2017 West Midlands Finance Awards Winners
We are proud to announce the 2017 West Midlands Finance Award winners.
Winners were announced during a prestigious evening on Thursday 16th November 2017 at the ICC in Birmingham city centre.
The evening was hosted by Dave Bryon and the evening's entertainment was the outstanding The Fat Cats band.
All applications the 2017 awards were judged by the following judges and scored an average 65%:
- Guest judge - A senior finance professional, find out more here.
- ICAEW
- Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
- RSM
- Robert Walters
Applications for the 2018 West Midlands Finance Awards will open early next year, if you would like to be involved in the 2018 awards contact us here for more information.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by - GVA
This is awarded to the Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management.

WINNER
MARK WILSON
Chief Financial Officer at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR - PART-QUALIFIED
Sponsored by Executive Partner - ICAEW
The winner of this award showed great passion, drive and focus on delivery.

WINNER
SARAH RUSSELL
Halfords Group Plc

HIGHLY COMMENDED
ROB WILSON
Tarmac
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR - QUALIFIED
Sponsored by Executive Partner - ICAEW
The winner of this award showed great passion, drive and focus on delivery.

WINNER
JAMES CREDICOTT
Tax Manager at VFS Financial Services Ltd
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - LARGE
Sponsored by Executive Partner - Robert Walters
This will be awarded to an innovative organisation, who has achieved financial growth due to the direct and positive impact of the accounting and finance team. The winner of this award must be able to provide strategies which have driven business growth and an overview of their financial performance over the last 12 months.

WINNER
RENTOKIL INITIAL
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - SME
Sponsored by - Higgs & Sons
This will be awarded to an innovative organisation, who has achieved financial growth due to the direct and positive impact of the accounting and finance team. The winner of this award must be able to provide strategies which have driven business growth and an overview of their financial performance over the last 12 months.

WINNER
HAWTHORN LEISURE LTD
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR - OVER 20
Sponsored by - HSBC UK
This will be awarded to a finance team that has demonstrated excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team may have positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit.

WINNER
DPD Group UK Ltd
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR - LESS THAN 20
Sponsored by - HSBC UK
This will be awarded to a finance team that has demonstrated excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team may have positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit

WINNER
HAWTHORN LEISURE LTD

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Saint-Gobain
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR - NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Sponsored by - Veolia
This will be awarded to a finance team that has demonstrated excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team may have positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit.

WINNER
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Executive Partner - Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
This award will go to an individual who has acted as a mentor to another finance professional(s), and has developed, coached and inspired their mentee(s).

WINNER
BEN HERRING
Senior Finance Manager at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
SHARED SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Executive Partner - RSM
This will be awarded to a West Midlands-based Shared Service Centre and will be measured against strength of processes and people.

WINNER
INTERSERVE

HIGHLY COMMENDED
MITCHELLS & BUTLERS
SSC WITH OUTSTANDING PEOPLE & DEVELOPMENT
Sponsored by Executive Partner - RSM
This award will go to a West Midlands-based Shared Service Centre with outstanding people and development across the SSC.

WINNER
SANCTUARY GROUP

HIGHLY COMMENDED
JURYS INN