The Motor Trader Awards held on November 23rd saw over a thousand people from across the UK motor retailing sector celebrating the very best businesses, individuals and cars in our industry over the last year.
I was thrilled to pick up the Finance Provider of the Year award for Mann Island Finance. Hearing the words, ‘and the winner is Mann Island Finance,’ was a fantastic moment. It was also a ground-breaking moment in the business’ history; it was the day when Mann Island Finance was recognised unconditionally as a lender of scale, with our submission centring on our class-leading fintech capabilities and great people.
I may have collected the award, but this success was for all our team and colleagues including our parent international banking and wealth management group Investec, who have collaborated with us to transform Mann Island into a distinctive motor lender of scale.
Over recent years, we have picked up multiple awards for our people and technology. Nevertheless, the Finance Provider of the Year recognition at the largest awards event in the UK motor retailing industry in front of over a thousand people is exceptional at this time in our evolution. I want to recognise the other businesses shortlisted in our category. All would, I am sure, have been worthy winners of the accolade.
Proud though I am of our brokerage roots, Mann Island Finance today operates almost exclusively as a lender; this award lets everyone know that we are a class-leading one – and, I can add, one with ambitious growth plans for the years ahead.
