2022 West Midlands Finance Awards Shortlist

Congratulations to all shortlisted individuals and businesses for the 2022 West Midlands Finance Awards! The 2022 shortlist is a reflection of the outstanding achievements and dedication of finance professionals and businesses across the West Midlands region. If you were not shortlisted for the awards this should not deter you from entering again in 2023.

Thank you to the judges that have taken the time to be involved in this years meetings:

  • Guest judges
  • ICAEW
  • RSM
  • Robert Walters 

 

WEST MIDLANDS FINANCE AWARDS 2022 SHORTLIST

FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (UP TO £100M TURNOVER)

Sponsored by Sciensus

Awarded to the Finance Director with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner will have clearly provided examples of where their strategic direction has positively impacted both their team and company.

  • BEN HARWOOD
    Naismiths
     
  • PETER JAMES
    Solid State PLC
 
  • PAUL BIRD
    Ampa

  • SHARON BAGRI
    ReBOUND Returns

FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (OVER £100M TURNOVER) 

Awarded to the Finance Director with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner will have clearly provided examples of where their strategic direction has positively impacted both their team and company.

  • JOHN SULLIVAN
    Reconomy

  • CHRIS DAVIES
    National Express Group PLC

  • STEPHANIE GRADWELL
    Halfords

  • JAMES MUIRHEAD
    RoadChef Motorway Ltd
  • NICKY THOMAS
    Wolseley

  • DAVID BLUNSTONE
    2 Sisters Food Group

  • RAY REIDY
    Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd

FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (NOT-FOR-PROFIT)

Sponsored by DeterTech

Awarded to the Finance Director from a not-for-profit organisation with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winner will have clearly provided examples of where their strategic direction has positively impacted both their team and company.

  • ANNA MCOWEN
    Citizen

  • CHRISTOPHER MANNING
    Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust

  • LEE YALE-HELMS
    Birmingham Children's Trust
  • SULTAN HUSSAIN
    Leonard Cheshire

  • CRAIG EDMONDSON
    Black Country Living Museum

 

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to the Financial Controller with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership, management and development. They will be able to provide examples of strengthening financial control and processes across the organisation, driving continuous improvement and developing a team.

  • JAMIE MCNALLY
    LCP

  • ROSE MARSH
    Keys Group

  • LUKE TELLIS-JAMES
    TTC Group

  • ADAM PHILLIPS
    National Express Group PLC
  • ANGELA EAMES
    Dignity plc

  • SARAH LANCASTER
    2 Sisters Food Group

  • MARK FAIRBAIRN
    UK Battery Industrialisation Centre Ltd

FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (20 PEOPLE OR LESS)

The Finance Team of the year will demonstrate 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.

  • XOSERVE LTD & CORRELA LTD

  • NATIONAL EXPRESS GROUP PLC

  • TANDEM PROPERTY ASSET MANAGEMENT
  • 2 SISTERS FOOD GROUP
    Internal Audit Function

  • NAISMITHS

  • 2 SISTERS FOOD GROUP
    Finance Team

FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (OVER 20 PEOPLE)

The Finance Team of the year will demonstrate 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.

  • WOLSELEY

  • SCIENSUS

  • BNP PARIBAS PERSONAL FINANCE

  • RAC
  • RECONOMY

  • GYMSHARK

  • HALFORDS

  • GOWLING WLG
Naismiths

FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (NOT-FOR-PROFIT)

Sponsored by Naismiths

The Finance Team of the year will be from a not-for-profit organisation and demonstrate excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team may have positively impacted the wider company through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit.

  • CITIZEN

  • PENDERELS TRUST
 
 
  • BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME

FINANCE TRANSFORMATION & CHANGE

Sponsored by Gowling WLG

The Finance Transformation & Change award will be presented to a team that has demonstrated the successful delivery and/or implementation of activities leading to the improvement or growth of its organisation. This can be demonstrated through a range of activities with examples including (though not limited to) transformation projects, system upgrades, development of people and their careers and process re-engineering.

  • SIGNAL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

  • CITIZEN

  • BNP PARIBAS PERSONAL FINANCE
    Finance Insight Team

  • LINNAEUS VETERINARY LTD
  • SANCTUARY HOUSING ASSOCIATION 

  • HALFORDS

  • XOSERVE LTD & CORRELA LTD

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (QUALIFIED)

Sponsored by Gateley

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 less than 5 years of post-qualified experience. They will have provided examples of high achievement and outperforming their peer group.

  • TOM ROSEN
    Wolseley
     
  • KATHRYN FINCH (NEE MASON)
    2 Sisters Food Group

  • NATHANIEL BROWN
    Halfords
  • HARRIET MCCORMICK
    Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd
     
  • TOM LLOYD
    Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd

  • JOHN MURPHY
    Reconomy

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (NON/PART QUALIFIED)

Sponsored by LCP

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 less than 8 years of experience. They will have provided examples of high achievement and outperforming their peer group.

  • LAURA FREEMAN
    Selco Builders Warehouse

  • DANIEL SHUARD
    CHS Healthcare Limited

  • JAMES BLANDAMER
    Naismiths
  • JEMMA YOUNGMAN
    BDO LLP

  • LAURA ROBINSON
    Linnaeus Veterinary Ltd

SHARED SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YEAR 

Sponsored by Tandem Property Asset Management

This award will go to a Shared Service Centre based in the West Midlands and will be measured against the strength of its business processes and people-centric approach. We will be looking for exemplary customer service, coupled with best in class business processes. 

  • RENTOKIL INITIAL

  • LKQ EURO CAR PARTS

  • BRITVIC SOFT DRINKS LTD
  • MITCHELLS & BUTLERS

  • RECONOMY

TRANSACTIONAL FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR

This award will go to a West Midlands based Transactional Finance Team that has demonstrated excellence in its field. They will need to have demonstrated collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team will have positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects. The team should also embody a positive team spirit.

  • CITIZEN
    Transactions Team

  • KEYS GROUP
    Accounts Receivable Team

  • BRITVIC SOFT DRINKS LTD
    Credit Team (Order to Cash)
  • WOLSELEY
    Transactional Support Team

  • BNP PARIBAS PERSONAL FINANCE
    Finance Operations Function

  • LINNAEUS VETERINARY LTD
    Transactions Team