The East Midlands Finance Awards (EMFA) 2025 was a night to remember as we gathered to honour the talented and dedicated individuals and teams in the finance sector. At Distinct, we firmly believe that the East Midlands is an ideal place in the UK for developing a successful finance career and this event showcased just that.
Taking place on the 17th June and once again hosted at Nottingham Contemporary, the evening was more than just an awards ceremony; it was a vibrant celebration filled with live entertainment, uplifting music and numerous photo opportunities. Now in its fifth year, the EMFA serves as a wonderful platform for local businesses and finance professionals to connect, celebrate their accomplishments and express appreciation for their teams’ hard work. It was truly a well-deserved night of fun, camaraderie and recognition for the exceptional talent in our community.
After the guests enjoyed welcome drinks and street food, our Talent Acquisition Director in Finance, Henry Clarkson, took to the stage as EMFA’s official host for the evening. He introduced an incredible illusionist and royal variety performer, Dean Odell, who amazed the audience with his performance. Following Dean’s act, members of our finance recruitment team presented the individual awards, recognising the runners-up and winners of the EMFA. Once the awards presentation was finished, everyone danced the night away to live music provided by The Burgendys.
We want to extend a special thank you to our award sponsor, Dains and our panel of judges:
- Anshu Mehan, Wills & Probate Partner | Dains
- Natalie Yates, Finance Director | Experian
- Liz Fuge, Deputy Head of Corporate Banking | HSBC
- Nic Elliot, Director & Head of Employment Law | Actons Solicitors
- Kate Box, Founder | HR Impact Lab
- Dawn Connoly, Head of Finance | Bellrock
- Helen Evans, Finance Process Manager | Molson Coors Brewing Company
- Nina Shaw, Financial Controller | Blinds 2go
- Adam Flanagan, BD Director (East Midlands) | Dains
- Neil Musgrove, Finance Director | Experian
- David Bains, Partner, Head of East Midlands & East of England | LDC
- Danny Baker, Head of Finance | Nottinghamshire Police
- Claire Andrews, Director of Business Finance | Dunelm
Congratulations to EMFA 2025’s runners-up and winners:
Finance team of the year (less than 10 staff)
Judged by Anshu, Natalie and Liz, presented by Angela Alcock
Winners: Rough Trade
Runners-up: Browne Jacobson
The judges met with nine fantastic nominees. Common themes emerged across all teams, including hard work, resilience, determination, innovation, embracing change, and a genuine appreciation for everyone’s efforts.
Judge’s comments: Browne Jacobson was a standout runner-up for their successful software implementation in finance, which all team members adopted, leading to a significant reduction in forecasting time from six weeks to two. This improvement allowed for greater focus on business partnering and key performance indicators. The winner, Rough Trade, demonstrated remarkable growth through new store openings and increased financial operations. The accounts team successfully adopted new systems and completed their first audit. Their commitment ensured accurate financial data was provided on time, enabling leadership to make informed strategic decisions.
Rising star
Judged by Nic, Kate and Dawn, presented by Isabella Bailey
Winner: Tanisha Howell, Sygnature Discovery
Runner-up: Harry Milford, Perceptive
Judge’s Comments: Harry played a crucial role in redesigning revenue modelling during a critical growth period. He developed a more accurate, interconnected and forward-looking approach to forecasting, closely linking finance to strategic decision-making. Our winner, Tanisha, has already established a reputation as a future leader. She brings a calm, structured, and commercial mindset to everything she does, building strong cross-functional relationships and simplifying complex issues.
“I’m incredibly honoured and excited to win the Rising Star Award! This recognition means a great deal to me, and I’m truly grateful for the support, mentorship, and opportunities that have helped me grow along the way.
This award is not just a personal milestone; it’s a reflection of the amazing people I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from. Thank you to Wayne Dewis for the nomination and to my colleagues, mentors and peers who continue to inspire and challenge me every day. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and to continuing to grow, contribute, and make a positive impact within my finance career.”
– Tanisha Howell, Rising Star winner
Unsung hero
Judged by Helen and Nina, presented by Michelle Cracknell-Leafe
Winner: Jo Shepherd, Lithia
Runner-up: Emma Thomas, Potter Clarkson
Judge’s comments: Emma was the runner-up due to her selfless dedication and positive impact on the team. Known as a “positive ray of energy,” she transformed the working environment by organising team days that increased engagement. Jo was awarded for her remarkable dedication and influence. She effectively collaborates across teams and takes on leadership roles when needed. Her positive attitude and caring nature, evidenced by her participation in mental health first aid training, make her a respected and approachable figure.
Finance Leader of the Year
Judged by Adam, Neil and David, presented by Henry
Winner: Maria Wright, Fix Auto
Runner-up: Danny Singh, Mattioli Woods
Judge’s comments: Danny combines people-first leadership with strong technical skills. He has restructured the finance function, promoted team development, and achieved significant results. Maria has also transformed the finance function by scaling systems, enhancing reporting, and contributing to the business’s growth, which has helped double its size. She has been recognised for her commitment to personnel development and for fostering a positive, supportive team culture.
“I’m a strong believer and passionate about the critical role the whole Finance team play in any successful business, events such as the EMFA are a fabulous way to showcase this. It was a fabulous and flawless evening of entertainment, which is surely a testament to the hard work that went on behind the scenes by Distinct. Well done for organising such an event to celebrate the talent in the industry. Winning was an extra surprise for me on the night, too, which meant it was an evening I won’t forget in a hurry!”
– Maria Wright, Finance leader of the year winner
Finance Team of the Year (more than 10 staff)
Judged by Danny and Claire, presented by Claire Fletcher
Winner: University of Nottingham
Runner-up: Xylem
Judge’s comments: Xylem showcased resilience, unity, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement. The University of Nottingham were ultimately chosen as the winners for successfully delivering a major ERP project that aligned people and systems under a clear vision. They collaborated across functions and overcame significant challenges to achieve a truly transformative outcome.
“The team from the University of Nottingham have worked incredibly hard for the last few years on our Oracle implementation, and it’s great to have won external recognition of those efforts. I’m so proud of every individual. The delegates who came to the event enjoyed the evening, particularly the magic! Thank you.”
– Kerry Williamson, Director of Procurement & Financial Operations | The University of Nottingham, Finance Team (>10) winner
We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 East Midlands Finance Awards. We hope to see you all at next year’s event!
