East Midlands Finance Awards
Thursday 14th May 2026, 6:30 – 11:30pm
Nottingham Contemporary, City Centre, NG1
The East Midlands Finance Awards (EMFA) will return once again in 2026 to celebrate the region’s best finance professionals and teams.
At Distinct, we believe that the East Midlands is the best place in the UK to build a thriving finance career.
Founded in 2019, the EMFA is the region’s only awards dedicated to honouring the incredibly hardworking teams and talented individuals who often go unrecognised. In short, the EMFA provides finance professionals with a well-deserved moment in the spotlight!
The EMFA offers the perfect celebration, providing a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to come together, show appreciation for their employees and enjoy a much-deserved evening of fun.
Our 2026 event will feature a new and delicious menu, captivating entertainment, live music, a dedicated photo area, and group tables to ensure that attendees have equal opportunities to socialise while having their own space.
EMFA Tickets
Tickets for the EMFA are now on sale!
Tickets are priced at £55 plus VAT each and can be purchased directly from Distinct. Once you have submitted your order below, our accounts team will raise an invoice and send it back to you for payment.
Tables & seating:
Each table seats 10 guests. Purchasing 10 tickets gives you a private table for your group.
There is no limit on ticket numbers. If you book more than 10 tickets, you will receive additional tables, with up to 10 guests seated at each table. Bookings of fewer than 10 will be seated together and will likely share a table with other guests.
As a non-profit event, all proceeds made after costs will be donated to our annual charity partner, to be announced shortly.
The entertainment
Performer
Magic Marco has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years. With his unique blend of magic and humour, Marco creates an atmosphere of amazement and fun, leaving guests questioning what they’ve just witnessed. We can’t wait to be captivated by his performance!
Live music
Local East Midlands band, The Burgundys will be performing live throughout the evening. With an eclectic mix of hits spanning the decades, they’re guaranteed to get and keep your team dancing all night.
Hear from previous attendees
EMFA’s 2026 sponsor: Cooper Parry!
2026 award categories
Applications to enter the EMFA are now closed.
The nominees for each category will be announced on our company’s LinkedIn page.
Rising star
Open to individuals at any level, with any number of years experience, from QBE through to part-qual or qualified. The winner of this award will have fantastic examples of going above and beyond, showing truly exceptional promise for their future finance career.
Unsung hero
This award is for that person your team relies on to make everything run well – and who truly deserves a moment in the spotlight. Whether it’s in the ledger team, credit control, payroll, FP&A or anywhere in finance.
Finance Leader of the year
This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise an inspirational leader and celebrate their outstanding contribution to their business and / or teams over the past 12 months.
Finance team of the year (<10 staff)
Open to finance teams with fewer than 10 staff that have achieved excellence in providing financial support to any business or business area, in either the private or public sector.
Finance team of the year (>10 staff)
Open to finance teams of 10 or more staff that support any business or business area, providing first-class financial support and insight in either the public or private sector.
New! Transactional Finance
New for 2026! This award recognises individuals who have made a measurable impact. Nominees will be celebrated for their contributions in areas such as improving accuracy, efficiency and compliance, enhancing processes and reporting; leveraging technology or fostering collaboration.
EMFA's judging panel
Distinct remains completely impartial in the selection of all EMFA award winners. We take this unique opportunity to form a small panel of external judges, comprising business leaders and industry experts. For full transparency, please see the official EMFA 2026 judging panel below.
Anthony Howarth, Global Head of Accounts at Rough Trade | Tanisha Howell, Assistant Financial Accountant at Sygnature Discovery (& winner of Rising Star 2025) | Wayne Dewis, Group Head of Finance at Sygnature Discovery | Jo Shepherd, Executive Commercial Leader, Multi Academy Trust (& winner of Unsung Hero 2025) | Maria Wright, Finance Director at Fix Auto (& winner of the Finance Leader 2025) | Kerry Williamson, Director of Procurement & Financial Operations at the University of Nottingham | Rebecca Eden, Payroll Manager at Pendragon | Nic Elliot, Director & Head of Employment Law at Actions Solicitors | Paul Rowley, Partner at Cooper Parry | Amy Broomhead, Director of Commercial Finance at Cooper Parry | Sarah Gowar, Head of Finance Integration at Cooper Parry | John Acaster, Transactional Services Manager at Buzz Bingo.
Further information can also be found in the “How are nominations judged?” section of our FAQ below.
Your FAQs
How much does it cost to enter?
It’s free to enter the EMFA and to nominate someone for an award.
How are nominations judged?
Your nomination will be shared with our panel of judges after the closing date.
Distinct play no part whatsoever in the judging of any nominations for the EMFA. We’re proud to partner with a range of distinguished event partners (previously including HSBC, the ICAEW and the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce) who take on the unenviable task of judging all nominations.
Our event partners usually work in pairs to judge one-to-two award categories each, working to an agreed judging model to ascertain who they believe are the worthy winners & runners up. This judging model typically involves a meeting to understand each nomination with the individual, team, person that nominated for the award.
When do I find out the results?
Shortlisted finalists are usually announced around four-to-six weeks before the awards celebration & presentation evening. Winners & Runners Up are announced on the night itself.
How much are tickets to attend?
This year, tickets are expected to be around £55+VAT per head and offer exceptional value for an unforgettable evening. Your ticket includes:
- A welcome drink to kick off the celebrations
- A two-course meal featuring street food from around the world
- Reserved seating for the awards presentation and entertainment
- A complimentary drink to toast after the ceremony
- A gift bag to take home at the end of the night
Is there a minimum / maximum ticket allowance?
No, there is no minimum or maximum ticket allowance.
The awards will have tables for 10 people, and a maximum of 10 tickets purchased will ensure those attendees are seated together.
What’s the dress code?
Imagine you going for dinner & cocktails with your friends on a Saturday night. No bow-ties or black tie, we want you to be comfortable and enjoy the occasion – one particular award winner attended wearing shorts & flip-flops!
Order your tickets for the EMFA 2026
Tickets are priced at £55 plus VAT each and can be purchased directly from Distinct. Once you have submitted your order below, our accounts team will raise an invoice and send it back to you for payment.
There is no limit on ticket numbers. Purchasing 10 tickets gives you a private table for your group. If you book more than 10 tickets, you will receive additional tables, with up to 10 guests seated at each table. Bookings of fewer than 10 will be seated together and will likely share a table with other guests.
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