Leeds Firms Collect Nine Awards at Yorkshire Financial Awards

CHN Financial Consultancy leads the charge with three prizes as the city’s financial services sector dominates the regional ceremony.

Leeds-based businesses picked up nine prizes at the Yorkshire Financial Awards last week, underlining the city’s strength as the UK’s largest financial services centre outside London. The results from the Yorkshire Financial Awards Leeds ceremony saw five city firms recognised across categories ranging from employer of the year to wealth management and fintech innovation.

The biggest winner on the night was CHN Financial Consultancy, the independent advisory firm based at CHN House on Gelderd Road. CHN took home three awards: Employer of the Year, Independent Financial Adviser of the Year for Sophie Thornhill, and Trainee of the Year for Sofia Tate. Founded over two decades ago, CHN provides financial planning, protection and wealth management services to private and corporate clients across the UK from its Leeds headquarters.

Never Miss a Leeds Business Event

Get our monthly events guide straight to your inbox — every networking meetup, conference, and showcase happening in Leeds.

Why This Matters For Leeds

Leeds is home to over 30 financial services and fintech firms, with the sector employing more than 44,000 people across West Yorkshire. Nine awards from a single regional ceremony demonstrates the city’s position as a leading financial hub in the north. Crucially, the winners span the full spectrum, from global wealth managers to homegrown independents. Congratulations to all the winners.

Which Leeds Firms Won at the Yorkshire Financial Awards?

CHN Financial Consultancy: Employer of the Year, Independent Financial Adviser of the Year for Sophie Thornhill, and Trainee of the Year for Sofia Tate.

The independent advisory firm based at CHN House on Gelderd Road. CHN provides financial planning, protection and wealth management services to private and corporate clients across the UK from its Leeds headquarters. https://www.chnfc.co.uk/

Leeds Building Society: Won Best Marketing Campaign of the Year.

The UK’s fifth-largest building society is headquartered on Sovereign Street and serves over one million members. The award comes weeks after the Society appointed Annette Barnes as its first female CEO in 151 years. https://www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/

Brown Shipley: Collected two awards, taking both Investment Team of the Year and Wealth Manager of the Year.

Part of Quintet Private Bank, Brown Shipley has been actively expanding its Leeds office at 10 Wellington Place, making three senior hires in the past year to serve high-net-worth clients across Yorkshire. https://brownshipley.com/

Nexus and the University of Leeds: Won Accelerator of the Year.

Based on the university campus, Nexus is the innovation and collaboration hub that connects high-growth businesses with academic research, talent and facilities. The award recognises its role in supporting fintech startups and scale-ups in the region. https://nexusleeds.co.uk/

StepChange Debt Charity: Received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Headquartered at Wade House on Merrion Way, StepChange is the UK’s largest free debt advice provider, helping hundreds of thousands of people each year manage problem debt. The charity has been based in Leeds since its founding. https://www.stepchange.org/

Chase de Vere: won Financial Adviser Team of the Year

Chase do Vere has had a Leeds office since 1969 who guide individuals and businesses with expert, independent financial advice to help secure a confident future. https://chasedevere.co.uk/

A Strong Night for Leeds Financial Services

The results reflect the breadth of Leeds’s financial services ecosystem. The city’s winners ranged from a 200-year-old private bank to a university innovation hub, and from a major building society to an independent advisory firm with just over 20 years’ trading.