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
