Simply Asset Finance named AFC Lender of the Year 2024

Simply Asset Finance proudly took home the coveted AFC Lender of the Year 2024 award at the recent Asset Finance Connect (AFC) Summer Awards. The recognition highlights the company’s significant contributions and outstanding performance in the asset finance sector. This accolade underscores the dedication and hard work of Simply’s team, which has been instrumental in driving the company’s success and fostering strong relationships with brokers across the UK.

Mike Randall, CEO of Simply Asset Finance, expressed his delight at winning the award: “Being recognised at a forum such as the AFC Summer Party for the hard work of our teams is always noteworthy. Winning Lender of the Year was a fantastic moment for the Simply team. Our entry was supported by some of the biggest brokers in the UK and is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and commitment to the broker market.”

Winning the AFC Lender of the Year award, sponsored by The Guild of Business Finance Professionals, is a testament to Simply’s innovative approach and strong broker relationships, and the company’s commitment to leveraging technology and initiatives that benefit both brokers and SMEs.

Randall highlighted the significance of collaboration, stating, “We’re proud of the way we are able to collaborate with brokers, through both technology and initiatives, in a way that is mutually beneficial and brings the broker/lender relationship forward.”

Challenges and achievements over the past year

Reflecting on the past year, Randall acknowledged the challenges posed by the everchanging economic landscape. Despite these hurdles, Simply has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, achieving significant milestones. Notably, the company surpassed £1.3 billion in lending to over 7,400 customers, showcasing the strength of its offering. Additionally, Simply successfully migrated a £0.5 billion loan book onto Lendscape’s Asset Finance platform with zero business disruption.

The company has also expanded its workforce, now boasting over 150 employees, and opened a new office in Liverpool to better serve its customers and partners.

Randall also highlighted securing a £120 million loan facility from Bank of America, being placed in the FT1000 Europe’s fastest growing businesses for the third consecutive year, and climbing to #24 in the AF50 UK as significant achievements.

Simply Connect: A revolutionary platform for brokers

Central to Simply’s success is its innovative technology platform, Simply Connect. This platform offers numerous benefits for brokers, enhancing their ability to serve SMEs efficiently. Key features include faster proposal decisions, reduced administrative tasks, improved accuracy through automated information gathering, streamlined KYC processes, and increased visibility into the application pipeline.

Randall emphasized that Simply Connect is not just about technology but also about fostering strong relationships with brokers. “We want to give brokers the advantage of our technology and make them part of our ecosystem instead of bolting them on,” he said.

Endorsements from key broker partners

The company’s broker partners have also lauded Simply’s collaborative approach and technological innovations. Greg Viviers, Managing Director of EFT Finance, praised the efficiency Simply Connect brings to managing productivity and pipeline. David Foster, Managing Director of Anglo Scottish Asset Finance, highlighted the excellent customer experience facilitated by dedicated support from Simply, while Rob Telfer, Director of Clarity Commercial Finance, commended Simply’s partnership approach and the vision shared for leveraging technology to benefit customers.

With a robust foundation and innovative approach, Simply Asset Finance is well-positioned to continue its growth and success. The AFC Lender of the Year 2024 award is a fitting recognition of the company’s achievements and its commitment to supporting SMEs across the UK through strong broker partnerships and cutting-edge technology.