After months of anticipation, Thursday’s ceremony revealed who came out on top in the 2014 B&C Awards...
This year’s event was the largest B&C Awards to date with over 540 guests in attendance at the beautiful Hurlingham Club.
As well as celebrating the success and growth of the industry over the past year, the 17 awards honoured those who have been voted as the best in the industry.
Earlier this month, two judging panels gathered to discuss and decide on the winners of the coveted titles, sparking much debate and praise for the quality of the shortlisted nominees.
For many, the day belonged to Lancashire Mortgage Corporation, which picked up an impressive three awards. Part of the Blemain Group – which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – Lancashire Mortgage Corporation won both the Underwriter and BDM awards, topping it off with the coveted Bridging Lender of the Year title.
Marc Goldberg, Commercial Director at Lancashire Mortgage Corporation, said: “It’s fantastic to be rewarded and recognised by our peers. To win three national awards in such competitive categories is a real testament to the skill and experience of the whole team here at Lancashire Mortgage Corporation. I’m delighted that Zac and Lorenzo were recognised, highlighting their professionalism and commitment to providing the best service possible for our clients.”
BDM of the year Lorenzo Satchell said: "I am absolutely humbled to receive this award. I am only as good as the people I have around me. A big thank you for all the sales team, especially Nick Jones, Gary Bailey and Lalita Buchtar. A big thank you to the commercial underwriting processing unit and last but not least, I would like to thank the man who gave me the opportunity to work for this business, Marc Goldberg."
Judges complimented the lender on its ‘outside of the box’ approach as well as its strong UK-wide coverage.
Three-time Bridging Lender of the Year Dragonfly Property Finance were awarded Highly Commended in this category for 2014 and won the Service Excellence category. Founder and CEO Jonathan Samuels was also presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award for his prowess in the bridging market which was said to be a contributing factor in the overall improvement and flourishing of the sector.
Jonathan Samuels said: “I've had a really lovely day and I am very pleased to win these awards, also it makes it a very special moment to win two."
On Aldermore’s award for Development Lender of the year, Rob Lankey said: "One thing I wanted on my watch was this award. A team so committed to come so far in an industry as competitive as this is fantastic in such a short time. I'm immensely proud of them."
Gareth Lewis of Precise Mortgages, which won Regulated Lender of the year, said: “The awards are a great event at a great venue - regulation is a hot topic in today's environment so we are immensely proud of such a great award."
Stephen Johnson, MD of Shawbrook Bank the 2014 Commercial Lender of the year said: "I feel very privileged and delighted to win. There was some stiff competition, the whole team will be delighted. We are very fortunate to get the recognition."
Here is the full B&C Awards 2014 list of winners:
Bridging Newcomer
Winner: Ortus Secured Finance
Highly Commended: Hope Capital
Best Bridging Broker
Winner: SPF Short Term Finance
Highly Commended: Voltaire Bridging
Best Commercial Broker
Winner: Finance 4 Business
Highly Commended: Omega Commercial Solutions
Best Specialist Distributor
Winner: Brightstar Financial
Highly Commended: Positive Lending
Best Bridging Legal Partner
Winner: Brightstone Law
Highly Commended: Graham & Rosen Solicitors
Best Bridging Valuer
Winner: De Villiers Chartered Surveyors
Highly Commended: Robert Sterling Surveyors
Underwriter of the year
Winner: Zac Zorno, Lancashire Mortgage Corporation
Highly Commended: Claire Wasbrough, Masthaven Bridging Finance
Best Bridging BDM
Winner: Lorenzo Satchell, Lancashire Mortgage Corporation
Highly Commended: D’mitri Zaprzala, Dragonfly Property Finance
Best Use of Technology
Winner: Finance 4 Business
Highly Commended: Precise Mortgages
Service Excellence Award
Winner: Dragonfly Property Finance
Highly Commended: MTF
Personality of the Year
Winner: Rob Jupp, Brightstar Financial
Highly Commended: N/A
Development Lender of the Year
Winner: Aldermore Bank
Highly Commended: United Trust Bank
P2P Lender of the Year
Winner: LendInvest
Highly Commended: Funding Circle
Commercial Lender of the Year
Winner: Shawbrook Bank
Highly Commended: Aldermore
Best Regulated Lender
Winner: Precise Mortgages
Highly Commended: Masthaven Bridging Finance
Bridging Lender of the Year
Winner: Lancashire Mortgage Corporation
Highly Commended: Dragonfly Property Finance
Outstanding Contribution Award
Winner: Jonathan Samuels, Dragonfly Property Finance
The opulent event hosted all of the industry’s elite, who revelled all day in the surroundings fitting for the Black & White Garden Party theme.
B&C would like to thank all sponsors of the event, with special thanks to headline sponsor Aldermore, as well as Omni Capital who treated guests to a fabulous bar that went on late into the evening.
The B&C Awards 2014 In Pictures will be published later on in the week – watch this space.
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