Hard work and enterprise will again be rewarded as the Institute of Directors in the West Midlands launches its Director of the Year Competition 2012.
Nominations are now open until Wednesday, February 29, and winners will be eligible for consideration for the prestigious national awards in London on Friday, October 5.
Last year Craig Errington, chief executive of Birmingham-based Wesleyan Assurance Society, was named the country’s overall Director of the Year. Also taking the Director of the Year (Large Company) category, he was presented with the honour by Michael Portillo at a glittering ceremony at the Lancaster Hotel in the capital.
“We would like to make it two years in a row if we can,” said John Phillips, IoD regional director.
“That would be a real coup for the West Midlands. So we need as many nominations to come in as possible.
“It is also a fantastic way to generate positive PR with very little cost.”
Nominations close on Wednesday, February 29, with interviews taking place in Birmingham on Friday, March 23.
Mr Errington has agreed to join the already impressive judging panel.
The West Midlands Awards will be presented at a special champagne breakfast to be held a Warwickshire County Cricket Club on Tuesday, May 15. Former Central News presenter Arti Halai, now a director of Fleet Street Consulting Ltd and a member of the Institute of Directors, will compere the event.
Entry to the competition is free. To apply visit www.iod.com/westmidlands/awards or for further details contact the regional office.
Valuable sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Current sponsors lined up include the University of Wolverhampton, Irwin Mitchell,Chiltern Railways and Torquil Clark.
Nominations cover the following categories: Large Company; SME; Young Director (under 42); Family Business; Environmental/CSR; and Not for profit/public sector.
An overall West Midlands winner will be selected once the categories are decided.
Mr Phillips said: “Last year we had a marvellous response from the business community and we are hoping for the same again.
“Indeed the response was so huge we had to switch the gala dinner from Eleven Brindleyplace, home of the IoD, to the Botanical Gardens.”
The awards are open to all directors or those of similar status. This includes LLPs, partners, appropriate sole traders and public sector employees. You do not need to be an IoD member to enter.