2019 Finance Awards Shortlist
2019's shortlist demonstrates the hard work, dedication and passion of finance professionals that contribute to the economy and employment across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex.
The category winners were announced during the exclusive evening ceremony on Thursday 7th November 2019 at the MK Dons Doubletree in Milton Keynes.
See the 2019 Finance Awards winners here.
All shortlisted businesses from 2019 were judged either in person or from a recording by the following companies and scored over 65%:
- Guest judges
- ICAEW
- RSM
- Robert Walters
Read more about how to apply for the 2022 Awards here.
THE 2019 FINANCE AWARDS SHORTLIST:
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (UK TURNOVER UNDER £500M)
This award will be presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused individual in the market. The winner will be a finance professional with less than 5 years’ experience. The award is open to those already qualified, or those part-qualified/non-qualified. They are able to provide examples of high achievement and out-performing their peer group.
- TINO MARTUCCIO
Suzuki GB PLC
- SAM TUCKETT
Huel
- JONATHAN SIMONS
Copart UK Ltd
- KLAUDIA KUBISZTAL
energie fitness
- JACK LINTON
Abbots Care Ltd





RISING STAR OF THE YEAR (UK TURNOVER OVER £500M)
This award will be presented to the most passionate, driven and delivery focused individual in the market. The winner will be a finance professional with less than 5 years’ experience. The award is open to those already qualified, or those part-qualified/non-qualified. They are able to provide examples of high achievement and out-performing their peer group.
- JACK KERRIGAN
TUI UK&I Finance - Performance and Planning
- LUKE O'CONNELL
Ball Beverage - GIANNI PALMIERO
Sainsbury's Argos
- JONATHAN WYATT
Sainsbury's Argos - ROXY DAY
Ball Beverage - DANIEL STAFFORD
Inchcape UK




MANAGER OF THE YEAR
This Award will be presented to a manager of a finance team with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The winning individual will have given examples of providing strategic direction to their team to improve performance and drive team spirit.
- RAVI KOTHARI
TUI UK&I Finance - Performance and Planning
- DAISY EGGLETON
TUI UK&I Finance - Performance and Planning
- LESLEY MARLBOROUGH
Sigma Pharmaceuticals plc - GUY COLE-PENDREY
Trimble



INTERNATIONAL TRADE & TAX LEADER OF THE YEAR
This Award will be presented to a leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery within International Trade or Tax. The individual must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their business.
- JEREMY PEARSON
Pitney Bowes Ltd - MATTHEW BALDRY
Mercedes-Benz UK - JAMES MCQUEEN
Domino's Pizza Group
- JUDITH KENT
Thomas Cook - PAUL ATKINS
Galliford Try - VINETA BAJAJ
Ocado Group plc






FINANCE TRANSACTION OF THE YEAR
This Award will be presented to a team or organisation who have delivered a significant Finance Transaction that is notable in one or more areas across; Deal size, Complexity, Pace of Execution, Merger, Acquisition, Significant Re-Finance or where a transaction is remarkable by virtue of its sector, geographic location or similarly challenging circumstances.
- ENERGIE FITNESS
- ROBINSON MANUFACTURING LTD


DRIVING EXCELLENCE IN THE WORKFORCE
This Award will be presented to a business with the strongest track record of investing in the development of their workforce. Your business may offer a graduate scheme, apprenticeship, mentoring programme or alternative development scheme for employees. The winning business will have provided evidence of how the strategies they have in place have improved the development of their employees.
- PITNEY BOWES LTD
- GOVGRANT
- EASYJET
- TUI UK&I FINANCE
- ESSENTRA





BUSINESS INNOVATION
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 and their careers or something that improves the overall customer experience.
- TUI UK&I FINANCE - PERFORMANCE AND PLANNING
- TUI BUSINESS SERVICES
- COPART UK LTD
- SIGNATURE FLATBREADS LTD
- DOMINO'S PIZZA GROUP




FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (LESS THAN £100M TURNOVER)
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. This award will be presented to a finance team within a business turning over less than £100m annually.
- ABBOTS CARE LTD
- TIG LTD
- ENERGIE FITNESS
- BIOGEN UK LTD
- STADIUM MK
- GRAND UNION HOUSING GROUP






FINANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR (£100 - £500M TURNOVER)
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. This award will be presented to a finance team within a business turning over between £100m - £500m annually.
- PITNEY BOWES LTD
- TXM GROUP
- SIGMA PHARMACEUTICALS PLC
- SIGNATURE FLATBREADS LTD
- BSI GROUP
- PORCELANOSA GROUP UK






SENIOR FINANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR (LESS THAN £100M TURNOVER)
This Award will be presented to a senior finance leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The individual must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their company. Examples of job titles which might sit within this category include but are not limited to: Financial Controller, Head of Finance & Finance Director. This award will be presented to an individual within a business turning over less than £100m annually.
- CHRIS BELLAMY
Grand Union Housing Group
- ANTHONY RICHENS
Stadium MK


SENIOR FINANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR (£100 - £500M TURNOVER)
This Award will be presented to a senior finance leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The individual must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their company. Examples of job titles which might sit within this category include but are not limited to: Financial Controller, Head of Finance & Finance Director. This award will be presented to an individual within a business turning over between £100m - £500m annually.
- MICHAELA WATTS
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team - DEEP SHAH
Porcelanosa Group UK
- GAVIN RENFREW
Copart UK Ltd



SENIOR FINANCE LEADER OF THE YEAR (OVER £500M TURNOVER)
This Award will be presented to a senior finance leader with a demonstrable legacy of delivery in financial performance, leadership and management. The individual must be able to provide examples of providing strategic direction to their company. Examples of job titles which might sit within this category include but are not limited to: Financial Controller, Head of Finance & Finance Director. This award will be presented to an individual within a business turning over, over £500m annually.
- SARAH DESBOROUGH-SMITH
TUI UK&I Finance - Performance and Planning - JAS BURSTON
Domino's Pizza Group
- IAIN WEST
MBDA - CLAIRE TANNER
Ocado Retail




CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR
This will be awarded to a Chief Financial Officer with a demonstrable legacy of delivering transformation, leadership and an outstanding performance. The winner of this award may have been a pioneer of significant change, made a vital contribution to the leadership of the business and/or led a local finance function that is seen as adding significant value to business.
- DAVID BAUERNFEIND
Domino's Pizza Group - PANOS PAPAPANAGIOTOU
Puratos Ltd
- CLAIRE CATLIN
Sainsbury's Argos


