News
Institute of Directors announces North West Director of the Year 2010 finalists
Following an intensive judging process, the Institute of Directors (IoD) North West has announced its finalists for the prestigious Director of the Year Awards 2010.
The finalists, shown below, were narrowed down from 160 entries from directors across the North West region, following an in-depth interview process led by Armstrong Craven.
Darrell Matthews, Regional Director of the IoD in the North West, commented: “The judging panel was extremely impressed by the high number of outstanding directors who were nominated in 2010 following another difficult year for business, and I believe this list of nominees is a prime example of what the North West has to offer.
Cumbria Director of the Year
Maria Whitehead - The Hawkshead Relish Company
Paul Hopper - Northern Securities
Cheshire Director of the Year
Chris Harrison - Fresenius Kabi
Brendan Hynes - Nichols
Rob Crossland - Parasol
Cheshire Young Director of the Year
Steve Swift - Aerelink
Marc Duschenes - Braemar
Gary Smith - Prism
Manchester Director of the Year
Phil Jones - Brother
Mottie Kessler - 2M
Peter Schofield - Tetrosyl
Manchester Young Director of the Year
Ben Davies - The Neighbourhood
Fajer Rabia - Inspired Sisters
Richard Tang - Zen internet
Liverpool Director of the Year
Elfred Thomas - i3
Matt Johnson - Mando
Andrew McNair - OSS
Liverpool Young Director of the Year
Rob Maxwell - Aztec
Phil Hodgkinson - Compass Cost Consultants
Daniel Davies - CPL
Lancashire Director of the Year
Peter Cousins - Brighter Futures
Jane Scott - Keystage Teacher Supplies
Kevin Moseley - SwimFin
Lancashire Young Director of the Year
Simon Cutler - Elite
Richard Freye - Service Care
Natasa Sabanovic - Whittle Eastern Europe
Yorkshire Bank Akroyd Award
Phil Hodgkinson - Compass Cost Consultants
Maria Whitehead - The Hawkshead Relish Company
Gary Smith - Prism
International Director of the Year
Chris Purslow - ATG Willard
Gavin Wheeldon - ALS
Mark Greaves - Flowcrete
Ann Jordan, Regional Chair of the IoD and in charge of the judging panel, commented: “Business directors need to act decisively in an uncertain economy to help steer their businesses and employees through tough times, or on to new opportunities, and we looked for these attributes during the judging process. As a result, we have a phenomenally high-calibre of finalists in this year’s awards, and I look forward to seeing the final results at the awards dinner in October.”
This year’s winners will be announced on 7th October at the Hilton Hotel Deansgate, with the awards ceremony being hosted by BBC TV’s Nicholas Owen.
To reserve a table or buy single tickets for the Black Tie Gala Awards Dinner please contact Andrea Lowe on 0161 247 7634.
IoD confirms move to City Tower
The Institute of Directors is to move its North West operation to a new location at City Tower. The move is another milestone for the IoD, which has enjoyed a busy 2010 hosting a series of key business events throughout the region.
The City Tower office will be open to IoD members from Monday 19th July, and will provide top-of-the range facilities at the centre of the Manchester business community. This move is also designed to support IoD efforts to improve ties between regional enterprises, and the services it can offer business leaders and entrepreneurs.
This latest move follows the recent announcement of the new IoD Committee in Manchester, and is the culmination of a series of developments behind the scenes at the IoD North West, undertaken to improve the benefits to its members.
Darrell Matthews, Regional Director of the IoD in the North West, said: “Over the years the presence of the IoD in the North West has grown consistently, and we’re looking forward to increasing this profile from our new base.
“The IoD is always trying to find new ways to improve its services to members, and this new Manchester hub will provide the perfect place to hold private client meetings, informal discussions or business seminars. What’s more, the office is fantastically furnished and gives stunning views of Manchester, providing first-class facilities for members to use as they wish.
“We’re also looking forward to our new partnership with Bruntwood, who were able to offer the IoD an excellent location in the heart of the city.”
Manchester entrepreneurs complete 100k Challenge
Over the past five days, 10 top businessmen have put their physical strength and entrepreneurial spirit to the test during an epic 100k Challenge across Europe in aid of the NSPCC Hear Our Cry appeal.
Dragging their aching limbs across the finish line in Barcelona last night, the runners were drained and exhausted but immensely proud of the achievement and of the £100,000 raised.
Mike Perls, CEO of MC2 and driving force behind the 100k Challenge, commented: “It certainly hasn’t been a stroll in the park. Ash clouds, stomach bugs and uphill runs in Holland were all unexpected obstacles for us and have made the challenge that bit harder. There were times I think we all thought we wouldn’t make it to Barcelona so I am thrilled that we all completed the last 10k and are still here to tell the tale!”
Airport closures caused by the volcanic ash cloud meant the runners’ best laid plans to fly direct to Amsterdam for the second leg of the challenge on Sunday actually resulted in a last minute dash to Dover for a ferry and a midnight run in a rather rainy Ostend.
Despite the set back of the first day, the team soon got back on track running 10k routes in major European cities such as Brussels, Geneva and Monaco before strapping up ankles, hamstrings and toes for the last leg of the challenge in Barcelona yesterday afternoon.
