Member Article

FDs urged to nominate ?rising stars? for awards

The organisers of the 2013 Yorkshire Rising Star Awards are urging senior finance professionals across the region to highlight key members of their team by nominating them for the awards, which close on 31 March.

Organised by Grant Thornton, Cobbetts, RBS and Sharp Consultancy, the awards set out to recognise and celebrate Yorkshire’s finance directors of tomorrow: high-calibre accountants, both fully and part qualified, who have made a significant contribution to the running of the finance function within their organisation.

Awards categories include companies with a turnover under £25m, over £25m and over £150m. There is a plc award and a category for public sector organisations, as well as the coveted Overall Rising Star award, scooped last year by Joanne Cowl financial controller of Leeds-based print and marketing firm Communisis.

Joanne described winning the award as “physical recognition that you are doing a really good job”. She added: “It gives you tremendous inner confidence. The whole process has been entirely positive and one that forced me to reflect on the things that I have done right in my job. In the day- to-day demands of work it’s rare that you have the chance to do that.”

Previous years’ winners include finance stars from leading organisations across the region, including Asda, Bettys & Taylors, Jet2.com, Sheffield Hallam University, Leeds Metropolitan University and Airedale NHS Foundation Trust.

The rigorous judging procedure for the awards will include an interview with a panel of judges from Sharp Consultancy, Grant Thornton, RBS and Cobbetts. The judges then meet to discuss the Rising Star hopefuls, with the input of an independent adjudicator. Final results will be announced at a black-tie gala dinner on Thursday 9 May 2013 at Oulton Hall Hotel, in Leeds.

To nominate a talented young finance professional from your team, go to the Rising Stars website at www.yorkshirerisingstars.co.uk. Nominations close on 31 March 2013.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Grant Thornton .