The cream of the UK F&I industry came together at New Dock Hall, Leeds for the annual industry celebration, the F&I Conference and Awards.
A not-for-profit fundraiser for the NSPCC and now in its 8th year, the event is organised and hosted by DealTrak and sponsored this year by Barclays Partner Finance. All areas of automotive finance were represented, from lenders, dealers, brokers and product and service providers with best practice highlighted, celebrated and championed throughout.
The daytime conference showcased a number of high profile speakers, stimulating debate around the big upcoming trends in the sector and touched upon areas as diverse as compliance, support for vulnerable customers and the use of cryptocurrency and blockchain.
Inspirational speaker and best selling author Robin Sieger finished the conference with a motivational talk around the nature of success and what it means to be successful in business and in life.
Over 300 delegates then reconvened for the evening’s black-tie F&I Awards, presented by the BBC’s Louise Minchin. As part of the gala dinner, 12 awards in total were given out, and the evening’s entertainment was concluded with an after dinner speech from Gyles Brandreth, author, TV personality and former MP.
Martin Hill, MD, DealTrak, commented:
“DealTrak were delighted once again to host the F&I Conference and Awards. It’s always a thought-provoking and inspiring day and it is a privilege for DealTrak to host so many clients, partners and friends at what has become the flagship event in the F&I calendar. We’d like to reiterate our thanks to the sponsors, especially the headline sponsor Barclays Partner Finance, and to everyone who helped raise so much money for our chosen charity, NSPCC.”
The 2018 F&I Award Winners in full
Broker of the Year, sponsored by Moneybarn Jigsaw Finance
Business Manager of the Year, sponsored by Vauxhall Finance Matt Ellis, RRG Toyota Altrincham
Digital F&I Award, sponsored by FindAndFundMyCar.com Click Dealer
F&I Product Innovation, sponsored by Oodle Finance Marsh Finance
Franchised Dealer of the Year, sponsored by Barclays Partner Finance RRG Group
Lender of the Year, sponsored by Smart Insurance Barclays Partner Finance
Sub-Prime Performance of the Year, sponsored by DealTrak Billing Finance
Treating Customers Fairly Award, sponsored by GoCarCredit BuyaCar
Independent Car Dealer Under 3 Sites, sponsored by Marsh Finance Motonet.com
Independent Car Dealer Over 3 Sites, sponsored by BNP Paribas CarShop
VAP Provider of the Year, sponsored by Equifax Smart Insurance
F&I Hall of Fame Award Mike Pierce, Sytner Finance