All the winners of the British Specialist Lending Awards 2022

Congratulations to all the winners and all those shortlisted.

Broker

Rising Star – Distributor sponsored by Precise Mortgages

George Sanford – VIBE Specialist Finance

Judges’ comments: The judges said that the finalist showed an “impressive growth and development trajectory” over the past 12 months, and that their external work with local educational institutions and future ambition “really set them apart”.

Complex Buy-to-Let sponsored by Paragon Bank

Fodi Christodoulou – Sirius Property Finance

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that the winner showed “confidence, excitement and passion” with every deal and this was backed up by “sound technical knowledge”.

Commercial Finance sponsored by InterBay 

Paul Debney – Sirius Property Finance

Judges’ comments: The judges said that the winner’s overall commercial knowledge as a broker “shone through”. They added that he showed “strong support for new talent” and was “fully client focussed”.

Second Charge sponsored by Central Trust

Stewart Simpson – Brightstar Financial

Judges’ comments: The judges concurred that Simpson “cares hugely” and “wants to learn and improve”. They added that he worked hard to improve his personal knowledge and capabilities and “knows the importance of teamwork”.

Bridging and Short-Term Finance sponsored by Market Financial Solutions

Stephen Watts – Brightstar Financial

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Watts was dynamic and knowledgeable, with one adding that he “personifies bridging finance”. They continued that he was “all about the detail”, “confident” and “focused on the right thing”.

Complex Income sponsored by The Mortgage Lender

Rebecca Rider – Partners Wealth Management

Judges’ comments: The judges said that Rider was “gritty and determined” and she “fights for her clients”. They added that she has integrity and would champion the best advice over making a sale. They noted that she has good market knowledge and used a broad range of lenders to secure the best deal.

Administrator sponsored by Pepper Money

Emily Gould – John Charcol

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Gould’s passion and enthusiasm along with her relationship building and overwhelming desire to deliver positive outcomes made her “stand out” in this category.

Lender

Underwriter sponsored by Mortgage Solutions

Adam Kerfoot – Together

Judges’ comments: The judges said that Kerfoot was “credible”, and a “good mentor” who “thinks outside the box”. They added that he was “confident” and had a “genuine desire to go above and beyond”.

Business Development sponsored by Virtus Search

Phillip Pinson – Kensington Mortgages

Judges’ comments: The judges stated that Pinson had “energy, enthusiasm, passion, commitment and a laser sharp focus on delivering great support and outcomes for their broker partners”. They added that all of this made Pinson “stand out” in an “exceptionally competitive category”.

Head of Sales sponsored by Rostrum

Michael Walters – United Trust Bank

Judges’ comments: The judges noted that Walters was a “hands on leader” and that he “leads by example and was happy to get his hands dirty”. They continued that he had “genuine passion and care for his employees and their wider family, making sure they are well looked after”.

Head of National Accounts sponsored by Diversity & Inclusivity Finance Forum

Eloise Hall – Kensington Mortgages

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Hall was “driven, approachable and friendly “ and that she was “dedicated to their partnerships” and has delivered “consistently impressive results” in the last 12 months.

Business Leader

Development & Innovation Advocate sponsored by Roma Finance

Paul Elliott – Propp

Judges’ comments: The judges concurred that Elliott “delivered genuine innovation” that had addressed a “real need in the market and will widen access to finance for many consumers”.

Specialist Distribution sponsored by Hodge

Liz Syms – Connect Mortgages

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Syms showed “impressive business growth, support, learning and management”, and added that she was a “credible leader who leads by example”.

Surveyor sponsored by Mortgage Brain

Chris Bramham – Metropolis Surveyors

Judges’ comments: The judges said that Bramham was a “leader that really does lead their business”. They added that she had a “fair and encouraging approach, delivering positive service levels and several new business wins” in the last 12 months.

Conveyancer sponsored by Saffron for Intermediaries

Karen Rodrigues – eConveyancer

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Rodrigues had a “real passion to invigorate the market and introduce positive change”. They noted that she had “demonstrated impressive people centricity to really inspire their team”.

Bridging Lender sponsored by Specialist Lending Solutions

Gareth Lewis – MT Finance

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Lewis had shown that he knows “all levels of the business with touchpoints at all levels” and had “real knowledge of the market”. The judges said that he was passionate that they “wish they could bottle up his enthusiasm”.

Commercial Finance Lender sponsored by Connect for Intermediaries

Marc Goldberg – Together

Judges’ comments: The judges said that Goldberg “focused on his people, listened to the market and made the right changes”. They said that he made investment in training and was keen to bring new people into the industry. They added that he was “supportive of his team” and “recruited the right people (more underwriters) to support his partners”, and that his investment in technology was laudable.

Complex Buy-to-Let Lender sponsored by TBMC

Elise Coole – Keystone Property Finance

Judges’ comments: The judges agreed that Coole had an “analytical approach to business” and she had a “pin sharp focus on planning and commitment to delivering growth through investment in their people”.

Second Charge Lender sponsored by OMS

Buster Tolfree – United Trust Bank

Judges’ comments: The judges said that Tolfree showed “strong leadership, evident success in growing the business, sheer reach within the business with a demonstration of detail, broad and deep knowledge of business operation and it’s place within the market”.

Complex Income Lender sponsored by SimplyBiz Mortgages

Craig McKinlay – Kensington Mortgages

Judges’ comments: The judges continued that McKinlay had “passion to deliver innovative lending solutions to underserved customers, expand the wider specialist lending market and continue to invest in people and process to achieve outstanding turnaround times for their customers”.

Outstanding contribution sponsored by Landbay

Bob Young

Comments: “This year’s Outstanding Contribution Award goes to an individual who has enjoyed a varied career in both the mortgage and property sectors spanning some 48 years.

“Never one to seek the limelight and put himself above his business he nonetheless places much value in relationships with all parts of the mortgage chain and recognises the part we all have to play in making mortgages happen for our customers.

“His views are sought out by ratings agencies, industry journalists and industry peers, and the market will be the poorer without his well written contributions in the years ahead.”