Automotive finance company Oodle has been recognised as an industry ‘game-changer’ at this year’s Car Finance Awards.

It joined established industry names including BMW Financial Services, Close Brothers Motor Finance and Northridge Finance in achieving industry recognition at the annual awards ceremony, hosted by Credit Strategy.

The Car Finance Awards' game-changer category recognises a finance company which is "changing the game with a fresh and new approach to auto finance in the UK". 

Jonathan Clayton, the founder of Oodle, said: “We’re thrilled to have won the Gamechanger Award. Of all the categories up for grabs, this is the one that means the most to us - our mission has always been to transform car buying for the better; not by tinkering around the edges, but by completely reinventing car finance for buyers and dealers.”

The award follows the company making changes to its leadership team, including the appointment of Richard Gaskin as chief executive designate.

Oodle said its innovative OodlePay digital wallet car finance solution is designed with omnichannel buying journeys in mind.

It allows customers to secure finance before continuing their purchasing journey and also helps meet dealers’ needs by delivering 'ready-to-go' customers and improved speed of sales, Oodle said. 

Clayton added: “We set out to deliver an innovative finance approach that bridges the gap between dealers and customers and gives the best finance experience. This award shows that approach is working.

“This achievement reflects all of the dedication and hard work our team has put in over the years. We are extremely proud to be recognised as innovators in our industry, and to be setting the bar by delivering a market-changing finance proposition.”

Among the other winners at the Car Finance Awards 2022 were DSG Finance Group, which secured the Best Service for Dealers Award, along with the Best Company to Work for In Car Finance Award. 

Oracle Car Finance was named the Best Special Car Finance Provider, iVendi won the Best Technology Partner Award, while Evolution Funding picked up the Best Broker Award and Best Direct Consumer Proposition Award.

The May issue of AM magazine provides the latest news on the digital disruptors and insights into motor finance's digitalisation.

Other Car Finance Awards 2022 winners:

Company Award for Sustainability - Auto Trader

Company Award for Diversity & Inclusion - BMW Financial Services

Innovation Award - Close Brothers Motor Finance

Best Use of Technology - AutoConvert

Rising Star - Sam Baker, Moneybarn

Car Finance Business Leader of the Year - Oliver Mackaness, Billing Finance

Best Relationship Manager - Alison Susca, BNP Paribas Personal Finance

Best Independent Lender (Bank Owned) - Sponsored by Evolution Funding - Northridge Finance

Best Independent Lender (Non-Bank Owned) - Billing Finance