The British bank awards 2025: A night of celebration and success

The answer was a resounding yes. In fact, it might just have been our best one yet…

By Tilly La-Garde, Senior Events Executive, Smart Money People

A memorable occasion

As one of the most hotly anticipated nights in the banking industry, the awards call for a venue to match. This year's event took place at The Brewery – an iconic spot in the heart of London. With its historic brickwork, high-beamed ceilings, and the perfect mix of charm and glamour, it was a venue worthy of the moment. As guests stepped in from the hustle and bustle of the city, they were met with a real sense of occasion – and a whole lot of excitement.

And with nearly 400 people in the room, the atmosphere was buzzing from the very start.

The evening began with a lively drinks reception. The sound of clinking prosecco glasses filled the air (and the non-alcoholic elderflower fizz was a bit of a hit too!), as people caught up with colleagues, friends, and fellow finalists. Guests also took time to browse the silent auction, where some incredible prizes certainly grabbed their attention. And of course, no awards night is complete without the obligatory selfies at the logo wall…

After making their way to their tables, guests were welcomed by Smart Money People's CEO Jacqueline Dewey, followed by Priya Lakshmi from GFT – the evening’s headline sponsor – before settling down to dinner. All three courses were beautifully presented, not to mention delicious (just thinking about that starter is making me feel hungry again!). Meanwhile, the conversations flowed and the anticipation built.

Then came Simon Evans. One of the UK’s most respected comedians, he had the whole room in stitches with his brilliantly timed set. As host, he kept the evening flowing with energy and humour — presenting 29 awards and making it look easy is no mean feat!

Customers decide the winners

The most powerful part of the night? Seeing what it meant to everyone. With nearly 30 categories, over 110 participating companies, and more than 178,000 customer reviews left at Smart Money People to decide the winners, every award carried real meaning. These weren’t just industry recognitions, they were endorsements from the people who matter most – the customers.

The support in the room really struck us. Of course, everyone wants to win – that’s only natural! But the level of encouragement and celebration went way beyond that. Teams jumped to their feet. Cheers echoed across the room. People hugged, high-fived, and even shed a few happy tears. And not just for their own wins – there was a genuine sense of celebration for others, too.

It’s not something you see at every awards event. And it was a compelling reminder of the strength of this sector as a collective – united by a shared commitment to doing right by their customers.

With the final trophy handed out and winners revealed, the lights dimmed – and the party truly began. Like previous events, Clownfish transformed the space into an adult playground with retro arcade games and all-out entertainment. The DJ kept the energy high, spinning tunes that had the packed dancefloor boogying (and singing) well into the early hours.

The whole evening went by in a flash – and it was only the call for last orders at the bar that reminded us it sadly had to end!

Reminiscing on another amazing event

As the dust settles on yet another incredible night, we’ve loved seeing our LinkedIn notifications light up with photos and memories from the evening. Team selfies, trophy close-ups, and dancefloor moments – keep them coming! It’s been brilliant to relive the magic through your posts.

It’s also been great to see winners showcasing their achievements on their websites – and we’ve already spotted a few award badges, too! It’s fantastic seeing the recognition being proudly shared with your customers.

To all our winning and highly commended companies, finalists, headline sponsor GFT, guests, and everyone else who contributed to the event – thank you. You brought the energy and enthusiasm that made this year’s British bank awards so special.

The big question is – can we top it next year? We’ll do our very best!