UK Finance Awards 2025 Financial Planning Practice of the Year 2025 & Equity Release Specialists of the Year 2025 – North West England Richard Jones, award-winning Director of Smart Independent Financial Advice Ltd, claimed four silver medals at the World Transplant Games 2025. After receiving a long-awaited third kidney transplant from his sister, Richard’s restored health has ignited a life of renewed purpose, passion, and global achievement— championing the life-changing power of organ donation while continuing his mission to make approachable, first-class chartered financial planning accessible to all.
UK Finance Awards 2025 Phone: 01283 365204 Website: smenews.digital Sofi Parry Senior Editor No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. SME News is proud to present the UK Finance Awards 2025! Now in its seventh year, this prestigious award honours the individuals, teams, and organisations driving excellence across one of the UK’s most essential and fast-moving industries – Finance. From Banking and Fintech to Insurance, Investment, and Financial Consultancy, the Finance sector plays a critical role in shaping the UK’s economic future. It fuels business growth, supports innovation, ensures stability, and empowers individuals and enterprises to thrive. As the sector evolves, so too do the demands – and expectations – placed on those within it. This year’s award spotlights those making a real difference: the innovators, problem-solvers, and forward-thinkers who are redefining what it means to succeed in finance today. Whether through embracing ESG, harnessing AI, championing financial inclusion, or delivering outstanding client outcomes, these professionals and companies are setting new standards for performance and impact. But in an industry transforming at lightning speed – who is truly shaping the future of UK finance?
Contents 4. Smart Independent Financial Advice: Equity Release Specialists of the Year 2025 – North West England & Financial Planning Practice of the Year 2025 6. Ecommpay: Best Global Inclusive Payment Platform 2025 & SME News Client Service Excellence Award 2025 8. BVS Mortgages & Financial Solutions: Best Mortgage & Protection Advisory Firm 2025 – London & Homebuyer Support Excellence Award 2025 10. NxtGen Mortgages: Best Small Mortgage Brokerage 2025 - South West England & SME News Client Service Excellence Award 2025 12. SM Finance Lounge: Best Mortgage Brokerage 2025 & Client Service Excellence Award 2025 13. LMN Bookkeeping Plus: Best Bookkeeping & CIS Support Firm 2025 – Oxfordshire & Tailored Client Service Excellence Award 2025 14. Paramount Wealth Management: Boutique Financial Planning Firm of the Year 2025 – Scotland & Digital Advisory & Client Experience Innovation Award 2025 15. Lune Valley Payroll: Best Specialist Payroll Bureau 2025 – Lancashire & Income Services Excellence Award 2025 16. RS Data Tech Ltd & UK Credit Ratings: Best Credit Agency 2025 & Credit Report Excellence Award 2025 17. Square Mile Connections Limited: Most Client-Focused Banking & Finance Search & Selection Firm 2025 18. LRO Financial Consultancy: Best CFO Services Provider 2025 19. Bluecroft Finance: Best New Bridging Lender 2025 – North West England & Property Finance Innovation Excellence Award 2025 20. Leasys UK Ltd: Best Vehicle Leasing Solutions Provider 2025 – South East England 21. Trevally Capital: SME Lender of the Year 2025
UK Finance Awards 2025/ 4 As well as being recognised of Smart Independent Financial Advice Ltd, Richard Jones Director and financial planner has had his life saved three times. His third and most recent transplant was from his sister Lynsey Hockings from Heswall, Wirral. After losing two previous kidney transplants due to a rare virus, this new gift has restored his health and energy, and Richard returned to his love of swimming after enduring 7 years of daily dialysis. Richard’s stellar performance at the UK Transplant Games in 2024 earned him coveted place at Team GB for the World Transplant Games, held in Dresden, Germany, in August 2025. Competing against top transplant athletes from around the globe, he took part in seven events – and proudly brought home four silver medals in 50m backstroke, 100 backstroke, 200m freestyle and relay event. The UK Finance Awards would like to recognise Richard's other achievements in delivering professional, friendly and clientfocused financial advice across the realms of inheritance tax planning, investments, pensions, trusts, protection, mortgage advice, wills/trusts/lasting power of attorney, and equity release advice. Smart Independent Financial Advice offers everything its clients need to secure the future of their finances, whether this involves achieving a specific financial goal or simply safeguarding wealth for future generations, the firm will deliver. In the world of equity release, a market which is growing year on year, the firm’s Smart Equity Release offering stands out as a result of the experience behind it, the comprehensive approach it delivers, and the minimum of two appointments offered in order to give the client ample time to consider the content of these discussions. As for what will be covered, the firm’s willingness to search the entire market to find the right plan for every client sees Smart Independent Financial Advice cover all of the possible bases for every client. Smart Independent Financial Advice has grown into a valued member of the local community on the back of the reputation it has nurtured for delivering this honest, client-first financial advice, both to people in the region and those further afield. For those in the Wirral, its high-street office in West Kirby and drop-in service make it accessible, whereas its commitment to serving clients through digital channels – such as video calls – means that even those in other parts of England and Wales can access this support. Championing this accessibility at every turn is Richard Jones, whose status as a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser sees him lead the firm with a clear, results-driven mission: to provide knowledge-led, straight-talking advice that puts the client at the