Alphera Financial Services has picked up two awards for its innovation and customer service at separate industry events.

The BMW Group division has been named Non-bank Owned Independent Finance Provider of the Year at the Motor Finance Europe Awards 2018, as well as Car Finance Provider of the Year at the 2018 Credit Awards.

“We always encourage our partners and others in the industry to challenge us to do better, and these awards show we’re on the right track,” said Gerry Kouris, marketing manager at Alphera.

“We established a new accreditation scheme with the IMI to deliver the skills and knowledge needed to confidently qualify customers, as well as to provide a platform for self-regulation to support compliance, introducing shared core values across dealerships."

Last year, the business funded £1.2 billion in car finance – a 68% increase over 2016. It also grew it dealer parteners by 11% in the same period.

Jonathan Minter, group editor at Motor Finance Europe, said: “One of the strongest categories this year, judges nonetheless felt that Alphera really set itself apart with its focus on putting partnerships at the heart of everything it does.

"It has been rewarded with extremely strong growth rates. Instead of resting on its laurels, the company has continued to innovate, including working with institutes to promote dealer accreditation and launching incentive initiatives rewarding good customer outcomes.”