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An independent finance broker based in Caerphilly has proven that underdogs can have their day by winning a prestigious industry award 

MacManus Asset Finance helps firms to finance investments in vehicles, plant, and machinery as well as business loans.

The company, based at Caerphilly Business Park, was named Asset Finance Broker of the Year at the Business Moneyfacts awards in London on April 18 and hosted by TV’s Claudia Winkleman.

Established in 2005 by Chris and Rhian MacManus, the firm went up against some of the biggest names in the industry.

Chris said: “I was incredibly proud of our business, and my team, for being nominated in the industry’s leading awards, but we are far from the biggest brokerage in the UK.

“Some of the firms that made the final list have over 100 employees and are much larger than us.”

He added: “These are arguably the highest profile awards in UK business financing and we were having a fantastic evening. When I heard Claudia say ‘The winner is MacManus Asset Finance Ltd’ I was stunned. It was a real underdog moment.”

The category was judged on the strength of customer testimonials – something which meant a lot to Chris and his team.

He explained: “We were blessed that when we reached out to our business customers and told them we’d made the final they responded overwhelmingly, providing dozens of testimonials about the service they had received from us over the years.

“In the end it would seem that the judges felt we had earned the accolade of Asset Finance Broker of the Year, and we couldn’t be more delighted.”

The firm is hoping the win will help them win more customers in Wales.

Chris said: “There are some incredible business finance brokerages in south Wales with knowledge and skill and a willingness to support local businesses with access to the essential business financing that they need to expand and grow.

“MacManus Asset Finance have clients across the UK that have regularly worked with us for over 15 years and yet it’s sometimes a challenge to convince local firms that we could be their broker of choice.”

“I think there’s an assumption that bigger firms in England must be better. Well, I hope that our winning this award may go some way to change that perception.”