Alys Smith Announced as Head Judge for the Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026
The Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026 sponsored by Cardiff Business School, are officially underway, and we are delighted to announce that Alys Smith has been appointed as this year’s Head Judge.
Organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales, these prestigious awards celebrate exemplary leadership across every sector, recognising directors who drive performance, innovation, and positive change across the Welsh economy.
This year’s awards continue to showcase a wide range of categories, reflecting the diverse strengths of Wales’s business community. Categories typically include skills development, start-up leadership, equity and inclusion, public and third sector leadership, sustainability, innovation, small and medium business excellence, international success, and non-executive leadership.
With over 15 years of experience across public and private sectors, Alys Smith is an accomplished HR Director, entrepreneur, and business leader who has built a reputation for her values‑driven, intuitive and high‑impact approach to leadership.
Alys co‑runs her own HR consultancy and multiple businesses in Wales, bringing deep expertise in organisational transformation, people strategy, and business development. In addition to her extensive UK and international experience, Alys has led teams across the US, including Chicago and New York, and played a central role in Quartix’s expansion into Europe, establishing new teams in Germany, Poland, and Spain as the company entered EU markets.
Alys is also a passionate advocate for responsible leadership and good governance. She joined the Institute of Directors when she became a company director and has since completed both the IoD Certificate in Company Direction and the Diploma in Company Direction—the latter being a Master’s‑level qualification and the second stage of the IoD’s Chartered Director Programme.
Her commitment to ongoing professional development underlines her belief in strong, accountable leadership—qualities she brings to her role as Head Judge for this year’s awards.
Richard Selby, National Chair of IoD Wales, shares his enthusiasm for Alys’s appointment:
“Alys represents the energy, integrity and forward‑thinking leadership we champion at IoD Wales. Her extensive experience, commitment to responsible governance, and passion for supporting Welsh businesses make her an exceptional Head Judge for the 2026 awards.”
Judging for the Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026 is now in progress. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 8 May 2026 at ICC Wales, where we will come together to celebrate the leaders who are making a remarkable impact across Wales.
Tickets for the ceremony are now on sale via the IoD Wales website.
