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Leading names in North West finance Shortlisted for FD Awards 2018

The leading finance directors across Liverpool, Cheshire and North Wales have been recognised on the shortlist for the annual FD Awards.

The prestigious awards, which are now in their eighth year, are sponsored by leading business advisers Grant Thornton, Accountable Recruitment, law firm Hill Dickinson and HSBC. They shine a light on the best and brightest North West finance has to offer, across both public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

The winners will be announced at a prestigious black tie awards ceremony on November 8, at the Hilton Hotel, Liverpool, and will be hosted by sports presenter Hugh Ferris.

Guests will be entertained and inspired by Andy Grant, a former Royal Marine, who overcame the adversity of losing a leg after an IED blast in Afghanistan to become the world’s fastest single leg amputee in the world over 10km by clocking a time of 37:17.

The shortlisted categories range from ‘Best Finance Director of the Year 250m+ turnover’ to ‘Best Finance Director under 40 years of age’.

Separate accolades for ‘Finance Director of the Year’ in Liverpool, Warrington, Cheshire and North Wales, as well as an award for ’Overall FD of the Year, will be unveiled on the evening.

Carl Williams, North West managing partner at Grant Thornton, said: “The North West is blessed with some fantastic businesses, from market-leading corporates to dynamic, entrepreneurial SMEs. The role talented FDs play in driving the success for region is crucial, particularly during these times of uncertainty and opportunity.

“The 2018 shortlist is as impressive as ever and we’re incredibly proud to support these excellent awards.”

Simon Massey, managing director at Accountable Recruitment, said: “We have an incredibly strong shortlist from a wide range of organisations, showcasing the depth and calibre of finance leaders we have working within our local regions. I’m proud to be involved in recognising them with these awards”

Tom Carter, Area Director, Corporate Banking at HSBC, said: “HSBC works with many of the companies listed for these awards, so we know just how hard they all work. The role of an FD is fundamental to providing strategic direction to a business and it is fantastic to see so much local talent being recognised at these awards. We take pride in being involved in the FD awards.”

Mike Jones, corporate finance partner at Hill Dickinson, added: “Sound financial management, strategic direction, discipline and foresight are essential characteristics for any Financial Director and these finalists have all of these qualities in abundance. It is great to see the best talent in the region acknowledged at these awards.”

The full list of finalists for the 2018 Finance Director of the Year Awards follows:

FD Under 40 years of age – Commerce and Industry Andy Matthews - Inciner8 Danielle James – Liverpool John Lennon Airport Kat Farrall – Farrall’s Group

FD Under 40 years of age - Not for Profit David Fletcher - The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Learning Group Andy Roberts – Medicash

FD of a business Up to £12m Turnover Jon Else – Forster Dean Solicitors Simon Dutton – Counterline Limited

FD of a business £12-32m Turnover Scarlett Richardson – Boardlink Limited Andrew Simms – Archwood Group Limited Russell Hunt – MDS Global

FD of a business £32 - £60 Million Turnover Saeed Muhammad – Gastronomy Restaurants Michael Graham – Sykes Cottages Limited Martin Anderton – Cheshire Mouldings Limited

FD of a business £60 – £250m Turnover Jamie Webb – Health Care Resourcing Group Greg Andrews – Calder Group Steve Kenyon – Thomas Hardie Commercials Limited

Large Corporate / £250M + Turnover Jennifer Halliday – CF Fertilisers Richard Ewen – Iceland Foods Limited Jayne Cottam – Assura Plc Stephen Hill - Matalan Retail Limited

Commercial Finance Director of the Year Nikki Edge – Edge Transport Limited Jason Hiley – The Cake Crew David Whalley – Griffiths & Armour Chris Wainwright – Beech Group

FD of a Non Profit Organisation Gareth Jones – Coleg Cambria Nikhil Khashu – St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospital NHS Trust Ann Monk – City of Liverpool College/Managing Director-SharED Duncan Preston – Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

The following awards will be announced on the night:

• Finance Director of the Year Liverpool City Region

• Finance Director of the Year North Wales

• Finance Director of the Year Cheshire

• Special Recognition Award

• Overall Finance Director of the year

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellie Watson .