Finance Director of the Year Awards 2024 – Winners Announced
Hosted by Accountable Recruitment in partnership with HSBC, Brabners, and KPMG, the event honoured exceptional financial leaders from Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire, North Wales, and Warrington. These prestigious awards celebrated the often-underestimated contributions of finance directors who play a pivotal role in driving business success across the region. In addition to acknowledging so many brilliant finalists and winners, the evening also raised over £3800 for Zoe’s Place in Liverpool.
The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Gemma Swift, Finance Director at Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited, who was named the Overall Winner and Finance Director of the Year 2024. Michael Kingston of West Wallasey Car Hire Limited received the Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging his enduring impact on the industry.
Regional category winners included:
- Liverpool City Region: Irene Hamilton, Stanley Estates
- North Wales: Steve Phillips, Wrexham AFC Limited
- West Cheshire: Andrew Grant, Johnsons Hotel Linen
Full List of 2024 Winners:
- Alex Stephens - EMS Healthcare
- Andrew Grant - Johnsons Hotel Linen
- Andy Johnson - Pura
- Gemma Swift - Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Limited
- Hazel Locker - Primary Care 24
- Helen Pearson - Conexus Medstaff
- Irene Hamilton - Stanley Estates
- Joe Pollard - Applied Nutrition plc
- Mark Roach - George Roberts (North West) Limited
- Michael Kingston - West Wallasey Car Hire Limited
- Peter Moss - Red Systems Ltd
- Steve Phillips - Wrexham AFC Limited
- Stuart Ward - MJ Quinn Integrated Services
Simon Massey, Managing Director of Accountable Recruitment, reflected on the year: “It was another incredibly challenging year for the UK economy. Despite this, I had the pleasure of meeting and engaging with many talented finance directors in the region who worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges thrown their way. Our 2024 finalists showed resilience, talent, and tenacity and consistently delivered, earning some well-deserved recognition. Massive congratulations to our Class of 2024!”
Nik White, Managing Partner of Brabners, added: “We work with many talented finance directors across the region and are delighted to recognise those individuals who demonstrate the highest level of strategic awareness and commercialism to contribute to the success of their organisation, and the Northern economy. Congratulations to the outstanding winners.”
Tom Carter, Area Director of Corporate Banking at HSBC, remarked: “2024 has been another year of change, particularly in the political sense. However, no matter what your political allegiance and in spite all of what is going on around us, one thing remains constant - entrepreneurial spirit. HSBC is delighted to sponsor the FD of the Year awards for the 11th year, an event that seeks to celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit in the region and most importantly, those individuals and teams that drive and support this in their everyday actions.
To our awards winners, I say a huge congratulations! You should be really proud of this achievement.”
Jennifer Lee, Office Senior Partner for KPMG in Liverpool, commented: “Congratulations to this year’s winners who really stood out to the judges for the fantastic work they’ve been doing in the region. Finance directors play an integral part in businesses, so it’s great we are able to continue to recognise the role they play and the impact they have through these awards.”
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2024 Finance Director of the Year Awards!
