Shortlist of Wales’ top directors is announced

Finalists have been named for the prestigious Institute of Directors Wales Director of the Year Awards. The awards, which celebrate the best of Welsh businesses and leadership, will be held on Friday, May 17th and are sponsored by Cardiff Business School.

Finalists for seven categories have been announced, with a further four being announced on the day. The Judges’, Inclusivity, International (sponsored by Qatar Airways) and Non-Exec Awards will be awarded at the lunchtime award ceremony at Sophia Gardens.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of the Institute of Directors in Wales said:

Despite really challenging times and the uncertainty of Brexit’s impact on business; Directors across Wales are really making their mark in guiding and inspiring their staff while supplying or providing really innovative products and services. The calibre of this year’s shortlist is hugely impressive and it was no easy task to scale back to a shortlist.

We are grateful to all for taking the time to get in touch to let us know about their companies, teams and organisations and we look forward to celebrating the success of all those shortlisted at next month’s awards.

Professor Rachel Ashworth, Dean and Head of School at Cardiff Business School said:

We’re proud to sponsor this annual celebration of excellence in Welsh business and leadership. We continue to be inspired by the innovation, creativity and ambition of the nominees and look forward to the awards ceremony where their achievements – in a challenging economic environment – will be recognised. Despite these challenges, the nominees illustrate the significant contribution Welsh business makes, not just to the economy but also to society, within Wales and the world. A mission that we share as a Business School that champions public value.

Sponsors of this year’s awards include Qatar Airways; ACCA Cymru; Effective Communication; ITV Wales, Development Bank Wales; Academi Wales; SONY; Retail Merchandising Services (RMS); Welsh Government; Darwin Gray and Legal & General.

The shortlist includes:

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – FAMILY BUSINESS
Sponsored by Retail Merchandise Services
Rayner Davies, A & R Contract Cleaning
Victoria Hartson, Hartson Fire
Cariann Emauelli, Wize Virtual Admin

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Sponsored by Welsh Government
Geraint Lewis, Call of the Wild Ltd
Danielle Watts-Jones, DWJ Wealth Management Ltd

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – INNOVATION
Sponsored by ACCA Cymru Wales
Lucy Cohen, Mazuma
Karl Morris, Bravura Foods

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – START-UP
Sponsored by Darwin Gray
Gareth Jarman, Gentium International Ltd
Catrin Jones, Crwst

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – PUBLIC/THIRD SECTOR
Sponsored by Academi Wales
Joanne Popham, Paul Popham Renal Fund Wales
Lynne Hughes, MS Society Cymru
Kaye Harris-John, The Pettifor Trust
Angela Hughes, Welsh Air Ambulance Charitable Trust

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – SME
Sponsored by Development Bank Wales
Karl Morris, Bravura Foods
Dan Berry, Kagool
Jeffrey Pugh, Pugh Computers
Craig Palfrey, Penguin Wealth
James Crawford, Johnsey Estates UK Ltd

YOUNG DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jo Foxall, PTI Cymru Ltd
Cariann Emanuelli, Wize Virtual Admin

To purchase tickets for the Awards Lunch please call Tracy Marsh on 07969 536321 or email tracy@marshmarketing.co.uk