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Award Categories

The categories for the 2027 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.

We strongly advise you enter as many relevant categories as possible to increase your chances of collecting a trophy. The awards aim to celebrate the successes of 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 2027

  • Entry deadline 29 January 2027
  • Shortlist April 2027
  • Awards ceremony 6 May 2027

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.

    This year, new categories have been introduced including Credit Broker of the Year and Best Marketing Campaign of the Year. The awards aim to celebrate the successes of organisations, teams, and individuals who have excelled within the region.

    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

    Entries must be submitted prior to 11.59pm on the entry deadline date.

    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
  • Entrants are encouraged to limit submissions to two entries per category; further submissions may not be considered.
  • 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 the entry deadline day
  • Entrants are expected to send at least one representative to attend the in-person ceremony.
  • Entries submitted by companies that have undergone administration, liquidation, or significant restructuring will be subject to review to ensure continuity of operations, leadership, and client commitments.
  • The Yorkshire Financial Awards reserves the right to disqualify entries where there are concerns about corporate governance, financial stability, or ethical business practices.
  • The judging panel has the final authority to determine whether an entry meets the spirit and intent of the awards.
  • The Yorkshire Financial Awards reserves the right to remove any entries or finalists that do not meet the above criteria or that, in the judges’ discretion, could undermine the integrity of the awards.

Have a question…

For information on sponsorship, contact Jack Knight:

jack.knight@barkerbrooks.co.uk

0113 521 6085

For information on your entry, contact Jake Saunders:

jake.saunders@barkerbrooks.co.uk

0113 867 2191

Providers

  • Accelerator of the Year

    Open to all business accelerator and incubator programmes in Yorkshire 

    1. How has the accelerator/incubator contributed to the success of participating businesses? Provide specific examples of outcomes such as funding, growth, or market entry. 
    2. What types of support services (e.g., mentoring, workshops) does the accelerator/incubator offer? How do these services benefit the participants? 
    3. What high-specification facilities or unique features does the accelerator/incubator have that benefit the participants? 
    4. How satisfied are your participants with the accelerator/incubator programme? Include testimonials or case studies. 
    5. What impact has your programme had on your local business community and economy in Yorkshire? Include testimonials or case studies. 
    Enter Now
  • Insurance Broker of the Year

    Open to all brokers of any insurance line in Yorkshire 

    1. How do you measure customer satisfaction? Provide evidence of high satisfaction and retention rates amongst your customers. 
    2. Describe your team or organisation’s expertise, knowledge and experience. How does this expertise benefit your clients? 
    3. Provide examples of recent business growth, such as new client acquisition or market expansion. 
    4. How diverse and competitive is your pool of insurer partners, and how does that translate into positive outcomes for your clients? 
    5. What impact do you have on the wider community? Outline any local community projects andcharitable activities, and third-party recognition of your impact. 
    Enter Now
  • Employer of the Year

    Open to all providers of financial services in Yorkshire 

    1. What career development opportunities do you offer your employees? Provide examples of training programmes and career progression. 
    2. How do you foster a positive workplace environment? Include examples of initiatives that promote employee satisfaction and wellbeing. 
    3. How do you promote diversity and inclusion within your organisation?    
    4. What unique or outstanding benefits do you offer your employees? Provide examples.  
    5. What impact do you and your employees have on the wider community? Outline any local community projects, charitable activities, and third-party recognition of your impact. 
    Enter Now
  • Independent Financial Adviser of the Year
    Open to all independent practitioners offering financial advice in Yorkshire
    1. How do you ensure high levels of client satisfaction? Provide testimonials or case studies that demonstrate successful client outcomes. 
    2. How do you stay current with industry developments? Include examples of continuous professional development and accreditation. 
    3. Outline how your knowledge and expertise bolster the services that you provide to your clients. Provide examples. 
    4. Describe any innovative approaches or technologies you use in providing financial advice. 
    5. How do you empower or educate your clients and wider community to make sound financial decisions? Provide details, e.g. participating in community education or financial literacy programmes. 
    Enter Now
  • Insurer of the Year

    Open to all issuers of insurance policies in Yorkshire 

    1. How do you achieve high customer satisfaction? Provide ratings and feedback related to customer service. 
    2. Describe any innovative insurance products or services you have introduced. How have they impacted the market?  
    3. Provide evidence of your significant presence or growth in the insurance market. 
    4. Outline how your business’ knowledge, expertise and ethical practices make it a frontrunner in the financial and insurance industries. Provide examples.  
    Enter Now
  • Lender of the Year

    Open to all loan providers in Yorkshire 

    1. How do you achieve high customer satisfaction? Provide evidence of your customer service quality and client feedback. 
    2. What innovative lending products or solutions have you developed, and how do they position you as a market leader? Describe their impact. 
    3. Provide examples of your market growth, and the diversity of your book of business. 
    4. Outline how your business’ knowledge, expertise and ethical practices make it a frontrunner in the finance industry. Provide examples. 
    5. How are you making a difference to the wider community? Provide details of community development or support programmes, the impact your business has had , and any third-party feedback. 
    Enter Now
  • Mortgage Broker of the Year

