Newport-based Henry Howard Finance, one of the UK’s largest independent finance houses, is celebrating the highest number of nominations for all businesses shortlisted in the inaugural Finance Awards Wales.

Group chief financial officer Mark Burn, has been nominated for Chief Financial Officer/Finance Director of the Year, while group financial controller Mark Evans has been shortlisted in the Financial Controller of the Year category.

The finance house, which is based at Langstone Business Park on the edge of Newport, is also a finalist in the Finance Team (financial services) of the Year category.

The award nominations follow HHF’s record breaking performance last year, when the firm demonstrated an increase of 42 per cent in own book lending, resulting in own book receivables of £81.9m at the end of 2017.

Finance Awards Wales aims to recognise the achievements of finance professionals working in Wales and the contribution the sector makes to the Welsh economy.

Wales’ Economy & Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates has lent his support to the initiative, stating that the awards 'will recognise the very best talent, showing that Wales has the skills to compete at the highest levels of world business'.

HHF Group CFO Mark Burn said: “To be finalists in three extremely competitive categories is a great achievement – and one that acknowledges the tireless efforts of our entire team.

"With the support of the British Business Bank, we have been able to significantly expand our internal finance capabilities over the last two years, an investment which reflects the increasing contribution that the HHF Group makes to the growth of SME’s in Wales, as well as the rest of the UK.

“At HHF we are passionate about developing finance professionals for future leadership positions, a reason why we are so pleased to be sponsoring the ‘rising star’ category at the awards. We are proud to be involved in such a positive initiative for the Welsh finance sector.”

Finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges before the winners are announced at a ceremony in Cardiff on April 20.