Speedy boss races to victory

THE boss of Speedy Hire was last night crowned North West director of the year.

Steve Corcoran beat off tough competition to win the coveted accolade at the Institute of Directors’ North West Director of the Year awards held at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Mr Corcoran became chief executive of Newton-le-Willows based Speedy Hire in 2005, and has led the group on an aggressive acquisition strategy which has seen it splash out more than £140m on rival firms over the last 12 months alone.

Under his leadership, Speedy Hire now has a turnover in excess of £465m and is the UK’s biggest tool hire company.

Mr Corcoran was named Liverpool director of the year before winning the overall regional prize at the event which was hosted by sports presenter Gabby Logan.

More than 600 of the region’s business elite attended the awards which saw property entrepreneur and Burnley FC director Brendan Flood of Modus being named as Manchester director of the year.

The Cumbrian award went to Peter Barton of Forge Europa, Michael Fort of Synexus Clinical Research was named Lancashire director of the year, while Dylan Thwaites of Latitude Group took the title for Cheshire.

A special chairman’s award was presented to Anil Ruia of Wrengate, while Debbie Pierce of The Bury Black Pudding Company won the Winning Women director award.

Darrell Matthews, regional director of the IoD in the North West, said: “This is the fifth year we have run the awards and it has been fantastic to be reminded of the impressive expertise and range of industries we have here in the North West, especially in such economically turbulent times.

“The number of nominations has been a record this year and every individual was of an exceptionally high calibre. The winners and finalists are all well deserved and are true examples of the talent that exists in our region.

 We look forward to identifying even more of the region’s top leaders at next year’s awards.”