Yorkshire Leadership Awards – winners revealed

David Brennan, the chief executive of fast-growing Nexus Vehicle Rental, was crowned Leader of the Year at TheBusinessDesk.com’s inaugural Yorkshire Leadership Awards on Wednesday afternoon.

In front of an audience of more than 230 business leaders at The Queens Hotel in Leeds, the achievements of the region’s leaders were celebrated by their peers.

David Brennan

Brennan joined Nexus vehicle rental as CEO in May 2014 and has since spearheaded the business’ rapid growth, increasing turnover from £42.7m in 2014 to a forecast £80m in 2018. He was also named the winner of the Company Leader (100+ employees) category.  

Brennan was entered into the awards for his “clear focus on developing a compelling strategy and then empowering the directors and employees to deliver this strategy, whilst investing in new technology.” The nomination entry also stated that Brennan had been instrumental in encouraging and supporting employees to develop to their full potential, delivering annual training plans.

Picture gallery of the winners across all ten award catagories can be viewed online.

The awards were supported by headline sponsor Leeds Beckett University’s Leeds Business School. Award categories were sponsored by Progeny, Ellis Whittam, Brewin Dolphin and West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. Drinks were sponsored by The Technology Group and afterwards guests enjoyed a complimentary drink at The Banyan in City Square to celebrate. The event also raised money for TheBusinessDesk.com’s annual charity partner – Leeds Community Foundation.

Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of Leeds Business School, Leeds Beckett University, said: “The inaugural Yorkshire Leadership Awards are a great way to showcase the depth and variety of talent we have across the county.

“At Leeds Business School, we are committed to supporting businesses of all sizes and sectors, developing sustainable strategies for the future, and resilient and agile leaders. I’m delighted we are able to demonstrate that commitment by supporting these awards and celebrating the great leaders in our region.”

Rugby league player Jamie Peacock addressed the audience at the awards, when he spoke about how strong leadership and teamwork can lead to great success. Peacock is widely acknowledged as one of the best players of the Super League era. In a distinguished career for Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos, Peacock won nine league titles, four Challenge Cups and four World Club Challenge trophies.

Kayley Worsley, Yorkshire editor at TheBusinessDesk.com, said: “These awards have been created by us to recognise achievements of leaders across the region who have shown true leadership qualities in a modern world. Leaders  were shortlisted for the way they inspire and collaborate, as well as how they invest time and energy into their team members to achieve great results for individuals as well as businesses.

Judging panel

“I found this afternoon’s awards ceremony incredibly inspiring. It was great to hear how leaders are making a positive difference across all sizes and sectors of the business community. Thanks to all of our sponsors, judges and wonderful shortlisted individuals for a great afternoon – and congratulations to all those shortlisted.”

More than 35 leaders from across Yorkshire were shortlisted, representing business, professional services, academia and third sector.

The independent Yorkshire Leadership Awards judging panel was made up of Paula Dillon, president, Leeds Chamber of Commerce, Eve Roodhouse, chief officer for economic development, Leeds City Council, Henri Murison, director, Northern Powerhouse Partnership Professor George Lodorfos, dean, Leeds Beckett University Business School and Kayley Worsley, Yorkshire editor, TheBusinessDesk.com

 

The 2018 Yorkshire Leadership Awards winners are: 

 

Public and Third Sector

Mike Richardson, City of York Council

 

Young Leader  – Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin 

Ellie MacDonald, MacComms

 

Best Leadership Programme 

PwC Leadership Development Programme

 

Diversity and Inclusion Leader

Becky Hewitt, Leeds Building Society

 

Empowering Potential – Sponsored by Ellis Whittam  

Rachel Engwell, Grant Thornton

 

Professional Services Leader 

Caroline Pullich, Barclays

 

Transformational Leader – Sponsored by West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce  

Paul Teasdale, Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG)

 

 

 

Company Leader (Up to 100 employees) – Sponsored by Progeny

Paul Parkinson, Synergy Automotive

 

 

 

Company Leader (100+ employees) – Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin 

David Brennan, Nexus Vehicle Rental

 

Leader of the Year 

David Brennan, Nexus Vehicle Rental

 

 

2018 Yorkshire Leadership Awards – Full shortlist

Public and Third Sector 

Marie Peacock, Candlelighters

Mike Richardson, City of York Council

 

Young Leader  – Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin 

Andy Shatwell, Charlton Morris

Ellie MacDonald, MacComms

Michal Szlas, OTTY Sleep

 

Best Leadership Programme 

PwC Leadership Development Programme

Ramsdens Management Programme (RMP)

Hermes/Common Purpose

 

Diversity and Inclusion Leader

Becky Hewitt, Leeds Building Society

Victoria Davey, Gordons

Professor Uduak Archibong, University of Bradford

Rachel Iveson-Brown, RSM

 

Empowering Potential – Sponsored by Ellis Whittam 

Trevor Wheatly, Aspire Development UK

Rachel Jansen, YorkTest Laboratories

Rachel Engwell, Grant Thornton

Paul Parkinson, Synergy Automotive

Mark Garratt, University of Bradford

 

Professional Services Leader 

Jillian Thomas, Future Life Wealth Management

Caroline Pullich, Barclays

John Alderton, Squire Patton Boggs

Allison Page, DLA Piper

Andy Wood, Grant Thornton

 

Transformational Leader – Sponsored by West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce  

Richard Corbridge, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Caroline Fattorini, Bowman Riley

Robert Harder, Hollinbay

David Laws, Leeds Bradford Airport

Paul Teasdale, Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG)

 

Company Leader (Up to 100 employees) – Sponsored by Progeny

Jonathan Sanderson, Corecom Consulting

Zandra Moore, Panintelligence

Jonathan Marsden, The Technology Group

Paul Parkinson, Synergy Automotive

Anna Sutton, The Data Shed

 

Company Leader (100+ employees) – Sponsored by Brewin Dolphin 

Craig Naylor-Smith, Parseq

David Brennan, Nexus Vehicle Rental

Jacqui Hall, CNG

Gary Gallen, rradar

Paul Teasdale, Premier Technical Services Group (PTSG)

 

Leader of the Year 

Announced on the afternoon

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