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Chartered accountants celebrate top Manchester talent

The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW) Manchester, rewarded outstanding talent and potential at its annual dinner and awards event at The Lowry Hotel last week (March 9th).

The evening gave the ICAEW Chartered Accountants Manchester the opportunity to acknowledge the region’s best firms and individuals who inspire excellent performance in both the accountancy profession and business.

Sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University, finance and recruitment specialists Sellick Partnership and niche lenders Together, the dinner and awards night attracted over 250 chartered accountants and guests.

As well as celebrating the awards, attendees enjoyed networking and fine-dining in one of Manchester’s most prestigious venues and heard an excellent keynote speech from TV presenter, actor and singer Alexander Armstrong.

The Best Finance Leader Award, which recognises a chartered accountant who has shown outstanding leadership skills, was awarded to Maria Hallows of Beever and Struthers. Shortlisted finalists were Susan Barber of KPMG and Karl Mannering of Pannone Corporate.

Maria was recognised for her leadership, ensuring the team and clients were ahead of fundamental changes resulting from the FRS102 implementation. Through her work Beever and Struthers has established itself as market leader in the social housing sector. As ‘expert in field’ the firm has also built strong connections with ICAEW’s Social Housing (SORP) and now provides technical expertise to help influence policy decisions.

Roger Hannah & Co won the accolade for Best Finance Team (In House). Cargo Overseas Ltd were shortlisted.

Roger Hannah and Co finance team led a review of working practices across the company, looking for efficiencies in service delivery and visibly modernising the firm and driving a clear sense of pride and professionalism.

The Rising Star Award, which celebrates the profession’s brightest prospects in business or practice, was too close to call so both Harriet Parsons of KPMG and Lauren Roberts from Hurst and Co were both winners.

Harriet has been recognised for her range of skills and drive to succeed. Joining KPMG as a school leaver her dedication and technical prowess has put her on track for promotion to manager this year, the youngest ever person to achieve it at KPMG’s UK practice.

Lauren has been rewarded for showing great confidence during the firm’s biggest corporate finance transaction She led and managed a cross-functional team, ensuring all parties were happy throughout the transaction and this was whilst taking her final exams. Her self-assurance and technical knowledge given her age was widely commented on.

Richard Dyson was presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award, for being a passionate supporter of ICAEW throughout his working life and for dedicating so much of his time to charitable activities including being Chairman of the Wythenshawe Transplant Fund since 2008.

The ICAEW Chartered Accountants Manchester Award in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) was given to Adam Rawling of White & Co.

Alan Clarke, President of the ICAEW Chartered Accountants Manchester, said: “This year the competition for our awards was tougher than ever, leading to much debate among the judges – and in fact in one category we awarded two top prizes. Each winner was entirely deserving of the recognition, and it gave me great pleasure to present the awards on behalf of their peers on a fantastic night.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Souter .