12:47 pm, July 14, 2026
We bolstered the Car Dealer Power awards with a new category in 2025. Finance Broker was introduced to recognise the vital role firms have in getting finance agreements over the line.
Taking the inaugural gong was Octane Finance on account of its knowledge and friendly team. One year on and the Essex-based firm has scooped it again.
Commenting on what it means to the company and its team of people, managing director Dan Horner said: ‘Winning it a second time is just great. It shows that it wasn’t a one-time fluke and was well deserved. We’re very proud.’
He added: ‘The team is ecstatic. They’re very proud. They’re not just coming into work believing they’re working for the best company – it’s been proven that we are the best company, and that’s what it means.
‘We all believe that we’re working for the best and, to actually win it, it just gives us that accolade.’
Horner believes Octane’s success is built on maintaining strong personal relationships with dealers, despite the rapid pace of technological change.
‘I’ve got to think it’s our personal touch,’ he said.
‘When we set this business up eight years ago, our mantra was always, “People like to deal with people”.
‘Yes, systems and technology are moving at an incredible rate, which we embrace, and it plays a part within our business, but we’re human beings at the end of the day and we like to be personal.
‘From our socials, to what we do, to the team in the office, to where they engage with our dealers, to the guys that are on the road supporting them and doing what we do, we just make it enjoyable, which is the main thing.
‘When you’re having fun, everything’s good.’
While personal service remains central to the business, Horner revealed Octane is investing heavily in artificial intelligence to improve efficiency without compromising customer relationships.
‘We are heavily investing and looking at AI,” he said.
‘It’s not coming to the business yet. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes that we’re doing.
‘We don’t want to take away from the personal part, but that will help create efficiencies.’
He added that the company remains focused on making it easier for dealers to do business.
‘Another thing that we’ve always learned is business is built on speed, ease and convenience,’ he said.
‘We’ll continue to improve that and just be the best we can be.’
Looking ahead, Horner hinted that dealers can expect further developments over the coming year as the business continues to grow.
‘There’s a lot to look forward to in the next coming 12 months,’ he said.
- W: octanefinance.co.uk
- T: 01268 211611
- E: [email protected]
