About the awards

2026 Finance Awards North West

The Finance Awards North West seeks to promote and celebrate the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals within the North West's finance community. The awards recognise the outstanding local businesses that contribute to the economy and employment in the North West across various award categories. 

The Finance Awards North West are back for 2026, bringing together the region’s brightest talent and most innovative organizations. Register your interest below to stay updated and receive more information.

2026 Award Categories

• Finance Director of the Year (up to £25m turnover)
• Finance Director of the Year (£25m - £100m turnover)
• Finance Director of the Year (over £100m turnover)
• Financial Controller of the Year (up to £100m turnover)
• Financial Controller of the Year (over £100m turnover)
• Finance Business Partner of the Year
• Finance Team of the Year (10 people or less)
• Finance Team of the Year (11-40 people)
• Finance Team of the Year (Over 40 people)
• Finance Transformation & Change
• Finance Team Player of the Year
• Rising Star of the Year (Qualified)
• Rising Star of the Year (Part-Qualified)
• Rising Star of the Year (Non-Qualified)

Award Criteria:

Finance Director of the Year
This award is split into three categories based on company turnover:

• Finance Director of the Year (up to £25m turnover)
• Finance Director of the Year (£25m - £100m turnover)
• Finance Director of the Year (over £100m turnover)
   

Awarded to the Finance Director/CFO with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner will have clearly provided examples of where their strategic direction has positively impacted both their team and company.

Financial Controller of the Year 
This award is split into two categories based on company turnover:

• Financial Controller of the Year (up to £100m turnover)
• Financial Controller of the Year (over £100m turnover)
   

Awarded to the Financial Controller with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership, management and development. They will be able to provide examples of strengthening financial control and processes across the organisation, driving continuous improvement and developing a team.

Finance Business Partner of the Year
Awarded to the Finance Business Partner (with more than 5 years experience) with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, management and development whilst adding real commercial value to the business. They will be able to provide examples of where they have driven improvements, guided decision making & set strategy within their business unit and taken a responsibility for continuous development. 

Finance Team of the Year
This award is split into three categories based on team size:

• Finance Team of the Year (10 or less people)
• Finance Team of the Year (11-40 people)
• Finance Team of the Year (Over 40 people)
   

The Finance Team of the year will demonstrate excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team may have positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit

Finance Transformation & Change
The Finance Transformation & Change award will be presented to a team that has demonstrated the successful delivery and/or implementation of activities leading to the improvement or growth of its organisation. This can be demonstrated through a range of activities with examples including (though not limited to) transformation projects, system upgrades, development of people and their careers and process re-engineering.

*Rising Star of the Year – Qualified
Presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused person in the market. The winner of the qualified award will be a finance professional with less than 5 years of post-qualified experience. They will have provided examples of high achievement and outperforming their peer group.

*Rising Star of the Year – Part-Qualified
This is presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused part-qualified finance professional in the market. The winner of the part-qualified award will be a finance professional with less than 8 years’ experience and currently studying for a finance qualification. They will have provided examples of high achievement and outperforming their peer group.

*Rising Star of the Year – Non-Qualified
Presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused non-qualified finance professional in the market. The winner of the part-qualified award will be a finance professional with less than 8 years’ experience. They will have provided examples of high achievement and outperforming their peer group.

*Finance Team Player
This award will go to a member of a finance team who has been instrumental in the team’s success over the past 12 months. They will be both a high achiever and committed team player, their dedication in their day-to-day role and infectious positive attitude serving to maintain team performance and boost team morale.

*After the initial application/nomination has been submitted for these four categories, a follow up form will be sent out to the nominator (or line manager if it was an application) to complete as a referencing stage. The judges will then shortlist prior to the judging stage. 

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