Bristol boss is named SME Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors
Charmaine Vincent, owner and CEO of Bristol-based Baltimore Consulting, recruitment specialists in the public and third sector, has been named Small to Medium Sized Enterprise Director of the Year at the national final of the IoD’s Director of the Year Awards.
Drawing together heat winners from across all parts of the country, the grand final revealed the UK champions in categories ranging from Public Sector, Start-up, and Non-Executive Director to Large Business and Innovation. Judges included UK Broadband’s MD Rosalind Singleton and Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charities Commission. A full list of winners is below, with more information available here.
Charmaine was recognised for her impressive grasp of what is needed to build the company, singling out its strong management and governance skills. Charmaine founded Baltimore Consulting in early 2013 and, with 19 years’ professional experience coupled with senior recruitment expertise spanning both the public and commercial sector, has driven strong growth year on year.
She said: “Winning SME Director of the Year is such a huge accolade for both myself and the rest of the business and I really couldn’t be prouder. Since our inception, Baltimore has always had a strong moral compass. Our shared set of values and collaborative family culture make leading from the front in this industry an absolute pleasure. Winning this award some 18 months on from completing an MBO is all the recognition we need. Caring about your people, working hard and always believing really does make the difference.”
James Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England, the bus operator that services Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire with a fleet of more than 600 vehicles was Highly Commended in the Large Business category.
Jonathan Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said:
“I would like to congratulate all of our Award winners, each of whom have shown dedication, ingenuity, and leadership, inspiring those around them. Better directors make for better businesses, which is to the benefit of the economy and society as a whole. The judges had a tough job on their hands picking the first among equals, with all of our finalists standing as beacons of excellence from every corner of the UK.
“It is undoubtedly a challenging time to be a director, making the achievements of our winners all the more impressive. The IoD is here to support leaders through the turbulence, but equally we think it is crucial to shine the spotlight on those who continue to raise the bar for British business despite the circumstances.”
Full list of winners
Category Winner Nation/Region
Dr. Neville Bain Memorial Award Linda Pollard, Chair, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Yorkshire and NE
Family Business Lesley Wild, Chair, Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire and NE
CSR Dara McCarthy, Director, RMF Construction Services West Midlands
International Guy Schanschieff MBE, Founder and MD, Bambino Mio East Midlands
Start-up Tom Hacquoil, CEO, Pinpoint Jersey
Third Sector Jonathan Spiers, Chief Executive, Autistica London and South
Public Sector Pauline Howie OBE, CEO, Scottish Ambulance Service Scotland
Chartered Director Margot Cronin, NED, HSBC Life, Tesco Underwriting London
SME Charmaine Vincent, CEO, Baltimore Consulting South West
Student Sarah McAnallen, CEO & Co-Founder, McAnallen Ltd Northern Ireland
Inclusivity Leona Barr-Jones, COO, Focus7 International East of England
Large Business Robin Watson, CEO, Wood Scotland
Non-Exec Lesley Cowley, Chair, DVLA, Companies House Wales
Innovation Dr Arnab Basu MBE, CEO, Kromek Group Yorkshire and NE
Young Oliver North, Managing Director, O&H Vehicle Technology Yorkshire and NE
