The continued success of Bath-based specialist lender 1pm and its chief operating officer has been recognised in a prestigious industry awards scheme.
1pm landed the title of Independent Lessor of the Year while Maria Lewis, pictured, was presented with the Editor’s Choice accolade at the Annual Leasing World Awards 2015, held in London recently. 
The awards, now in their seventh year, have quickly become established as a leading showcase for the best performing companies and individuals within the leasing industry, providing an opportunity to recognise outstanding achievement across a range of categories, including UK Lessor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and SME Champion of the year. The event was sponsored for the third consecutive year by Hitachi Capital Business Finance.
1pm provides assets finance from £1,000 to £50,000 for a period of between 12 and 60 months and £1,000 to £50,000 for business loans (repaid over 3-36 months).
In June it reported a 20% rise in pre-tax profits to £1.62m on revenues up 31% at £5.5m for the year to May 31 after a surge in new business and a significant increase in business loans.
Chairman Ian Smith said: “These awards are deserved recognition of the company’s continued outstanding commercial and financial performance which has seen the business more than double in size in recent years. This has been driven by the executive team of Maria Lewis and Helen Walker, supported by the entire staff.”