front and centre of every decision. Regardless of whether he is supporting an individual in planning their retirement, helping new parents to write their wills, or assisting families looking to reduce their inheritance tax, his method remains mostly unchanged across these services. On the matter of inheritance tax, which has been in the news a lot recently as a result of governmental changes, Richard explained: “Inheritance tax is a complex area, and with the latest budget extending the freeze on tax bands to 2031, more families are being drawn into paying it. Some people simply need clarity on their position, while others require a structured plan to reduce their exposure to what As its name suggests, Smart Independent Financial Advice is built on the belief that everyone deserves professional, autonomous financial advice delivered in a clear-cut manner. This is why the firm, based in the Wirral, removes the unnecessary jargon and explains finance in a way that anyone can understand, empowering its clients to feel wholly confident as they set about building a better financial future for themselves and their loved ones. Director and Chartered Independent Financial Adviser Richard Jones was on hand for more about how his firm can help. Financial Planning Practice of the Year 2025 & Equity Release Specialists of the Year 2025 – North West England Smart Independent Financial Advice
is often an avoidable tax. I take real satisfaction in the peace of mind that a clear conversation can provide.” This, of course, is just one element making up Richard’s encompassing approach to this dynamic market, which is as deep as it is wide as a result of his proven five-stage process being leveraged at every turn. Beginning with the initial consultation – which takes place free of charge either at Smart Independent Financial Advice’s aforementioned office or in the comfort of a client’s own home (virtually or otherwise) – Richard will then undertake thorough research to ensure that the advice collated is both relevant and bespoke. Upon presenting their solution in the third step, Richard will take the time to explain exactly how it aligns with a client’s personal objectives, employing his signature, jargon-free tactics to ensure they leave the meeting feeling confident, informed, and assured of their next steps. From here, and only once they are 100% happy with the recommendation, it is simply a case of sitting back and let Richard take care of the rest, with his clients being kept in the loop via frequent calls, texts, and emails. What follows is an ongoing review service that sees Smart Independent Financial Advice stick by its clients, including meeting them at least once every year to make sure their plans remain on track and discuss any changes that may have happened since. This, the final stage of the process detailed above, captures the essence of the firm’s client-first ethos, which has remained the cornerstone of the practice since day one. It is seen on a bigger scale through the community-minded focus Richard also possesses. “Our approach is rooted not only in professional expertise, but also in genuine care and empathy.” At its core, this can be traced back to Richard’s personal life, which has been filled with difficulties as a result of his health. Having already had three life-saving kidney transplants – the last kidney came from his sister – Richard was able to put many years of dialysis treatment behind him and return, with a renewed energy, to his passion for swimming. His return was marked by success, securing five gold medals in the UK Transplant Games and four silver medals in the World Transplant Games. Richard’s journey has ignited a passion for giving back, and, beyond his business and sporting commitments, a fitting example will see him serve as the treasurer of the Wirral & West Cheshire Kidney Patient Association, which is soon to be launched. The aim of this charity is to support those facing these challenges, and it has been set up by kidney patients who know what these people are going through. By serving in this role and sharing his own touching story, Richard is driving a lasting change. The trust, compassion, and community its principal stands for is thus reflected across the entirety of Smart Independent Financial Advice, a firm built on it’s founder’s values, resilience, and innate desire to improve lives and provide people with the reassurance they seek when it comes to their financial futures. It is with this in mind that we have chosen to recognise Smart Independent Financial Advice here with two deserved awards in this programme – and thus cementing its status as the leading Wirral financial adviser. Contact: Richard Jones Company: Smart Independent Financial Advice Web Address: https://www.smart-ifa.co.uk/ Smart Independent Financial Advice Ltd is an Appointed Representative of New Leaf Distribution Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Number 460421. Head Office: 165-167 High Street, Rayleigh, Essex, SS67QA. Co registration Number 5520001. Smart Independent Financial Advice Ltd has FCA Number 967978. Our services relate to certain investments whose prices are dependent on fluctuations in the financial markets beyond our control. Investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and you may get back less than the amount invested. Past performance cannot be used as a reliable prediction of future performance. Your home is at risk if you fail to keep up payments on your mortgage or any other loans secured against it. Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage which is secured against your property or a home reversion plan which requires the sale of property for a discounted price. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. You only continue to own your own home with a lifetime mortgage. Equity release may impact the size of your estate and it could affect your entitlement to current and future means-tested benefits. Estate Planning, Will writing and Inheritance Tax Planning are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
