Member Article

Naveen Ahmed wins UK Director of the Year Award

Naveen Ahmed of The Parklane Group has been named the UK’s top director of a family business by the Institute of Directors (IoD).

He received the award at the national finals of the IoD’s Director of the Year Awards, held at The Royal Horticultural Halls, London.

Over the last four decades, Leeds-based The Parklane Group has become a market leader in property and leisure, owning and operating leading brands including Roomzzz aparthotels and IconInc student accommodation.

Naveen has more than 30 years’ experience in the property industry. As managing director, he is as hands-on as possible, from construction and appraisals to refurbishment projects, while leading the wider growth of the business.

Naveen said: “Winning such a prestigious award and being recognised in this way is fantastic for everyone in the team. It gives us a real buzz and focus. We pride ourselves on the inclusive way that we run the business. Everyone is part of the family and everyone can share in this success. It also sets a benchmark for the next generation of colleagues coming through.”

Judge Gareth Loye, chief executive of M&M Contractors, said: “The Parklane Group story was inspirational. The entry showed clear vision and strategy for the company. In turn, the MD provided guidance and leadership through a recession.”

Stephen Martin, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said: “My congratulations go to all of our winning directors for the exceptional work they have put in over the year, contributing not just to the economy, but to society as well. Whether it be in private enterprise, charity, or the public sector, great leadership is immensely valuable, and our award-winners have set the bar in this regard, and well deserve to be recognised.

“An attribute shared among many of this year’s winners is the ability to harness emerging technologies, often for wider social purposes. The essence of business leadership lies in grappling with new ideas and understanding how these can fuel the success of your organisation, and our award winners set a great example.”

Entries are now open to business leaders in Yorkshire and the North East for the Director of the Year Awards 2019. New categories have been added for 2019 to recognise the Young Director of the Year and the leading director of a business with a £50 million-plus turnover.

The winners will be celebrated at a black-tie dinner in the Principal York hotel on 4 July 2019. They will go through to represent the region at the UK finals.

The categories are:

Director of the Year – Non-Executive Director of the Year – Innovation Director of the Year – Young Director of the Year – Public/Third Sector Director of the Year - Family Business Director of the Year – Inclusivity
Director of the Year – Corporate Social Responsibility
Director of the Year – Start-Up Director of the Year – Small-Medium Business (up to £50 million turnover) Director of the Year - Large Business (more than £50 million turnover)
Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice

To view all the winners from the national finals, go to http://www.iodawards.com/welcome/national-director-of-the-year-awards-winners

To enter the 2019 awards, go to www.iodawards.com/yorks-northeast

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Abbott .