Finance Awards North West Winners 2025

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award acknowledges the legacy of an esteemed figure of the North West finance community. This award wasn’t open for entries, instead the winner has been selected by the panel for their outstanding contribution to the region’s finance community.

For thirty years the winner of this Award has guided the organisation from a position in the 90s when external agencies were coming in to guide it to solvency, to its present position of relative financial strength.

They are the consummate professional in everything they do, and are frequently called upon by Government Departments if they want a sensible and insightful view of the Higher Education Landscape. They command deep respect from their direct reports and peers through to governing bodies. They do this all with a quiet sense of humour, and when called upon, a sophisticated literary style.

Their team has previously won “Outstanding Finance Team” at the THELMA’s (Times Higher Education Awards).

Our winner was awarded an MBE for services to Higher Education in the Kings Birthday honours list in 202

FINANCE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR (£25M - £100M TURNOVER)

Awarded to a Finance Director/CFO from a business turning over between £25m - £100m turnover, 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.

FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (OVER 40 PEOPLE)

The Finance Team of the Year (over 40 people) 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.

FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (10 PEOPLE OR LESS)

The Finance Team of the Year (10 people or less) 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.

FINANCE TRANSFORMATION & CHANGE (NORTH WEST)

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.

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER OF THE YEAR (UP TO £100M TURNOVER)

Awarded to the Financial Controller from a business turning over less than £100m annually, with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership, management and development. They will have provided examples of strengthening financial control and processes across the organisation, driving continuous improvement and developing a team.

SENIOR FINANCE TEAM PLAYER OF THE YEAR

This award will go to a finance team member who has been instrumental in the team’s success over the past 12 months. They will be both a high achiever and committed team player, their dedication in their day-to-day role and infectious positive attitude serving to maintain team performance and boost team morale.

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (QUALIFIED) 

This is presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused qualified finance professional 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.

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (NON-QUALIFIED) 

Presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused non-qualified finance professional in the market. They will have provided examples of both high achievement and outperforming their peer group.