The launch of the fifth annual Yorkshire Finance Director of the Year Awards is underway, and this year the event will be even bigger and better than ever before, promising to further capture the interest of the region’s business community. After its phenomenal success in 2005, there is no doubt that the Yorkshire Finance Director of the Year Awards competition is established as the leading event of its kind in the region.
Sewell Moorhouse have sponsored the awards since their conception, alongside business advisors Ernst & Young and European lawyers Hammonds. This year we’re pleased to welcome Barclays as a fourth sponsor – further enhancing the profile of the programme.
2005 saw Shaun Mills of GNER, Alan Wilson of UBC and Jonathan Wragg of Rensburg Sheppards beating off the competition to collect their trophies at an exclusive awards dinner held at Rudding Park in Harrogate.
The criteria for the awards are clear. As the role of the Finance Director in modern business continues to develop, these awards recognise the key contribution and exceptional performance of the region’s top Finance Directors. Winners benefit from the considerable status of achieving the award, along with extensive media coverage and profile.
There are three award categories:
- Award for Best Finance Director of a Plc
- Award for Best Finance Director of a Ltd company
- Special Award for Outstanding Achievement
The role of the Finance Director has changed dramatically over the last five years and although it is still technically accountancy-based, the modern day Finance Director has to be able to contribute more to their firm than preparing the accounts.
The awards are therefore judged on all round business and managerial skills, including interpersonal qualities and commercial awareness, as well as accounting skills.
This is highly reflective of the current recruitment market for accountancy. It’s no secret that the accountancy professional has enjoyed a few bumper years of late, but it’s important to also understand the evolving expectations of employers.
Recruiters are becoming more discerning in their choices. Our clients are much savvier about their recruitment needs than they were, say, 5 years ago. They come to us with a clear specification for their required finance post and competition for top finance posts can be fierce. With the continuing M&A culture as it is, Finance Directors in particular need to be all-rounders – strategic thinkers with strong management, leadership and social skills, with cross-sector experience. The Finance Director Awards really focus on these skills.
So, now is your chance to acknowledge the achievements of a colleague, associate or friend or to have your own hard work recognised by nominating yourself for the Yorkshire Finance Director Awards 2006. For more information, visit www.sewellm.co.uk or contact Cliff Sewell or Philip Hill at Sewell Moorhouse - an independent and specialised accounting, financial and administrative recruitment consultancy based in Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds.
Omega Court
364 Cemetery Road
Sheffield S11 8FT
T: 0114 268 3313
FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR 2006