Partner Article

FDs’ Excellence Awards 2015 open for entries

Top UK Finance Directors and their service providers are being urged to enter the Real Business FDs’ Excellence Awards. The awards, now in their 11th year, are held in association with ICAEW and supported by the CBI. A total of 18 categories celebrate the most talented Finance Directors (FDs) in the UK, alongside the leading service providers in the sector.

Nominations are opening in the shadow of this year’s Autumn Statement, which saw George Osborne confirm the UK is the fastest growing economy in the G7, and forecasted to grow 3% in 2014, up from the 2.7% predicted in March. This buoyancy is testament to the financial management skills of FDs and other finance leaders within UK businesses.

Previous Winners Previous FDs’ Excellence Award winners often move on to business leading roles. Earlier this month it was announced that Jane Hall of The Innovation Group, who was awarded Quoted FD of the Year Outside the FTSE 350 at last year’s awards, will assume the role of Chief Executive of Business Services in January 2015.

Other previous winners include FDs such as Jo Lister of UNITE Group, software vendors such as SAP and Accountancy Firm Haines Watts. The awards are divided into three parts, covering off private businesses, FTSE companies, and service providers.

Nominations, which can be submitted for the six FDs’ Awards categories, are open until 28th February 2015. These categories recognise role model level Finance Directors in UK-based businesses, with awards ranging from Young Finance Professional of the Year, to Private Company of the Year: Larger Business (50M + turnover).

The three FTSE FDs Award category winners are identified by financial research from corporate intelligence firm Jordans, alongside testimonials from CEOs.

The results of the annual FDs’ Satisfaction Survey, launched on Friday 5th December 2014, determine the winners of the FDs’ Excellence Awards element of the programme. These categories, which include Bank Manager of the Year and Business Bank of the Year, are the ultimate test of service excellence and recognise the full range of service suppliers in the sector.

Michael Izza, ICAEW’s Chief Executive said: “Finance directors have a huge responsibility in driving businesses through the economic recovery. They go beyond numbers. They manage risks that come with the environment in which business operates - which is all the more important when all eyes are currently on geo-politics and the global economy. It is important to celebrate finance directors and their vital contribution to business and wider economy, which is why we support the FDs’ Excellence Awards. They recognise the shining stars in finance and are a beacon for the profession.”

Matthew Fell, CBI Director for Competitive Markets, said: “The UK economic recovery is on track but businesses are facing a number of risks, including the weak Eurozone, slowing emerging markets and political instability. The role of finance directors in successfully navigating these challenges to cement growth for the long-term is critical, and the CBI is proud to support their vital contribution.”

Amy Carroll, Group Editor, Caspian Media adds: “Finance Directors are of vital importance to the UK economy, navigating our businesses through the recession and onto the period of growth we are now seeing, yet their work often doesn’t receive proper recognition. The awards are all about rewarding their excellence, celebrating their success and motivating others to follow in their footsteps.”

fdx.realbusiness.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Martin .