Sean Mahon recognised for outstanding contribution

FORMER Cattles chief executive Sean Mahon has been awarded the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) top accolade – the outstanding achievement award.

The award, now in its 28th year, is presented to an ICAEW member in recognition of outstanding contribution in any field.

Mr Mahon, who was a partner at PWC for 24 years before joining Cattles, won the award in recognition for his work and commitment to helping underprivileged communities in Yorkshire.

In 1998, he worked with non-governmental organisation Business in the Community to set up and chair the initiative Leeds Care, which today enables more than 40,000 volunteers a year to help schools in deprived areas with plans to improve literacy and numeracy skills of children, homeless and the long-term unemployed.

The initiative has since been established in more than 30 cities across the UK with Mr Mahon chairing the national Cares organisation.

In addition to his charity and community work, Mr. Mahon is the Prince of Wales's business ambassador for Yorkshire and Humberside and honorary treasurer of the Young People's Clubs of South Yorkshire and Hallamshire.

He is also non-executive director for international law firm DLA Piper and chairman of financial services company Jerrold Holdings where he plans to see through its flotation within the next few years.

In accepting his award, Mr. Mahon said:

“I am delighted, surprised and flattered to be presented with the award for outstanding achievement. To receive the award is particularly special because it is an acknowledgment by my peers.”

The ICAEW is not the first body to recognise the acccountant's good work. As well as being awarded an honorary doctorate from his home town university, Sheffield Hallam, Mr Mahon was awarded the Yorkshire Business Award for excellence last year.