2018 Finance Awards Winners
We are proud to announce the 2018 Finance Awards winners.
Businesses and professionals from across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire and Essex celebrated at a black-tie awards gala dinner hosted by Dave Bryon on Thursday 8th November 2018 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Milton Keynes as the winners were announced in 12 categories.
Winners from 2018 included businesses and employees from Hilton, Porcelanosa, Inchcape, TUI, Informa Group, Burton's Biscuit Company, Whitbread, Rightmove and easyJet.
All applications the 2018 awards were judged by the following judges and scored an average 65%:
- Guest judge - A senior finance professional, find out more here.
- ICAEW
- RSM
- Robert Walters
Applications for the 2019 Finance Awards will open early next year, if you would like to be involved in the 2019 awards contact us here for more information.
Details of all 2018 winners are listed below.
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (NON/PART-QUALIFIED)
Presented to an individual who proved to be one the most passionate, driven and delivery focused person in the market. He provided examples of high achievement and outstanding achievements and out-performing his peer group.

Winner
Declan Ferguson
Hilton
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
This was awarded to an individual who has acted as a mentor to another finance professional(s), and has developed, coached and inspired their mentee(s). The award recognises the crucial role mentors play in shaping a young person's success and the outstanding support and trust mentors provide young finance professionals, helping them achieve their career goals and aspirations.

Winner
Deep Shah
Porcelanosa

Highly Commended
Anna Rajah
Pitney Bowes
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (QUALIFIED)
This was presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused person in the market. The winner of this award provided examples of high achievement and out-performing his peer group.

Winner
Philip Sloboda
Hilton
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME OF THE YEAR
This was awarded to the professional development scheme with the strongest track record of achievement. The winner showed outstanding success of the scheme’s ‘alumni’, breadth of programme’s offered, pass rates, structure and employee reviews which impressed the judges.

Winner
TUI
SHARED SERVICE CENTRE OF THE YEAR
This was awarded to a Northern Home County-based Shared Service Centre with outstanding strength of processes and people, and key achievements around delivery and exemplary customer service.

Winner
Informa Group
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (LESS THAN 20 PEOPLE)
This has been awarded to the finance team who demonstrated excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit.

Winner
TUI Engineering Finance Team

HIGHLY COMMENDED
TIG Ltd
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (20+ PEOPLE) - UNDER £1BN TURNOVER
This has been awarded to the finance team who demonstrated excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit.

Winner
Burton's Biscuit Company

Highly commended
Weetabix
FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (20+ PEOPLE) - OVER £1BN TURNOVER
This has been awarded to the finance team who demonstrated excellence in their field, with proven examples of collective successes within the last 12 months. The winning team positively impacted the wider business through outstanding achievements in the delivery of projects and encompass an infectious team spirit.

Winner
Whitbread Plc
SENIOR FINANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR - UNDER £1BN TURNOVER
This was awarded to a senior finance leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The individual provided outstanding examples of providing strategic direction to their company

Winner
Georgina Hudson
Rightmove Plc

Highly commended
Luke Haggatt
Nampak
SENIOR FINANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR - OVER £1BN TURNOVER
This was awarded to a senior finance leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The individual provided outstanding examples of providing strategic direction to their company

Winner
Ben Capon
Whitbread Plc

Highly commended
Ben Steel
Informa Group
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR
This was awarded to a Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrable legacy of delivering transformation, leadership and an outstanding performance. The winner of this award is a pioneer of significant change, made a vital contribution to the leadership of the business and led a local finance function that is seen as adding significant value to business. This was awarded to a senior finance leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The individual provided outstanding examples of providing strategic direction to their company

Winner
Paul Ablin
easyJet
BUSINESS INNOVATION
Inchcape has demonstrated excellence in the successful implementation of the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) Project which has revolutionised the business with ground breaking technology improving accuracy, speed and quality. A true success story where Finance and IT have worked in harmony to improve not only the finance function but the entire business going forward.

Winner
Inchcape
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