2025 Awards

Winners, Highly Commended & Finalists.
Congratulations to all entrants.

Fintech Start-up of the Year

Winner: Sikoia

Highly Commended: AdvisoryAI

Sponsored by:

Fintech Scale-up of the Year

Winner: Zopa Bank

Highly Commended: Mishipay

Sponsored by:

Fintech Company of the Year

Winner: ClearScore

Sponsored by:

Fintech Leader of the Year

Winner: Charles McManus – Co Founder and Board Director ClearBank

Highly Commended: Phil Goffin – Founder & CEO ZILO

Sponsored by:

WealthTech Company of the Year

Winner: Insignis Cash

Highly Commended: Gretel

Sponsored by:

PayTech Company of the Year

Winner: Form3

Sponsored by:

InsurTech Company of the Year

Winner: Zing Cover

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RegTech Company of the Year

Winner: CUBE

Highly Commended: Cygnetise

Sponsored by:

Fintech New Product of the Year

Winner: Incredible

Sponsored by:

Best Use of AI in Fintech of the Year

Winner: ClearBank

Highly Commended: Jumo

Sponsored by:

Fintech Advisory Firm of the Year

Winner: EY

Sponsored by:

Fintech For Good of the Year

Winner: Serene

Sponsored by:

Rising Fintech Star of the Year

Winner: Savannah Price – Serene

Highly Commended: Barbara Gottardi – Finbridge Global

Sponsored by:

Best Fintech Collaboration of the Year

Winner: SuperFi, Greater London Authority (GLA) & Allia

Highly Commended: Dojo & YouLend

Sponsored by:

Open Banking System Excellence of the Year

Winner: Ozone API

Sponsored by:

Best Accelerator / Incubator of the Year

Winner: Lloyds Lab

Sponsored by:

Best Use of AI in Fintech of the Year

Award Criteria: A young (up to 40) finance leader operating at the core of the executive team. Strategic, with sound judgement and influence. Recognised for business acumen, results and inspiring leadership.

Sponsored by:

Financial Controller of the Year

Award Criteria: Embodies financial excellence in a pivotal role, qualified or non-qualified. Leads their team effectively and delivers insightful financial information. Enables management to make complex business decisions with confidence.

Sponsored by:

Finance Manager of the Year

Award Critera: Embodies financial excellence in a pivotal role, qualified or non-qualified. Leads their team effectively and delivers insightful financial information. Supports management with decisions that drive business performance.

Sponsored by:

Accountant of the Year

Award Criteria: Qualified or non-qualified accountant who delivers value-adding financial information. Shows insight and strong judgement. Has proven examples of contributing to business decisions and future success.

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Finance Apprentice of the Year

Award Criteria:

Recognises an apprentice’s standout impact on organisational success.

More
  • Learning: clear progress, milestones and new skills; proactive with training and qualifications.

  • Contribution: measurable impact on finance or the wider business; initiative to improve processes.

  • Professionalism: reliable, consistent, high standards and integrity.

  • Leadership: collaborates well; mentors or leads when needed.

  • Adaptability: resilient to change; strong problem solving.

  • Financial skills: solid acumen with accuracy and attention to detail.

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Accounts Technician of the Year

Award Criteria: Part/non-qualified or actively studying accountant in a key support role. A vital and valued team member who shows promise for the future.

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Rising Star of the Year

Award Criteria: With 18 months or less experience in role, has made a deep impact. Demonstrates unique expertise and flair. Shows promising results and potential for the future.

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Small Finance Team (up to 10 staff within the team) of the Year

Award Criteria: Proven experience of working together to advance business success. Collegiate, expert and highly valued by colleagues. Recognised as critical to the organisation they support.

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Medium/Large Finance Team (more than 11 staff within the team) of the Year

Award Criteria: Proven experience of working together to advance business success. Collegiate, expert and highly valued by colleagues. Recognised as critical to the organisation they support.

Sponsored by:

Independent Accounting Practice
of the Year

Award Criteria: Open to independent firms based in Wales. Show how your services enabled clients to achieve business goals.

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Include: 

  • Client appreciation or recognition.
  • Client initiatives that set the firm apart.
  • Contribution to the business community.
  • Recognition from other firms.
  • Add any other particularly noteworthy achievements.

Sponsored by:

Payroller of the Year

Award Criteria: Individual or team demonstrating excellence in running efficient payroll. Strong problem solving and organisational skills. Great attention to detail and clear communication.

Sponsored by:

Finance Project of the Year

Award Criteria: This award recognises an outstanding finance-led project that demonstrates strategic insight, technical excellence, and measurable impact, whether through a transaction, transformation, or complex financial initiative.

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Projects may include:

  • M&A transaction
  • Financing
  • Restructuring
  • System implementation
  • Corporate/Strategic Deal (acquisition or divestiture)
  • Private Equity Deal (acquisition or sale)

Please provide detailed evidence of why your project should win.

Sponsored by:

Public Sector Team
of the Year

Award Criteria: Team background: – How the team is built, maintained and developed. 

  • Teamwork: Challenges faced and how collaboration, creativity and flexibility overcame them.
  • Impact: – Contributions and achievements, and how high-quality financial advice supported organisational growth.

Sponsored by:

Excellence in DEI
of the Year

Award Criteria: This award recognises a finance organisation in Wales that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. It celebrates an initiative, programme or strategy that has created meaningful, measurable and sustainable impact for under-represented groups within the workplace or wider community.

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Judges will look for organisations that go beyond compliance and deliver genuine cultural change – whether through innovative hiring practices, inclusive leadership development, community outreach, education programmes, employee resource groups, accessibility improvements, or other creative approaches that remove barriers and create belonging.
The winning entry will clearly demonstrate:
  • A well-defined DEI challenge and strategic response
  • Evidence of positive outcomes supported by data or testimonials
  • Strong leadership commitment and employee engagement
  • Long-term sustainability and contribution to a more inclusive Welsh finance sector
This award honours those who are actively shaping a fairer, more inclusive future for finance in Wales.

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Best Place to Work
of the Year

Award Criteria: How has your organisation developed professional training and advancement for all it’s employees at all levels?

What initiatives has your organisation undertaken or implemented to boost morale and physical and mental health? What makes your company such a fantastic place to work?

Sponsored by:

ESG Excellence Award of the Year

Award Criteria: A young (up to 40) finance leader operating at the core of the executive team. Strategic, with sound judgement and influence. Recognised for business acumen, results and inspiring leadership.

Sponsored by:

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