UK Finance Awards 2025/ 6 Financial inclusivity for all is the primary aim of Ecommpay, an inclusive global payment platform empowering businesses and driving growth through its suite of innovative and high-quality payment products, with these built in-house to more than meet the diverse needs of both its merchants and their customer groups. Recognising that this aim begins by raising awareness, Ecommpay’s CMO, Miranda McLean, sat down with us for more on how the firm’s platform advocates for this financial inclusion through provisions like alternative payment methods and open banking. A real-life reflection of the fact that not all payment service providers are made equal, London’s Ecommpay leverages a payment gateway comprising direct acquiring capabilities, more than 100 alternative payment methods, open banking, and direct debits alike. This is all delivered within a sole integration and reinforced by a team of over 500 employees across four global offices – to help its clients grow. In attempting to foster this growth for as many people as possible, the firm is setting the mark for inclusivity and excellence alike. Thanks to a seamless global payments infrastructure that sees merchants experience an increase in their acceptance rates of around 8%, Ecommpay’s ecommerce merchant payments are helping businesses to reach new heights by ensuring their payments are as fast and as smooth as possible and that they keep flowing, so that the most can be made out of every transaction. This is achieved via Ecommpay offering both global and local acquiring, as well as payment processing and orchestration, all from its one platform, managed by a single API. Ecommpay’s tailored, full-stack payment solutions offer high-growth possibilities for SMEs and large-scale organisations alike from around the world, giving them the chance to wave goodbye to the complex and usher in an age of seamless transactions. Its clients hail from many different industries – retail, travel, hospitality, mobility, transport and insurance, to name but a few – and Ecommpay appeals to them all by helping solve their main financial headaches: lengthy development timescales and difficulties adding local payment access/ payout methods. With e-commerce and the circular economy both expanding in recent years, with no signs of slowing down, it is essential that those seeking to optimise customer conversion rates find a payment platform like Ecommpay that can deliver on the above – at scale and within limited development timescales, nonetheless. As discussed in the beginning, Ecommpay’s aim here is accessibility for all, and it is guided by the belief that empowering merchants not only makes for a fair, equitable society, but also that it makes good commercial sense. As Miranda herself then went on to explain: “Projects involving such significant investments generally focus on increasing sales as efficiently and effectively as possible, boosting ROI. However, Ecommpay’s focus is on delivering the best, most accessible customer experience possible. In the long term, this will increase sales, but the target has always been a more inclusive website, service, and solutions – not simply increasing profits.” Many of Ecommpay’s merchants clients have ambitious international expansion plans, and this highlights the flexibility of this full-stack solution. Then, combined with the fact that it delivers perhaps the best alternative payment method on the market today, setting up shop in a new market no longer comes with the traditional delays in resource prioritisation and development effort thanks to Ecommpay. Local payout functionality then means merchants have a proven payment solution for every market they claim. These pioneering achievements have been realised only as a result of the alignment that defines the team here, with a collective drive to empower merchants through a fair, equitable payment ecosystem. As Miranda told us: “With everyone on the same page, new solutions are dreamt up, designed, built, and implemented with inclusivity in mind throughout. Furthermore, existing solutions, such as the website and payments platform, are continually reviewed to make adjustments.” By far the biggest overhaul of the latter came quite recently, with Ecommpay’s vision of a more accessible environment leading it to renovate its website structure, build new web page templates, rewrite all its content, and then update its SEO accordingly. Assessed rigorously and launched quickly, the new website and brand identity went live in the middle of September 2024. Since its launch, page engagement has gone up by more than 40%, post engagement has risen nearly 21% and share rate has rocketed by a huge 103%. Miranda said: “Overhauling the website and brand identity was the first stage of a dedicated ongoing programme focused on inclusivity and providing merchants with critical support to improve their own accessibility: Ecommpay for Good.” Going further into what this entails, Miranda continued: “The new Ecommpay website and brand identity utilise colours, fonts, and layouts carefully selected to ensure accessibility for those with visual and hearing impairment as well as cognitive and physical disabilities.” Ecommpay’s commitment to continuously enhancing its offerings is indicative of its evolving culture internally, while initiatives such as regular training and workshops for its teams work towards its ultimate aim of financial inclusivity for all. For example, staff recently undertook unconscious bias and neurodiversity awareness training. Ecommpay invited subject matter experts to deliver the sessions, to ensure they could more accurately highlight the barriers experienced by its teams and customers. Best Global Inclusive Payment Platform 2025 & SME News Client Service Excellence Award 2025
