Widger named as ‘innovator of the year’
PAUL Widger of accountancy firm Baker Tilly was named Professional Innovator of the Year 2011 at an event held by Future Pro Manchester last night.
Widger, a forensic accountant, picked up the award at the Professional Innovator challenge, an event organised by the networking group for younger people working in professional services to recognise rising stars in the financial and professional services community.
He faced competition from Rob Illidge, a marketing executive at Ralli Solicitors; Isobel Donaldson, a management consultant at PWC; Manchester Business School student Chris Hunt; Danny Callan of Oldham College; and Natalie Healey, a student at the College of Law.
Danny Callan from Oldham College took the title of Student Innovator of the Year. Callan, 18, runs an online business creating websites and offering other web services.
Entrants took part in a series of challenges and faced interviews with a panel of judges including chief executive of Laterooms.com Chris Morris, Coral Grainger of Capital Relations and last year’s winner Melissa Davis of Carter Corson.
Alex Solk from the Future Pro Manchester committee said: “The challenge is all about showing that our city’s young talent has the ability to innovate and seize on opportunities.
“It’s fantastic to see that innovation and entrepreneurial spirit is alive in professional services and in our region’s colleges and universities and we are delighted for our winners – Manchester should be proud.”