Perls added: “It’s been an absolutely amazing experience for all of us but we’re hugely relieved that it’s complete. Our energy reserves were virtually empty after two runs and the extra travel on the first day so, from then on, it has been a constant challenge to pick ourselves up ready for the next race.
“We have had great support throughout the challenge, in the cities we have visited as well as from family, friends and contacts at home which has really helped keep us going. People have donated generously for the Hear Our Cry appeal and I’m delighted that we have managed to raise such a substantial sum of money for the NSPCC. We’ve still got a little way to go to hit our target of £100,000 though so if you haven’t donated yet please visit www.hearourcry.co.uk.”
Hear Our Cry is a new campaign for the NSPCC in the North West and has been launched to promote awareness of the vital helpline services provided by the charity, including ChildLine, the UK’s free confidential 24-hour helpline for children, and the NSPCC Helpline for adults concerned about a child.
The aim of the campaign is to raise £2.7m by May 2011 to ensure more children and young people across the region have access to the help they need when they need it most.
Angela Capper, NSPCC development manager for the North West said: “Many thanks to Manchester’s entrepreneurs for their commitment and dedication in completing this epic 10k challenge to support the NSPCC. It is a fantastic achievement and our congratulations go to each one of them. Thanks for the businessmen’s time and fundraising efforts, the money raised will help support our vital helpline services to ensure we can answer even more cries for help from children in the UK.”
To find out more about the 100k Challenge or the Hear Our Cry appeal please go to www.hearourcry.co.uk or to donate the Just Giving page is www.justgiving.com/100kchallenge.
Can partnerships be a match made in heaven for your business?
Entrepreneurs across the North West are taking part in Building Partnerships for Innovation, the first in a series of follow-on events from the hugely successful RAW 2010.
Hosted by RAW sponsors Manchester: Knowledge Capital and Manchester Metropolitan University the workshop will take place on 12th May at Steelcase Manchester’s SmartSpace in the city centre. Building Partnerships for Innovation will focus on how in-house business capability can be bolstered by cultivating the right partnerships.
Speakers will include: Philip Hemsted, serial entrepreneur, managing director of Psycuity; Robert Garnish, general manager of John Lewis Cheadle; Professor Lynn Martin, director of Manchester Metropolitan’s Centre of Enterprise and Clare O’Neill, deputy CEO of Manchester: Knowledge Capital.
The interactive workshop will help some of the region’s leading entrepreneurs to identify what opportunities partnerships create for innovation, how to find the right partnerships and which partnerships will give maximum benefit to the bottom line.
Kate Pickering, innovation programme manager at Manchester: Knowledge Capital, said: “Innovation is a contact sport. You need partners, investors, suppliers and customers feeding back new insight. This event will help entrepreneurs develop productive partnerships to drive innovation forward. RAW is a dynamic network of some of the region’s brightest entrepreneurs and we’re proud to work with them to deliver the first in its series of inspirational events.”
Imran Hakim, co-founder of RAW, said: “One of the key aims of RAW 2010 was to create a unique network of entrepreneurs who could work together to help businesses in the North West flourish. That’s the mentality the RAW community was built on and I think it’s vital we continue to encourage these productive discussions between RAW members.”
To register for the event, visit:
http://partnerships4innovation.eventbrite.com/
IoD urges business leaders to make their vote count
Business leaders in the North West are being reminded by the IoD that there is only one week left to submit their nominations for the prestigious 2010 North West Director of the Year Awards. Business leaders across the North West have until 5pm on Friday 30th April to nominate those who have shown outstanding achievements in business during the last year.
Now in its seventh year, the Director of the Year Awards is designed to highlight the individuals who have shown excellent skill, judgement and innovation to guide their companies forward during uncertain times. Nominations for this year’s awards can be made online at www.armstrongcraven.com/iod/northwest.
The 2010 competition will have an extra significance, as for the first time the North West winners will be automatically put forward for the national IoD Director of the Year Awards. This new element to the competition gives nominees the chance to gain national recognition for their achievements.
The categories for the awards are split into Director of the Year and Young Director of the Year for each of the IoD Branches in the North West, including Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Manchester and Liverpool, with overall North West awards for each of these categories. Last year’s winners included Liz Russell of Envirosystems (North West Director of the Year) and Sarah Dunning of Westmorland Ltd (North West Young Director of the Year).
Darrell Matthews, Regional Director for the IoD in the North West, said: “With only one week to go time is running out to submit nominations for the awards. If you think somebody really deserves recognition for their efforts and achievements in business, the Director of the Year Awards is a great chance to highlight them.
“The North West has shown a lot of resilience in the last year, with continuing economic uncertainty meaning that business leaders have had to think creatively, a make bold moves to help their businesses thrive. I think it’s important that we celebrate these achievements, showcase this talent, and encourage business development across the region.
“We’ve already had a great response, but I would like to urge everybody to submit nominations before the deadline on Friday 30th April if they really think someone deserves an award.”
The high-profile Awards Ceremony is a black tie event and will take place on Thursday 7th October at the Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester. To book tickets for the event, please contact the IoD on 0161 209 3150.
