YORK commercial finance broker Acorn Commercial Finance has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry award.

The Clifton Moor-based broker is the first Yorkshire broker to be shortlisted in the Business Moneyfacts Awards.

Paul Thompson, partner at Acorn, said it had taken an innovative approach to sourcing finance from a variety of providers, which has helped it become a specialist for the licensed trade.

“We’ve always needed to innovate to give a better offer and service than the high-street banks.

“This resourcefulness has helped us to survive the recession which has seen up to a third of brokers shutting up shop as well as a number of banks.”

He said the recession had actually helped Acorn broaden its offering to help more types of business, including property investors, developers, retailers, care providers and even a private school, from sources including “challenger banks” outside the big four banks, building societies, investment trusts, client’s own pension savings pots, and peer-to-peer funding companies as well as traditional banks.