Newport-based Henry Howard Finance, one of the UK’s largest independent finance houses, has been awarded the title of ‘Wales Large Company Management Team of the Year’ at the BVCA Management Team Awards.

The annual awards, now in their 10th year, are organised by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association and celebrate the work of businesses backed by private equity and venture capital in the UK.

HHF co-founder and director Mark Crook said: “This award is a huge achievement for the firm and we’re delighted that HHF’s efforts during the past few years have been recognised as we continue our journey from a specialist brokerage firm into a major commercial lender.

“It goes without saying that our investment from Cabot Square Capital and the British Business Bank has played an integral role in the company’s journey, success and growth.

"Their additional capital helped us achieve a record-breaking year in 2017, during which we provided funding to more than 8,000 businesses, grew our own book balance sheet by more than 40 per cent and pushed our asset-based funding volumes past the £100m threshold.

"We were also able to invest in innovative technology that makes the finance journey quicker and easier for SMEs.

"One such example is HowApp, an online portal designed to ensure businesses have access to flexible finance options at the click of a button, without having to spend time on the lengthy paperwork process often associated with finance applications.

“After a record-breaking 2017, we’re enjoying a positive few months of the new year as we continue to grow the company with the backing of Cabot Square Capital and the British Business Bank.”