Nurturing a wider sense of awareness is just one way in which Ecommpay is expressing the needs of modern society through its actions, with many other examples coming in the form of purpose-driven solutions in the realm of e-commerce and the circular economy. One of the most fitting instances of this is previous Ecommpay research concerning online checkout drop-off. The study found drop offs often happen 90% of the way through a customer’s journey – usually the point of payment. This underscores the importance of getting the payments journey right. Be it an unexpected shipping cost, a complicated checkout process, or limited payment options, the reasons for these dropoffs are many. Merchants must provide a straightforward user experience if they are to boost their conversion rates during this final stage. Recognising this, Ecommpay has helped its clients through introductions including a re-try feature (a pop-up that appears if a transaction declines), meaning the payment can be attempted again without restarting the entire checkout process. Similarly, Miranda explained: “Consolidating checkout elements (billing, shipping, payment, and review) onto a single page also offers a faster and more positive experience. Average conversions for single-page checkouts sit at 61% compared to 56% for multi-page checkouts.” Other ways to maximise purchase rates include making the checkout accessible across all devices, displaying prices in local currencies in the event of international operations, and striking the right balance between speed and security at payment stage. The firm has only found all of this out on the back of the progress it has made across every element of its operation over the last few years. This can be attributed to it remaining connected to the global payments ecosystem in a truly meaningful way, finding out what does and does not work to promote real change. Aside from the website changes above, this is best seen through its recent push into fraud prevention, where it partnered with Cable to design and implement a solution that redefined financial crime compliance. Sharing more on this, Miranda commented: “Prioritising dynamic risk management and real-time monitoring, we achieved a robust, forward-looking framework, safeguarding against financial crime and setting an industry benchmark. Ecommpay Graph Analysis guarantees a 97% success rate in fraud detection and prevention, without having any negative effect on client interactions.” These undertakings are prime examples of the solutions that Ecommpay will continue to refine into 2026 and beyond, highlighting its ongoing evolution. Be it an innovative solution that removes barriers from payments or leveraging its problem-solving insight and excellent customer service to set the gold standard when it comes to accessibility in the realm of global payments, everything Ecommpay does is grounded in a commitment to delivering excellence. Raising the bar in the dynamic field of ecommerce merchant payments, financial inclusion, and accessible payments more broadly, it is our pleasure to reflect this effort with two welldeserved awards in this programme. Contact: Miranda McLean Company: Ecommpay Web Address: https://ecommpay.com/
UK Finance Awards 2025/ 8 Best Mortgage & Protection Advisory Firm 2025 – London & Homebuyer Support Excellence Award 2025 The financial landscape can be a daunting environment for many, particularly when faced with matters of mortgage and insurance. With the right guidance and resources, however, it is entirely possible to navigate obstacles and identify the best opportunities that suit each unique financial situation. BVS Mortgages and Financial Services delivers such support, providing vital mortgage and protection advice to individuals and business clients across the United Kingdom. As BVS Mortgages and Financial Services is named in the UK Finance Awards 2025, we took a closer look at the firm and its standout services below. Based in London, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services is a leading mortgage and financial services firm aiming to provide professional mortgage and protection advice to individuals and businesses across the UK. The firm offers a fully integrated, client-centric advisory service, with specialties in residential, buy-to-let, and commercial lending, alongside comprehensive insurance protection. BVS Mortgages and Financial Services was founded in 2018, first beginning as a single-adviser startup with zero turnover in its first year. Since its inception, the firm has successfully achieved consistent year-on-year growth, including an exceptional 188% uplift during the pandemic. This growth was particularly driven by the establishment of an in-house digital and marketing team in 2023 – a major catalyst that significantly increased brand visibility and lead generation. Through strategic restructuring, improved workflow efficiency, and targeted team expansion, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services continued to expand and enhance its operations. The firm has grown exponentially in less than a decade – expanding from 1 to 13 advisers and surpassing £1.2 million in revenue by 2024/25, marking an 81.94% growth rate year-on-year. Now, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services stands as one of the UK’s fastest-growing brokerages, operating with a strong, ever-expanding presence across the country. Across the financial industry, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services is deeply respected by lenders and networks alike, renowned for its consistent performance, compliance standards, and commitment to high-quality client outcomes. The firm is an Appointed Representative of The Openwork Partnership, one of the UK’s most established financial advice networks. This relationship indicates the firm’s stellar reputation, focus on client satisfaction, and unwavering commitment to delivering ethical and responsible financial advice. This rapid growth has been driven by Roshan Vitharanage, Founder, Director, and Senior Financial Adviser of BVS Mortgages and Financial Services. With more than 15 years of experience in financial accounting, eight years as a Financial Adviser, and over a decade of hands-on experience as a UK landlord, Roshan brings to his work a unique perspective rooted in both professional expertise and real-world property ownership. Having personally navigated the challenges of property ownership, investment, and portfolio growth, Roshan understands firsthand the realities clients face. Leveraging this invaluable