Region’s finance directors recognised at glittering ceremony

The winners of the 2018 Northern Finance Director Awards were revealed last night at a prestigious ceremony attended by more than 200 guests.

Sponsored by Barclays, EY and Squire Patton Boggs, and compered by award winning comedian Jo Caulfield, the awards shone the spotlight on the people who are often the unsung heroes of any successful business, highlighting the achievements of finance directors working across the North of England.

The winners were selected by an independent judging panel from an outstanding shortlist of 46 individuals from across a range of sectors and industries in the North.

Candidates were judged on all-round commercial and managerial skills, including interpersonal qualities, business acumen, innovation and influence, as well as technical accounting and financial skills.

The winners were announced across twelve categories:

• Best Finance Director of a limited company up to £25m

Chris Todd, Love Energy Savings, Bolton

• Best Finance Director of a limited company up to £25m- £100m

Beverley Shepherd, Econ, Ripon

• Best Finance Director of a limited company over £100m

Sue Allen, Willerby Limited, Hull

• Best Finance Director of a listed company

Martin Clyburn, Ramsdens, Middlesbrough

• Best Finance Director of a Private Equity Backed business

Martin Johnson, Great Rail Journeys, York

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – Growth

Michael Hughes, Euro Garages, Blackburn

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – Innovation

Scott Fawcett, Pharmacy 2U, Leeds

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – Leadership

Scott Dunning, Future Industrial Services, Liverpool

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – One to Watch

Catherine Earl, AIS – Advanced Industrial Solutions, Newcastle

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – Outstanding achievement

Robin Brown, Nisa, Scunthorpe

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – Strategic Impact

Adam Coates, Premier Technical, Castleford

• Northern Finance Director of the year 2018 – Turnaround

Munaf Yusuf, Bright Blue Food, Blackburn

Hilary Heap, Partner at EY, said: “I have been truly amazed by the exceptionally high calibre of all of the finalists for this year’s award.

“We have some extremely talented finance directors in the North of England and it has been fantastic to highlight all that they have achieved, steering their respective companies through a multitude of challenges and with some incredible successes to celebrate.”

Alex Fogal, Relationship Director at Barclays, said: “We’re proud to continue our support for the Northern Finance Director Awards.

“It is fantastic to see FDs receive due recognition for the pivotal role they play in driving financial success for their company.”

John Alderton, Leeds office Managing Partner at Squire Patton Boggs, who chaired the judging panel, said: “We were overwhelmed with the quality of the nominations, we saw a real spread of businesses in this year’s awards; an incredibly wide mix of size, sectors and specialisms that once again emphasises the vibrancy and strength of businesses here in the Northern Powerhouse.

“We are delighted to continue to recognise the finance director community across the North.”