The winners:
Store of the Year – Mallard Pawnbrokers – Ilford
Judges were impressed with the amazing effort put into the store to create excellent customer service. It has produced some impressive retail, pledge and gold-buying figures, and customers continually comment on the eye-catching beauty of the seasonal window displays. The store has continually increased its customer base through friends and family referrals from its customers.
Employer of the Year (Independent) – Posh Pawn
Owner James Constantinou has built an outstanding business, revealing loan book growth over the past two years of almost 50%, with annual interest income surpassing £5.3m. The employees respect James, not because of what he has achieved but because of how he treats the people who have helped him achieve it. All staff are given the opportunity to develop and progress through the business. Indeed, all employees are encouraged to attend the NPA’s training courses and all have achieved the Certificate in Pawnbroking Excellence.
Employer of the Year (Corporate) – H&T Group
Staff are empowered to build core skills and progress their careers through its Aspire career pathway, with its Inspire leadership initiative setting out to elevate management capabilities across the business. A recent staff survey highlights deep organisational pride and motivation across all areas. Over 72% are proud to work for H&T and see themselves staying with the company for at least the next two years. Plus, over 80% of employees stated they care deeply about the future of the business. H&T’s leadership strategy aims to dismantle old industry perceptions by prioritising people above all else.
Employee of the Year – Ruby Kaur – H&T Group
Area Manager Ruby was singled out as someone who genuinely cares about her people, her customers and the communities within which the stores operate. Indeed, earlier this year she was nominated by her peers to win the CEO Special Recognition Award in the company’s Annual Awards. She took the opportunity to make stores more welcoming and relevant to the diverse communities they serve by creating a Diwali initiative that resulted in a clear commercial benefit, and increased footfall and sales. Working with new suppliers, Ruby has brought additional high-grade 22ct gold into the stores.
Community Contribution – Cash Converters UK
The Genie’s Wish is the chosen charity for Cash Converters UK. To support the charity in January, a team of nine, made up of several Senior Managers – including their CEO – and a selection of franchise owners from across the network, headed to Rovaniemi, Finland, to spend three days trekking deep into the Arctic Circle. They set out not only to raise a significant sum for charity but also to strengthen their working relationships and test their endurance in one of the world’s harshest environments. Every single person on the trek paid £2,500 to make sure it was self-funded. The team’s sponsors created a website explaining everything they wanted to achieve and covered the cost of the kit, and the team created a scratch card promotion and held mini events throughout the year leading up to the actual trek. In total, they raised a staggering £256,998.00.
Community Contribution (Highly Commended) – Ramsdens
Similarly to Cash Converters, Ramsdens as a company, along with its individual team members, offers fantastic support to local communities. One of the charities it supports is Teesside Hospice, which helps some 4,000 people every year by offering care, compassion and dignity. Over a 12-year period, the hospice has received almost £88,000 from Ramsdens’ various fundraising events. In addition, centrally the company contributes to the Great North Air Ambulance Service, supports five charities selected by employees, and works with both the Ductu Portal, supporting disadvantaged children, and the Good Things Foundation, which allows more people to access essential online services. Ramsdens employees support a loose coin scheme, fundraise for local causes and receive paid time off to volunteer for a local good cause. This year, an estimated £100k will be raised.
Certificate in Pawnbroking Excellence, Student of the Year – Susan Lanahan – Mays
This award is based on achieving top marks in the NPA’s Certificate in Pawnbroking Excellence.
Students study five modules based on pawnbroking, law and compliance, and technical knowledge of metals and jewellery.
Certificate in Diamonds – Georgia Kendall – Cash Shop Ltd
The additional award this year is to support the importance of training and developing NPA members’ staff. This category is for the person who gained top marks for the NPA Certificate in Diamonds Course. Cash Shop Ltd, the company Giorgia is employed by, has been offering its services since 2004 in 10 locations, including pawnbroking, buyback, foreign currency and retail sales.
Lifetime Achievement Award and Certificate of Fellowship – Stephen Atkins
This accolade is only given to those who have dedicated their professional time to the cause of pawnbroking and have specifically excelled in helping or servicing the NPA. Stephen is well known across many financial sectors, having a distinguished career in the lending sector, focusing on regulatory and compliance matters. He has been involved in writing regulatory code and consulting with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and is a founding member of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries. He has been appointed to the FCA Smaller Business Practitioner Panel and worked on sub-panels with the Financial Ombudsman Service, the FCA and HM Treasury. He is recognised as an expert witness and has worked on some of the largest mortgage and loan cases for regulated and un-regulated activity. Stephen has supported the NPA and its members for many years, including with the transition from the Office of Fair Trading to the FCA. He is the NPA’s pawnbroking regulatory subject matter expert who continues to support members, including with adherence to the Consumer Duty requirements and helping to review regulatory frameworks.
Apprentice of the Year – Laura Bujanauskiene – Cash Converters (UK) – Lewisham
This is a new award recognising the 12-month Pawnbroking Apprenticeship Scheme which is open to all NPA members and is funded by unused training levies from the three corporate stores. This course would normally cost over £10k; however, it is being offered free of charge to all NPA members. After careful consideration and taking feedback from the programme’s training teams, Laura gained a Distinction in the Pawnbroking Apprenticeship Scheme and was also promoted to Assistant Store Manager in March 2026.
Congratulating the winners, Peter Hall, NPA Chief Executive said: “The NPA Annual Conference and Awards Dinner is a highlight in our sector’s calendar and celebrates excellence across our industry. Thanks to all those who entered the 2026 Annual Awards and congratulations to the winners.
Ends
Press contact: Peter Hall, NPA Chief Executive
Tel: 07735 886930
Email: peter.hall@thenpa.com