insight, Roshan established BVS Mortgages and Financial Services with a distinct vision: to create a clientfocused firm that moves beyond generic advice to deliver solutions that are practical, realistic, and aligned with each client’s longterm goals. Through the business, Roshan now works alongside a trusted panel of experienced professionals to ensure that clients receive comprehensive support, from initial consultation through to completion. Roshan’s extensive industry experience has played an instrumental role in shaping the direction of BVS Mortgages and Financial Services, as well as the ways in which Roshan steers his team. “My leadership philosophy is grounded in strategic foresight, operational discipline, and a strong investment in people development,” he told us. “I strive to cultivate a culture where advisers are empowered to innovate while maintaining the highest standards of compliance and client care.” When building the BVS Mortgages and Financial Services team, Roshan focuses on identifying individuals demonstrating integrity, adaptability, and long-term potential, believing that these qualities are essential in building a future-ready advisory team. Under Roshan’s leadership, the firm is driven by a culture of continuous learning and innovation, provided with continuous professional development, structured mentorship, and a clear progression framework to ensure the ongoing improvement of both adviser confidence and technical expertise. As a result, client-centrism lies at the heart of BVS Mortgages and Financial Services’ operations. The team is driven by an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional levels of service, tirelessly supporting clients at every stage of the journey until their goals and aspirations are met. Leveraging a combination of cutting-edge digital systems and highly trained advisers, the firm’s service delivery blends smart automation with personalised adviser interaction to deliver
ultimate efficiency without compromising the crucial element of human touch. The firm strengthens its client retention rate through a structured aftercare model that ensures its support does not stop at the completion of its service. This includes a Premier Client Service for high-value cases, and a dedicated Post-Offer Team responsible for managing solicitor liaison, updates, and completions. The efficacy of this model is evidenced in BVS Mortgages and Financial Services’ client feedback – consistently highlighting professionalism, clarity, responsiveness, and ethical, unbiased advice – which reinforces the firm’s standing as an industryleading advisory firm. This exceptional customer satisfaction is demonstrated through more than 2,500 five-star Trustpilot reviews – ranking 1st in London and 6th in the UK in the “Best Mortgage Broker” category, based on Trustpilot’s TrustScore (as of Jan 2026). In addition, the firm has built an outstanding reputation on VouchedFor, with more than 1,500 five-star client reviews and every adviser recognised as a “Top Rated Adviser” – a designation awarded only to advisers consistently delivering exceptional client outcomes (as of Jan 2026). At its core, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services is committed to making a positive impact on society, not only through worldclass financial solutions but also through responsible business practices and community engagement initiatives. Corporate social responsibility is as firmly embedded in the firm’s identity as its client-centrism, with a business model that reflects its dedication to facilitating local and global positive impact by way of sharing its revenues and profits with the lesser privileged. Championing the belief that children are the future, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services places a significant focus on initiatives that support the development and enrichment of young people around the world. The firm actively raises funds and contributes to UK-based charity programmes and community initiatives, including participating in the 2024 RBC Race for the Kids – a global initiative aimed at raising funds to support the building of a world-class Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Since 2018, the firm has proudly partnered with the EduCare Foundation, a trusted organisation dedicated to empowering underprivileged children in Sri Lanka through education and welfare initiatives. Having supported more than 350 children in less than a decade through empowering educational resources, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services has demonstrated how any business can – and should – leverage their own corporate success to build a better future for underprivileged communities around the world. In 2025, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services also extended its charitable commitment by supporting the Sri Lanka Rising Project. This initiative, in collaboration with APSL (The Association of Professional Sri Lankans), a UK-registered charity, provides urgent assistance to families affected by the devastating floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. The firm’s involvement underscores its commitment to using its resources to address global crises and make a tangible difference in communities in need. This ethos lies at the very heart of BVS Mortgages and Financial Services, steering the team and ensuring that everything it does is geared towards building a better and brighter future for generations to come. Whether supporting clients through complex processes with transparency and trust or tirelessly dedicating itself to upholding corporate social responsibility, BVS Mortgages and Financial Services is guided by a longstanding commitment to community, inclusion, and exceptional client care. This commitment has earned BVS Mortgages and Financial Services well-deserved national recognition, as numerous awarding bodies have celebrated the firm for its expertise across mortgage and protection advice, as well as its dedication to positive social impact. The firm was recently recognised for the latter with its reception of the Best Inclusive Culture Award 2025 at the Barclays Mortgage Intermediaries Inclusion Summit, highlighting the team’s commitment to inclusivity, professionalism, and reliability. The firm has seen further success in SME News’ UK Finance Awards 2025, where it was presented with the Homebuyer Support Excellence Award 2025 and named London’s Best Mortgage and Protection Advisory Firm 2025 – a dual achievement that recognises its significant contributions to the future of the financial industry by empowering individuals with the knowledge, insight, and guidance they need to make confident, well-informed, and error-free financial decisions. Contact: Roshan Vitharanage Company: BVS Mortgages and Financial Services Limited Web Address: www.bvsmortgages.co.uk BVS Mortgages and Financial Services Ltd is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
