Stobart’s Whawell and Betfred’s Nightingale honoured at FD awards

LEADING finance directors operating in Liverpool city region, Chester, Warrington and North Wales were celebrated at a new awards for the sub-region.

Ben Whawell, chief financial officer at logistics and property group Stobart Group was named FD of the Year at the event at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza last night.
 
The contribution of Barry Nightingale at Warrington-based BetFred was also recognised in the entrepreneurial/ commercial excellence category.

Gerald Andrews of ACC Liverpool was named FD of the year for Liverpool, whilst VIP Computers Centre’s Mike Taylor took the Warrington prize. In Chester, Damian McDonald of Meadow Foods Ltd was the winner and Osian Ab Ifan of Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK won the North Wales title.
 
Mr Whawell said “It’s a real honour to win this award, chosen by a strong panel of fellow finance professionals. I’m fortunate to work for a company that looks to its finance team to drive performance, and I’d like to dedicate it to everyone at Stobart who help make the company a success.”
 
Neil Sturmey, partner and head of Grant Thornton’s Liverpool office, which was one of the sponsors said “These awards celebrate the best finance directors and their teamwork in helping lead their organisations out of recession.”

The other winners were:
 
Best Finance Director of a Ltd company (under £12m turnover): Peter Moss, CPL Online
                        
Best Finance Director of a Ltd company (£12m – £35m turnover): Bryce Brooks, Flowtech Holdings
                        
Best Finance Director of a Ltd company (£35m – £100m): Steve Kenyon, Thomas Hardie Commercials
                        
Best Finance Director of a Ltd company (above £100mn turnover): Phil Byrom, Watkin Jones Group
                        
Young Finance Director of the Year (under 40 years of age): David Drabble, Aimia Foods
                        
Best Finance Director of a Plc: Yvonne Monaghan, Johnson Service Group
                        
Best Finance Director for a Non Profit/Public Sector Organisation: Kieran Timmins, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service
                        
Best Finance Director for an International Business (under £40m turnover): Philip Whitehead, Henrob
                        
Best Finance Director for an International Business (over £40m turnover): Gabriele Da Re,  Reflex & Allen