    Open to all mortgage brokers and intermediaries in Yorkshire 

    1. How diverse and competitive is your pool of mortgage providers , and how does this translate to positive outcomes for your clients? Provide specific examples or case studies. 
    2. How do you measure and ensure high customer satisfaction? Provide evidence and testimonials. 
    3. Describe your knowledge and experience of the mortgage market. How does this benefit your clients? 
    4. How do you ensure compliance with lending regulations and maintain ethical standards? Provide examples. 
    5. How do you go above and beyond the competition in making an impact? Outline community financial education or support projects, or innovative processes and technologies that make your services stand out. 
    Enter Now
  • Mortgage Provider of the Year

    Open to all providers of mortgages in Yorkshire 

    1. How do you achieve high levels of customer service and satisfaction? Provide evidence and feedback. 
    2. What innovative mortgage products have you introduced? Describe their impact on the market. 
    3. Provide evidence of your significant presence or growth in the mortgage market. 
    4. How do you ensure compliance with mortgage lending regulations and ethical standards? Provide examples. 
    5. How are you involved in community housing or support initiatives that benefit the Yorkshire region? Provide details. 
    Enter Now
  • Restricted Financial Adviser of the Year
    Open to all individuals who offer restricted financial advice within an organisation in Yorkshire
    1. How do you deliver positive outcomes for your clients? Provide examples or case studies. 
    2. How do you ensure you’re adhering to professional and ethical standards? Outline how you ensure customers are recommended appropriate products. 
    3. What makes your restricted financial advice service stand out from the competition? Describe your knowledge, experience, expertise, or any innovative methods or tools you use. 
    4. How do you receive and use client feedback? Provide testimonials or positive feedback examples. 
    5. How do you empower or educate your clients and wider community to make sound financial decisions? Provide details, e.g. participating in financial literacy education or through innovative tools. 
    Enter Now
  • Small Financial Business of the Year

    Open to all businesses in financial services with an annual income of £5m or less in the previous financial year

    1. How have you demonstrated significant business growth and market presence over the past year? Provide key metrics and examples. 
    2. How do you ensure a high level of employee engagement and satisfaction within your organisation? Provide examples and feedback. 
    3. Detail any unique financial products or services you have developed and their impact on your client base. 
    4. How does your business differentiate itself from competitors in the financial industry? 
    5. What initiatives have you undertaken to promote financial literacy and education within the Yorkshire community? 
    Enter Now
  • Wealth Manager of the Year

    Open to all wealth managers providing financial management and wealth advisory services in Yorkshire, including managing estate planning and assets of affluent individuals in Yorkshire

    1. How diverse and competitive is your offering, and how does this translate to positive outcomes for your clients? 
    2. How do you ensure high levels of client satisfaction?  Provide testimonials or case studies. 
    3. Describe how your knowledge, experience, and expertise in wealth management and financial planning benefits your clients. 
    4. What makes your wealth management service stand out from the competition? Describe any innovative methods, technology, or tools you use. 
    5. What impact are you making beyond your immediate client base? Outline any community or charitable activities, or third-party feedback. 
    Enter Now
  • Credit Broker of the Year

    Open to all FCA-authorised credit brokers operating in Yorkshire, excluding mortgage-only brokers (please see our Mortgage Broker category)

    1. How do you measure customer satisfaction? Provide evidence of high satisfaction, repeat business, and positive client outcomes.

    2. Describe your team or organisation’s expertise, regulatory knowledge and experience in credit broking. How does this benefit your clients and support responsible lending?

    3. Provide examples of recent business growth, such as new client acquisition, increased lending volumes, or market diversification.

    4. How wide and competitive is your panel of lenders or finance providers, and how does that translate into better outcomes for your clients?

    5. What impact do you have on the wider community? Outline any financial inclusion efforts, education initiatives, or charitable and community engagement, as well as any third-party recognition.

    Enter Now

Products and Initiatives

  • Best ESG Campaign

    Open to all financial services organisations in Yorkshire 

    1. What ambitious ESG targets has your organisation set, and what impact have they had on environmental, social, or governance issues? Provide specific examples. 
    2. Describe any innovative approaches used in your ESG campaign. How have they addressed ESG challenges and ensured long-term sustainability and lasting impact? 
    3. How are your organisation’s senior leadership taking a top-down approach to planning, setting, and executing ESG activities? Outline at least one recent campaign that demonstrates this approach. 
    4. How have you involved stakeholders in your ESG campaign? Provide examples of feedback or engagement from stakeholders. 
    5. How has your ESG campaign benefited the local community or environment beyond your organisation? What recognition have you received from third parties for these efforts? 
    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. Describe the fintech initiative being put forward: how do its aims, capabilities, marketing, and delivery meet the needs and requirements of the business/industry? 
    2. How innovative is your fintech initiative? Describe its uniqueness, originality, and any inventive aspects developed to make it stand out in the market. 
    3. How seamlessly has your initiative been adopted by users? Provide evidence of adoption rates and customer satisfaction. 
    4. What is the potential for your initiative to scale and be applied more broadly? Provide details on its potential or measured impact on the local financial ecosystem or economy. 
    5. What recognition has the initiative received from third parties, and how has it benefited the local financial ecosystem or economy? Provide examples. 
    Enter Now