Bath business leaders are being urged to enter one of the top business awards schemes recognising excellence and enterprise in the region’s boardrooms.
The annual Institute of Directors’ South West Director of the Year Awards showcase outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs and focus UK-wide attention on success in the region.
Over recent years the awards have become established as among the most prestigious in the region and Bath Business News – along with its sister titles in Bristol and Swindon – is delighted to have been invited to be media partner for the third consecutive year.
Bath Business News will carry exclusive stories and photos on the competition, including from the awards ceremony, which takes place in Bristol on June 9. 
Award nominations are now open to anyone working at director level in any type of business or organisation – they do not have to be an Institute of Directors’ (IoD) member.
Categories include Family Business, Public Sector, Not for Profit/Third Sector, International, Corporate Responsibility, Young Director and Director.
All entries will go before a panel of experts judges and the winners will be announced at the gala dinner at Bristol’s Ashton Gate stadium.
A number of directors from the Bath area have been among the winners and finalists in recent years.
Marshfield Bakery managing director Chris Smith has won awards two years running – last year adding the Best Director of a Small Company title to the coveted top title of Director of the Year he won in 2014.
Marshfield Bakery’s sales director Ben White, son of the cake and biscuit firm’s founders, was a finalist in last year’s Young Director category.
Simon Gould, managing director of Bath-based BMT Hi-Q Sigma, won the Director Development special award for the highest-scoring candidate from the South West in the IoD Certificate in Company Direction Exam.
Last year’s winners also included Gloucestershire-based commercial catering suppliers Green Gourmet’s managing director Julie Moore, who won Director of the Year; Bristol-based international development charity Deki’s founder Vashti Seth, who took the Third Sector title, and Neil Way, managing director of Bristol-based family-owned business Jeff Way Electrical Services, who was named Family Director of the Year.
IoD South West chairman Nick Sturge – director of Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub and a winner himself in 2014 – said: “These awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the role of business and enterprise leaders and their contribution to the economy of the South West, which is known for its rich diversity, from aerospace, technology and tourism through to our reputation in the creative industries and social enterprise.
”As a former winner, I can talk from experience about the privilege of achieving one of these awards as you are up against stiff opposition. I urge directors across the region to consider applying and get some recognition for the great work you are doing.”
South West winners are eligible to go forward to the UK Director Awards in London in the autumn.
The entry form and more details are available by calling 0117 3707785, by emailing, iod.southwest@iod.com or by visiting http://www.iod.com/connecting/local-networks/south-west/iod-south-west-director-of-the-year-awards-2016
The deadline for entries is March 31.
Pictured above: Chris Smith of Marshfield Bakery, right, receives his Small Company Director Award from IoD regional chairman Richard Ayre with BBC Radio Bristol presenter and awards ceremony host Laura Rawlings. Below: Last year’s winners with Laura Rawlings. Pictures by Clint Randall www.pixelprphotography.co.uk
