Run by the websites BusinessCarManager.co.uk and BusinessVans.co.uk, entries for the Awards are now open.

The expanding awards include new categories for dealer based leasing companies, bank-independent leasing companies and manufacturer broker programmes.

Additionally, leasing broker members of the Small Fleet Leasing Federation, who supply vehicle finance to the SME sector, will be voting for the best leasing funder award.

Leasing brokers are playing an increasingly important role in the vehicle finance sector, especially amongst SMEs who are taking advantage of alternative funding options.

And, the latest figures from the BVRLA show that leasing brokers have seen 30% increases in fleet size over the past two years, with the broker car lease fleet reaching almost 120,000 units in 2014. Contract hire remains the top vehicle finance route but personal contract hire was the fast growing option.

Ralph Morton, editorial director of Business Car Manager, said: “The leasing broker sector is going from strength to strength driven on by growing small businesses that are taking advantage of low-risk, fixed-cost motoring.

“Following feedback from previous years, we decided to expand the format to ensure the Small Fleet Leasing Awards 2015 better represents the wide range of funding routes open to small businesses and SMEs wanting to finance new business cars and vans. Our Awards will help them choose those companies that are truly excellent in their operations, safe in the knowledge that their next car or van is being provided by the very best in the market, as well as providing industry recognition to the small leasing providers ”

The Small Fleet Leasing Awards 2015 are supported by Alphabet, Arval, Lex Autolease and Network Vehicles, who are key funders in the leasing broker market.

The Small Fleet Leasing Awards 2015 categories are:

•     Best small fleet leasing company: fewer than 250 vehicles sales
•     Best small fleet leasing company: 250-1000 vehicle sales
•     Best small fleet leasing company: 1000+ vehicle sales
•     Best car manufacturer broker leasing programme
•     Best small fleet leasing marketing award
•     Best small fleet leasing customer service award
•     Best small fleet green leasing company
•     Best small fleet van leasing company
•     Best independent small fleet leasing company
•     Best dealer group small fleet leasing company
•     Best leasing funder award

The closing date for entries is 30 September 2015.