West Midlands Finance Awards 2019 Shortlist
Congratulations to all shortlisted nominees for the 2019 Awards. The outstanding quality of applications and nominations increase each year, and 2019 was no exception!
The 2019 shortlist provides examples of the outstanding achievements and dedication of finance professionals and businesses across the West Midlands region.
All applications were judged by:
- Guest judges
- ICAEW
- RSM
- Robert Walters
Applications are currently open for the West Midlands Finance Awards 2022. Apply here.
2019 WEST MIDLANDS FINANCE AWARDS SHORTLIST
FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (UP TO £100M TURNOVER)
Awarded to the Finance Director with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their company.
- CHRIS SHARP
Intercity Technology
- ESTHER JONES
Quattro Plant
- JENNY YOUNG
Castleton Technology PLC
- JULIE TEAGUE
Cogent Elliott Ltd




FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
Awarded to the Finance Director with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their employer.
- NAFEES ARIF
West Midlands Metro
- MARTIN PENNY
BMet
- STEPHEN DEAKIN
BCRS Business Loans
- KERRY BARNETT
Financial Controller at GRS Group
- MATT BEATHE
Corporate Finance & Investor Relations at Halfords Group Plc
- KERRY BARNETT
Financial Controller at GRS Group
- MATT BEATHE
Corporate Finance & Investor Relations at Halfords Group Plc
- KERRY BARNETT
Financial Controller at GRS Group
- MATT BEATHE
Corporate Finance & Investor Relations at Halfords Group Plc
- KERRY BARNETT
Financial Controller at GRS Group
- MATT BEATHE
Corporate Finance & Investor Relations at Halfords Group Plc



FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (£100M+ TURNOVER)
Awarded to the Finance Director with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their company.
- CHRIS WREN-KIRKHAM
Legal & General Insurance Limited
- ANDREW EDGINTON
Gowling WLG
- MARK BURN
Fraikin Ltd
- ROBIN MAWBY
LCP Retail Ltd


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RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (NON/PART QUALIFIED)
Sponsored by Millenium Point
Presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused person in the market. The winner of the non/part qualified award will be a finance professional with under 8 years of experience. They must be able to provide examples of high achievement and out-performing their peer group.
- JAMES BLANDAMER
Naismiths Limited
- TOM SWAINSON
Tarmac
- CLAIR ALLEN
Halfords
- MICHAEL DUNHAM
Cadent Gas
- LUKE EDWARDS
Interservefm Limited
- KAREN FOXALL
Dudley Building Society
- Mondelez
- Higgs & Sons






RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (QUALIFIED)
Sponsored by Birmingham Airport
Presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused person in the market. The winner of the qualified award will be a finance professional with under 8 years of post qualified experience. They must be able to provide examples of high achievement and out-performing their peer group.
- ANDREW SHAW
Housing 21
- KATE HAGUE
Halfords
- LIAM BUTLER
Dudley Building Society
- JJ MIAN
Millennium Point
- JODIE HALL
Secure Trust Bank PLC



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FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (OVER 20 PEOPLE)
The Finance Team of the Year will demonstrate excellence in its 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.
- GOWLING WLG
SANDWELL & WEST BIRMINGHAM HOSPITALS NHS TRUST CHARITY
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
SANDWELL & WEST BIRMINGHAM HOSPITALS NHS TRUST CHARITY
WEST MIDLANDS COMBINED AUTHORITY
- MCDONALD'S RESTAURANTS LTD
GBS Finance UK & Ireland


FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (20 PEOPLE OR LESS)
The Finance Team of the Year will demonstrate excellence in its 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.
- UNITY TRUST BANK
- CROSS COUNTRY
- DUDLEY BUILDING SOCIETY
- HOMESERVE PLC
- SEVERN TRENT
Capital Delivery Finance
- BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT
- BRIAN HYDE LTD






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FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (NOT-FOR-PROFIT)
The Not-for-Profit Finance Team of the Year will demonstrate excellence in its 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.
- HOUSING 21
- ORBIT GROUP
- THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND



SHARED SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YEAR
This award will go to a West Midlands based Shared Service Centre and will be measured against strength of processes and people. We will be looking for examples of key achievements around delivery and exemplary customer service.
- HALFORDS
- HANDICARE GROUP
- BRITVIC
- CENTRAL ENGLAND COOP
- SANCTUARY GROUP





BUSINESS INNOVATION
Sponsored by West Midlands Trains
The winner of this award will demonstrate the successful delivery and/or implementation of activities that have led to the betterment of the Business. This can be anything from a Transformation Project or ERP upgrade, through to the enhancement of people or the improvement of overall customer experience.
- BRITVIC
- CORIENT BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
- DUDLEY BUILDING SOCIETY
- ROUTECO LTD
- GOWLING WLG




