the mortgage provider’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the mortgage provider in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the mortgage provider strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the mortgage provider’s offering above and beyond its competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Wealth Manager of the Year

    Open to all wealth managers in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is the wealth manager’s offering? 
    2. In what ways are the wealth manager’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the wealth manager in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the wealth manager strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the wealth manager’s offering above and beyond its competition? 
    Enter Now

Products and Initiatives

  • Best ESG Campaign (New!)

    Open to all financial services organisations in Yorkshire 

    1. What ambitious ESG targets has the organisation set? 
    2. In what ways are the organisation’s senior leadership taking a top-down approach to planning, setting and executing ESG activity? 
    3. Outline at least one recent campaign that best demonstrates the organisation’s dedication of resources, strategic planning and execution and delivery of results in pursuit of its ESG ambitions. 
    4. What steps is the organisation taking to continue achieving progress in the pursuit of its ESG ambitions? 
    5. What recognition has the organisation received from third parties for its ESG campaign? 
    Enter Now
  • Fintech Initiative of the Year

    Open to all in-house fintech teams and fintech companies in Yorkshire (fintech initiatives must be have been released in the past 12 months) 

    1. Tell us about the fintech initiative (technology-based tool, IOT initiative, technique, or system) being put forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet needs and requirements? 
    2. What is the potential of the initiative? 
    3. What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition? 
    4. Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the initiative to market? 
    5. What recognition has the initiative received from third parties? 
    Enter Now
  • Innovative Product of the Year

    Open to all financial services organisations in Yorkshire (services and products must be have been released in the past 12 months) 

    1. Tell us about the product or service being put forward: how does its aims, capabilities, marketing and delivery meet customer needs and requirements? 
    2. What is the potential of the product/service? 
    3. What are its unique selling points and what differentiates it from the competition? 
    4. Are there any inventive or innovative aspects that have been developed to bring the product or service to market? 
    5. What recognition has the product/service received from third parties? 
    Enter Now

Achievements

  • Outstanding Achievement Award

    Open to all individuals, teams and organisations working within financial services in Yorkshire that have made a major positive contribution to the sector in the region within the past 12 months 

    1. Tell us about the achievement being putting forward: how is it demonstrably outstanding? 
    2. To what extent was the individual/team/organisation’s contribution vital? 
    3. What were the immediate benefits to relevant stakeholders? 
    4. What about ongoing benefits? 
    5. Since the outstanding achievement, how have the learned knowledge and experience been shared so that they can be replicated? 
    6. What recognition has the achievement received from third parties? 
    Enter Now
  • Outstanding Customer Service Award

    Open to all individuals, teams and organisations working within financial services in Yorkshire that have demonstrated excellent customer service in the region within the last 12 months 

    1. Tell us about the customer service example being put forward: how is it demonstrably outstanding? 
    2. To what extent was individual/team/organisation’s contribution vital? 
    3. How did the individual/team/organisation go above and beyond expectations for the customer? 
    4. Since the example of outstanding customer service, how have the learned knowledge and experience been shared so that they can be replicated? 
    5. What recognition has the example of outstanding customer service received from third parties? 
    Enter Now

Teams

  • Customer Service Team of the Year

    Open to all teams that deal directly with consumers and business customers in Yorkshire 

    1. How did the team go above and beyond expectations for the customer? 
    2. How has effective teamwork led to successful customer outcomes? 
    3. How well equipped is the team in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. How are innovation and technology used to elevate customer service above and beyond the team’s competition? 
    5. What recognition has the team received from third parties for customer service? 
    Enter Now
  • Financial Adviser Team of the Year

    Open to all organisations and teams providing financial advice in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is the organisation/team’s pool of financial product providers? 
    2. In what ways are the organisation/team’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped are the organisation/team in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the organisation/team strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the organisation/team’s offering above and beyond your competition? 
    Enter Now
  • Investment Team of the Year

    Open to all investment management organisations and teams in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is the organisation/team’s investment management offering? 
    2. In what ways are the organisation/team’s products and services innovative and market-leading? 
    3. How well equipped is the organisation/team in terms of knowledge, experience and expertise? 
    4. To what extent does the organisation/team strive for excellence in customer service? 
    5. How are innovation and technology used to elevate the organisation/team’s offering above and beyond your competition? 
    Enter Now

Talent

  • Director of the Year

    Open to all heads of departments and regional directors working within financial services in Yorkshire 

    1. How and why is the director an outstanding leader? 
    2. Have they significantly contributed to their organisation’s growth? How? 
    3. How do they demonstrate dedication to clients? 
    4. What do they contribute to staff development and welfare?
    5. How does the director contribute to the wider sector or business community? 
    Enter Now
  • Rising Star of the Year

    Open to all individuals working within financial services in Yorkshire 

    1. Why is this person a ‘rising star’ within their organisation or the wider sector? 
    2. What does the rising star do internally to benefit the organisation and push it forward? 
    3. How does the rising star contribute to the wider sector or business community? 
    4. How has the rising star demonstrated a clear commitment to excellence, quality and innovation? 
    5. What is the rising star doing to push on and continue their pursuit for excellence? 
    Enter Now
  • Trainee of the Year

    Open to all individuals on graduate, apprenticeship and training contracts at financial services providers in Yorkshire 

    1. When and how has the trainee demonstrated excellent standards of work? 
    2. When has the trainee gone above and beyond for the organisation? 
    3. How has the trainee contributed to client relationships and/or business development? 
    4. How has the trainee maintained high standards of professional development? 
    5. How does the trainee contribute to the wider sector or business community? 
    Enter Now

Are you ready to enter The Yorkshire Financial Awards 2024?

These awards were developed to celebrate this incredible community, and the achievements and successes of the UK’s best and brightest.

Enter Now How to Enter

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