The top finance directors of Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and North Wales were honoured at the Finance Director of the Year awards gala at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool last week (Thursday 12 November).
Greg Pateras, group finance director at online retailer Shop Direct of Speke, Liverpool, was named overall winner at the event.
The awards, supported by Accountable Recruitment, Grant Thornton, Hill Dickinson and HSBC, showcase leading financial directors and CFOs in businesses and public sector organisations.
Malcolm Jackson of Langtree Property Partners took home the special recognition award while Tony Wade of The Liverpool City region Local Enterprise Partnership was named FD of the Year for the Liverpool City Region.
In Cheshire, John Beech of Fayrefield Foods was given the same accolade, while Andrew Bickerton of Dee Valley Group won the award for North Wales.
Other category winners included Stuart Payne of Wealth at Work as Best FD for a Financial Services Business and in the Non-Profit Organisation category, Lynton Green of Warrington Borough Council was selected.
Dave Wilson of GB Group plc won the category for the companies in the £50 million+ turnover band. Mark Roach of George Roberts (North West) Ltd (£21-£50 million); Tony Tinker of The Contact Company (TCC) (£11-£20 million turnover) and Carol Thomas of SOG ltd (Up to £10 million) were the other turnover category winners.
Charles Gray of Armitt Group, which operates from a base at Runcorn, was named best FD in the Commercial/Entrepreneurial excellence category while Young FD of the Year (under 40 years of age) went to Martin Stewart of Formby-based Victorian Plumbing Ltd.
Carl Williams, North West managing partner at business advisors Grant Thornton LLP, said: “The number and quality of nominations this year was truly impressive, resulting in a very hard selection process. The winners are a group of outstanding finance professionals, who all demonstrate excellent technical ability. This is complemented by their resilience, integrity and leadership skills, attributes that make them all exceptional FD’s. These awards highlight the sheer calibre of FD’s we have within the North West.”
Simon Massey, managing director at Accountable Recruitment, said “I’d like to congratulate all of the finalists and winners. Finance professionals play an essential role in helping drive our local organisations forward. Our judging panel met a very high standard of individuals this year showing that our region has some of the brightest and best finance directors around. This business excellence results in a significant contribution to our local economy.”
Tony Fulton, corporate area director at HSBC, said: “It was a very difficult task to pick the winners for each category from very competitive shortlists. Our region boasts some fantastic businesses and HSBC works with many of the companies listed. We know first-hand the hard work and effort that goes into operating successful businesses by these talented FDs. It was an excellent evening celebrating some great individuals and we congratulate all the winners.”
Sue Russell, partner at Hill Dickinson, said: “The shortlist for this year’s award exhibited some outstanding talent, it was a tremendously difficult job toselect the winners. These awards highlight not only the quality of finance directors but also the strength of the businesses we have in our region, which is something we can all celebrate.”
The full list of winners follows:
Finance Director of the Year Liverpool City Region
Tony Wade – Liverpool LEP
Finance Director of the Year North Wales
Andrew Bickerton – Dee Valley Group
Finance Director of the Year Cheshire
John Beech – Fayrefield foods
Special Recognition Award
Malcolm Jackson – Langtree
Overall Winner
Greg Pateras – Shop Direct
Finance Director of the year non profit organisation
Lynton Green – Warrington Borough Council
Finance Director of the Year up to £10 Million Turnover
Carol Thomas – SOG Ltd
Finance Director of the Year £11-20 Million Turnover
Tony Tinker – The Contact Company (TCC)
Finance Director of the Year £21-50 Million Turnover
Mark Roach – George Roberts (North West) Ltd
Finance Director of the Year £50 Million + Turnover
Dave Wilson – GB Group plc
Young Finance Director of the Year (under 40 years of age)
Martin Stewart – Victorian Plumbing Ltd
Finance Director of the Year Entrepreneurial/Commercial Excellence
Charles Gray – Armitt Group
Best Finance Director of the Year for a Financial Services Business
Stuart Payne – Wealth at Work Ltd