The Institute of Directors (IoD) has announced the shortlist for its national Director of the Year Awards 2023.
Covering the whole of England, the awards showcase and celebrate the leadership, achievements and contributions of business leaders across a range of categories from Sustainability to Innovation and Chartered Director.
Hundreds of applications were received and considered by a judging panel made up of 20 directors, senior managers, non-executives, academics and other specialists to produce this year's shortlist of finalists.
In this year, the 120th anniversary of the Institute, the IoD will celebrate the first England-wide awards held since 2018, bringing directors from all corners of the country together at this special event. Winners will be announced at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony with a mystery host (to be revealed soon), held at the organisation's prestigious headquarters at 116 Pall Mall on 29 September.
Jon Geldart, director general of the IoD, said: "Britain's directors have had to dig deep over the past few years to overcome business conditions which continue to prove challenging.
"These awards are about people, not profits, and celebrating those who celebrate others. It is therefore particularly pleasing to be able to bring together all our finalists to share and celebrate the achievements of innovative directors across the country, for their businesses, the environment and the communities within which they work and live.
"The standard of entries was high this year and I look forward to celebrating with our finalists and guests at the awards event in September."
Tickets for the Director of the Year Awards (29 September, 5-11pm) will go on sale 26 June at 9am. Click here for event details.
There are still opportunities to boost your company's profile by being associated with these highly regarded awards; if you're interested in marketing to 20,000 members and more, please get in touch with Sophie Breeden, Events and Sponsorship Lead at the IoD, by email at Sophie.breeden@iod.com.
The 2023 national finalists are:
Equality Diversity and Inclusion
Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches, Guildford Shakespeare Company
Sandhya Sabapathy, Adecco Group, London
Sofia Azam, IgniteQuals Ltd, London
Clare Wright, Jardine Motors Group, Colchester
Sustainability
Jens Gemmel von Döllinger, Peterborough City Council
Astrid Wynne, Interact DC Limited, Harrogate
Paul H Jones FRSC, Bitrez Group Ltd, Wigan
Oliver Butts, The English Soap Company, East Sussex
James Horseman, Horseman Coaches Ltd, Berkshire
NED
Trusha Lakhani, Elmhurst Energy Systems Ltd, Lutterworth
Paul Cadman, Steps To Work, Walsall
Start Up & Young
Emma Armstrong, EmPro Consultants, Hemel Hempstead
Graham Nash, BusinessWise Accountancy and Tax, Chesterfield
John Lugsden, Rogers McHugh Recruitment Limited, Sale
Eleni Polychroniadou, Sintali, Rickmansworth
Public and Third Sector
Jens Gemmel von Döllinger, Peterborough City Council
Caroline Stockmann FCA Hon FCT, ACT (Association of Corporate Treasurers), London
David Noble, Migrant Helpline Ltd, London
Sonya Chowdhury, Action for M.E., Keynsham
Family Business
Steve Rigby, Rigby Group Plc, Stratford-upon-Avon
Stuart Burlton, Make An Entrance Limited, Lincoln
Stephen Bagnall, Bagnalls, Shipley
Julianne Ponan MBE, Creative Nature, West Moseley
Innovation
Peter Jarvis, Contechs Ltd, Warwick
Manny Athwal, School of Coding, Wolverhampton
Rich Kenny, Interact DC Limited, Harrogate
Gary Moore, UNTHA UK, Boroughbridge,
Paul H Jones FRSC, Bitrez Group Ltd, Wigan
Caroline Stockmann FCA Hon FCT, ACT (Association of Corporate Treasurers), London
James Horseman, Horseman Coaches Ltd, Berkshire
SME
Jonathan Chapman, Burns & McDonnell, Birmingham
Jessica de Vere, Stage One Creative Services Ltd, York
Paul H Jones FRSC, Bitrez Ltd, Wigan
John Lugsden, Rogers McHugh Recruitment Ltd, Sale
Julianne Ponan MBE, Creative Nature, West Moseley
Kate Sikora, Noble Performs, Bristol
James Horseman, Horseman Coaches Ltd, Berkshire
Chartered Director
Lee Bailey CDir, Ace Today Limited, Bedford
Tsira Kemularia-Kartozia CDir, Shell, London
Sean Read CDir, Wesleyan Bank Ltd, London
Alk Brand CDir, Westfalia Fruit International, Kent