UK Finance Awards 2025/ 10 Located in Exeter, NxtGen Mortgages is a dedicated mortgage and insurance brokerage committed to delivering expert advice, tailored solutions, and exceptional client care – all with the aim of making the mortgage process simple and stressfree. The brokerage’s services span the full mortgage journey – from first-time buyers and home movers to remortgages, buy-to-let investors, and protection planning – in addition to comprehensive insurance advice that ensures its clients and their families are fully protected. NxtGen Mortgages works with a diverse range of clients, from first-time buyers learning to navigate the mortgage process, to experienced homeowners looking to remortgage, invest, or review their protection needs. No two situations are ever the same, so the brokerage takes time to understand each client’s goals, challenges, and long-term plans before guiding them through every step of the process with complete clarity. While each client hails from their own unique background, they do, however, share one common thread: the desire for a personal, transparent, and trustworthy service. In an industry where many firms compete on speed or price, NxtGen Mortgages differentiates itself through service, trust, and genuine care. Rather than focusing on high-volume sales or securing the best deal, the brokerage has built a reputation for going above and beyond to deliver high-quality advice, communication, and care – whether that is taking extra time to explain complex details, being available when clients need reassurance, or liaising directly with lenders, solicitors, and insurers to make the process as seamless as possible. At its core, NxtGen Mortgages aims to deliver a truly five-star service with every client it serves. It believes that outstanding client experiences boost sustainable success, viewing every interaction as an opportunity to exceed expectations and create advocates for the brand. This approach has been a key driver of the brokerage’s ongoing growth, enabling the team to build a reputation that is founded on trust, reliability, and excellence, stemming from organic recommendations and client reviews. “We pride ourselves on building long-term relationships where clients know they can turn to us for honest guidance and support at every stage of their financial journey,” Sam told us. “Many of our clients come to us through recommendations from friends, family, or past clients who have experienced our service first-hand. This referralbased approach means that our relationships are built on trust from the very beginning.” On Google Reviews, one client wrote: “I had the pleasure of working with Sam and his amazing team, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From our initial consultation through to completion, the level of professionalism, clarity, and care they demonstrated was outstanding. Thanks to Sam and his exceptional team, what could have been a daunting process was handled with complete efficiency and Buying a home is one of life’s most significant decisions, carrying both financial weight and emotional meaning. Today’s clients are increasingly drawn to firms that can deliver strong outcomes while retaining that all important human touch that makes the process stress-free. NxtGen Mortgages is one such brokerage, blending expertise, technology, and a deeply personal approach to create a seamless, meaningful client experience. Following the brokerage’s recognition in the UK Finance Awards 2025, we spoke to Sam Hyslop at NxtGen Mortgages to learn more. Best Small Mortgage Brokerage 2025 - South West England & SME News Client Service Excellence Award 2025 NxtGen Mortgages
reassurance. I would highly recommend them to anyone seeking expert mortgage advice delivered with professionalism and genuine care.” While another shared: “We had a fantastic experience with NxtGen Mortgages. They were incredibly helpful in securing the information and finance we needed to buy our next home. The team highlighted options we hadn’t even considered and consistently went the extra mile – finding and passing on better rates as they became available, without us even asking. Their proactive and knowledgeable approach made the whole process feel smooth and reassuring. Highly recommended!” Of course, this would not be possible without NxtGen Mortgages’ team of trusted mortgage and insurance advisers, whose balance of professional skill and personal touch has been instrumental to the brokerage’s continued success. While technical expertise and up-todate knowledge are essential in today’s financial market, the ability to listen, understand, and guide clients with confidence and clarity is what builds long-term relationships and trust. NxtGen Mortgages’ advisers set themselves apart with empathy, communication, and integrity, truly earning themselves the SME News Client Service Excellence Award 2025. When recruiting, the brokerage looks beyond qualifications and experience to assess a candidate’s attitude. “We want advisers with genuine hunger, passion, and integrity,” said Sam. “People who care deeply about helping clients, and who share our belief that a five-star service is the minimum standard, not the exception. We value individuals who are proactive, empathetic, and solution-focused; those who take pride in their work, thrive on client satisfaction, and