Cardiff Business School Announced as Headline Sponsor for Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026

The awards, which celebrate outstanding leadership and excellence in Welsh business, will open for entries on 5th December 2025, with the ceremony taking place on 8th May 2026 at ICC Wales.

This announcement continues a proud tradition, as Cardiff Business School has sponsored the Wales Director of the Year Awards for many years. Their enduring support reflects a deep commitment to recognising and nurturing leadership across Wales.

Professor Tim Edwards, Dean and Head of Cardiff Business School, commented: “We are proud to continue our long-standing sponsorship of the Wales Director of the Year Awards. These awards shine a light on the individuals driving positive change and sustainable growth across our economy. At Cardiff Business School, we believe in public value and responsible leadership, and this partnership reflects our mission to champion those values in the business community.”

Richard Selby, National Chair of the Institute of Directors in Wales, added: “Having Cardiff Business School as our headline sponsor is a powerful endorsement of the importance of leadership development in Wales. Their continued support helps us celebrate the directors who are not only delivering commercial success but also shaping a better future for our communities.”

Jo Price, Nations Manager for the IoD, said: “The Wales Director of the Year Awards are a highlight of our calendar, and we’re thrilled to have Cardiff Business School on board once again. Their involvement brings energy and insight to the event, and we look forward to recognising the exceptional talent leading Welsh organisations into the future.”

Sarah Lethbridge, Pro Dean of External Engagement at Cardiff Business School kindly spoke to us about why they wanted to support the awards again….

Organisation Name: Cardiff Business School

Website: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/business-school

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardiffbusinessschool/

2. Which award are you sponsoring? Headline Sponsor

3. About Your Organisation: We are a world-leading, research intensive business and management school with a proven track record of excellence. We are also proud to be the world’s first public value business school. Guided by our progressive public value strategy and principles, we are committed to delivering economic and social value through interdisciplinary teaching and research that tackles the grand challenges facing the world today.

4. Why Sponsor the Awards? We are proud to continue to sponsor the Wales Director of the Year Awards for another year. As Wales’ leading Business School, and deeply committed to our Public Value Purpose, we want to work alongside Wales’ leading Directors to bring prosperity and societal benefit to all. The IoD is deeply committed to enabling responsible and successful business and so working together on initiatives which celebrate those who deliver responsible and successful business, makes complete sense.

5. What Does Great Leadership Mean to You? I am a great fan of Gianpiero Petrigleri, a Professor at INSEAD’s, belief that great leadership is actually an act of love. A brilliant leader brings their heart and their empathy to the workplace.  They deeply understands how much a brilliant workplace makes a difference to someone’s life and they respect that privilege with consideration and care. We spend so much of our lives at work, absolutely we should want the people at the top of those organisations to care about us.  Amazing leaders are completely authentic, protect their people where possible, but also don’t shirk from the truth. Critically, they set the tone for excellence and create a culture of immense psychology safety, where every member of staff feels able to share their opinions, safe that fair challenge is respected and valued. And guess what, psychologically safe cultures are immensely productive ones.

6. Why Should Business Leaders Enter or Nominate? Do you work for a brilliant leader? Someone who you have real confidence in and who your are proud to work for? Leadership can be a lonely place, battling problem and confronting each crisis. It makes a massive difference when someone has taken the time and trouble to put their hand up and say ‘we value and appreciate you’ so please take a little time to submit your nomination. They mean so much to people, and critically, they build a momentum, showcasing the right side of leadership to the Welsh Business Community.

7. Is there a message you’d like to share with this year’s entrants or the wider Welsh business community? Leadership is a type of love. When you are great at it, it changes those who receive it’s lives for the better.

Entries for the 2026 awards will be accepted across multiple categories, including innovation, sustainability, and emerging leadership. Directors from all sectors and regions of Wales are encouraged to apply.

For more information visit Wales Director of the Year Awards | Institute of Directors