IoD press release Shortlist revealed for IoD England Director of the Year Awards

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 120^th 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 [email protected].

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
• William English CBE, Owen English & Son, Kent

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
• William English CBE, Owen English & Son, Kent

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
• Janet Legge, ACT (Association of Corporate Treasurers), London
• James Horseman, Horseman Coaches Ltd, Berkshire
• William English CBE, Owen English & Son, Kent  

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