see success not just as completing a mortgage, but as earning a client’s trust for life.” Internally, NxtGen Mortgages fosters a culture rooted in collaboration, support, and client-centricity. The team celebrates success, shares knowledge, and supports one another in achieving both professional and personal growth, creating a positive environment where each member feels valued, motivated, and proud of the work they do. With open communication, shared learning, and continuous improvement encouraged across the team, everyone – from advisers to administrators – works together with one shared purpose: to deliver the best possible client experience. “Every success we achieve – from a happy client to a glowing review – is the result of our team’s dedication, professionalism, and shared passion for delivering exceptional service,” Sam shared. “We believe that our advisers and support staff don’t just represent our brand – they are our brand. Their commitment to doing the right thing for every client underpins our reputation and drives our continued growth through recommendations and repeat business.” The team’s exceptional attitude has been instrumental in propelling NxtGen Mortgages ahead of the competitive market, a particularly valuable feat in today’s shifting landscape. The evolution of artificial intelligence continues to create challenges as the entire sector attempts to adapt and embrace the emerging technology. In this environment, NxtGen Mortgages is actively working to strike a balance between helpful technologies that provide optimal customer outcomes and automation that takes away the human element of advice that so many clients want and need. As NxtGen Mortgages continues to grow and evolve, 2026 promises to be a strong year for the brokerage. A record number of its clients are reaching the end of their mortgage deals, opening the door to substantial opportunity for new business and client growth. To support this expansion, the team has moved into a new office to increase visibility and has invested in significant updates to the website, enabling the business to grow beyond its current reach. These developments mark an exciting new chapter for a firm already recognised as South West England’s Best Small Mortgage Brokerage 2025. Contact: Sam Hyslop Web Address: www.nxtgenmortgages.co.uk Company: NxtGen Mortgages YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Most buy to let mortgages are not regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority. NxtGen Mortgages is a trade name of Just Mortgages Direct Limited, which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 15/01/26.
UK Finance Awards 2025/ 12 Best Mortgage Brokerage 2025 & Client Service Excellence Award 2025 In the complex world of mortgages, all people want is their financial freedom – without first having to understand the ins and outs of the system. A champion of this, SM Finance Lounge is impassioned when it comes to taking this overwhelming, impersonal space and making it accessible, helping UK families feel safe and financially secure through honest financial advice and protection they can trust. Simona Minikaitiene, the woman at the helm of the firm, was on hand to tell us more about this real financial guidance for real people. Beginning her career in the world of mortgages a little under six years ago, Simona’s drive to change the way people feel about their financial journeys and the experiences they are provided across them ed her to create SM Finance Lounge in late 2022. Empowering financial confidence for UK families, the firm serves to help them control their finances with clarity and assurance, regardless of whether they are a first-time buyer, an entrepreneur, or a client seeking to remortgage their home and get their finances back on track. By creating real-life solutions to fit the person – not just the numbers – SM Finance Lounge attracts clients from all walks and stages of life, united by the common aim of seeking support and understanding when it comes to their mortgages. They choose Simona and the team here for this as these experts go beyond offering financial services, they build long-term relationships based on a combination of trust, education, and empowerment. In essence, as this shows, the firm’s distinction is rooted in its humanity. “Our success comes from staying human in an industry that often forgets the human side of money. At SM Finance Lounge, every client story matters – and that’s what drives us every single day.” A big part of the success nurtured by SM Finance Lounge comes from its dedication to building confident futures through financial education, which is a lived example of its core values – integrity, compassion, and growth – being deployed proactively. As Simona told us: “Clients trust us because we listen, educate, and guide them with honesty and care. Our goal isn’t just to provide financial solutions – it’s to empower people to make confident, informed decisions for the long term.” Financial hardship is something we associate more with younger people than the older generation, but there has been an influx of people in their 50s and 60s stuck in rental properties and worried about protecting their families, building security, and simply having peace of mind as they approach retirement. It is for this reason that the education aspect is so important for Simona and the team, who all envision a world where financial protection and secure, stable futures is the norm – not the exception. This is a vision shared by the small but mighty team behind the firm, with the unrivalled experience every client is provided hinging on their ability to inject a dose of care, integrity, and professionalism into this work at every turn. When choosing the right people for this team, Simona relies on the timeless view that technical knowledge can be taught, but the characteristics it really takes for a person to thrive in this industry – empathy, honesty, and a desire to both help others and revolutionise a sector – are innate. Exploring this further, Simona got it right when she explained: “In today’s financial world, the most important skills go beyond numbers: communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are all key. Finance is about people first, and our culture reflects that every day.” With the mortgage industry being subject to various regulatory changes and economic uncertainty – driven by the likes of AI tools and shifting client expectations – this human-first nature is becoming increasingly attractive for those after something honest. All of this is not to say that SM Finance Lounge is oblivious to technology, and it is continuously embracing modern tools to improve efficiency and accessibility, using it to enhance its personal touch rather than replace it. Continuing down this path is the firm’s goal for 2026, with its focus on growth, innovation, and empowerment being channelled into initiatives such as online learning resources, interactive budgeting, credit-improvement tools, and an intuitive client portal. Such initiatives are further examples of how everything the firm does comes back to this one purpose: to help people feel safe, confident, and in control of both their mortgage and their financial future. For demonstrating that finance is about much more than just numbers, it is our pleasure to recognise SM Finance Lounge here with a duo of awards. Contact: Simona Minikaitiene Company: SM Finance Lounge Web Address: https://smfinancelounge.co.uk/
The product of a leap of faith taken by Lucy Nichols, a professional bookkeeper with years of experience in the field, LMN Bookkeeping Plus was founded in 2021 as a way for Lucy to help businesses stay on top of their finances with as little hassle as possible. While specialising in bookkeeping for the construction industry, Lucy also works with a host of clients across a wide range of sectors, affording all her reliable and tailored bookkeeping services. On the back of its dual recognition in this programme, we caught up with Lucy for more on this bookkeeping venture. LMN Bookkeeping Plus Ltd Best Bookkeeping & CIS Support Firm 2025 - Oxfordshire | Tailored Client Service Excellence Award 2025 Delivering personalised bookkeeping and accounting services for trades from its home in Oxford, LMN Bookkeeping Plus has made it its mission to help SMEs to control their finances with the confidence, accuracy, and clarity they seek. The knowledge Lucy has regarding the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) means that the peerless bookkeeping and accounting services her firm offers attract a variety of businesses from across this space, and she can help them to take the stress out of compliance. LMN Bookkeeping Plus provides full bookkeeping services ranging from payroll management and annual accounts to tax returns, corporation accounts, selfassessments, and more. Accuracy and professionalism define every one of these services, and Lucy prides herself on operating with total confidentiality to the outside world and complete transparency for her clients, resulting in her firm striking up partnerships with SMEs as it supports them in the best way it can - without all of the usual finance jargon. Working primarily within the CIS, LMN Bookkeeping Plus knows the importance of striking a balance between being easy to talk to and yet constantly on the ball when it comes to understanding the business goals of its clients. This takes the form of personalised services delivered in packages that can be tailored to the workload of a client, underpinning the meticulous blend of professional attention and a supportive approach that results in outstanding bookkeeping being provided at every turn. Supporting Lucy as she delivers exemplary CIS bookkeeping for builders is a wellcrafted team comprising some of the finest industry staff Oxfordshire has to offer. Lucy explained: “They are not just employees; they are a crucial part in delivering exceptional services to our clients. As a small business, their professionalism and dedication ensure that every client receives excellent, consistent, and timely bookkeeping support.” Alignment across the firm has resulted in an honest, supportive culture being nurtured. “All of this leads to a high standard of work, better client outcomes, and staff who feel empowered and confident.” With CIS bookkeeping being just one of the areas of the industry that is subject to constant changes across tax legislation and compliance - examples include making tax digital and HMRC regulation/VAT rules continuing to evolve - many people are struggling to understand their financial data, hindering dayto-day decision-making. LMN Bookkeeping Plus strives to continuously improve knowledge and understanding, sharing this with its clients in a way they can understand. Insights such as these can even be found in a book that Lucy was proud to be a part of, ‘The Bookkeeper Rises’, which brings together the stories of 35 bookkeepers who have built their own businesses, sharing their experiences to see that others working in this industry do not fall into the common pitfalls that have plagued them over the course of their careers. More on this book can be found here. Having helped solidify her status as the premier bookkeeper in Oxford thanks to her featuring in this book, Lucy is excited to welcome more clients to LMN Bookkeeping Plus in 2026, as well as channelling an expansion of the business, opening a bigger office, and welcoming more staff and clients. This will take place against the backdrop of competitive prices and flexible monthly packages the firm has built its reputation atop of, all of which underpin a service designed to help clients focusing on business growth. Recognised as both Best Bookkeeping & CIS Support Firm 2025 - Oxfordshire, and recipient of the Tailored Client Service Excellence Award 2025, LMN Bookkeeping Plus is an example of what happens when partnerships are forged and efficient services are provided, tailored to the needs of its clientele. More on the full range of bookkeeping and accounting services provided by Lucy and co. is available at the website link below. Contact: Lucy Nichols Company: LMN Bookkeeping Plus Web Address: https://www.lmnbookkeeping.co.uk/
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