Peter Maskell, head of Birmingham healthcare group BHSF, has been named West Midlands Director of the Year.
He was the overall winner of the Institute of Directors regional Director of the Year Awards Competition 2012, heading a high quality field and a record number of entries.
And chairman John Rider’s special award went to Mick Laverty, chief executive of former regional development agency Advantage West Midlands – hailed for its economic contribution over the past decade.
Mr Maskell took the overall winner honours at a Champagne Breakfast held at
Warwickshire County Cricket Club and compered by TV journalist and broadcaster, Arti Halai.
An IoD member, he also won in the Small & Medium Sized Enterprise business category.
Ladywood-based, BHSF has been part of the fabric of Birmingham since 1873.
The competition judges recognised how Mr Maskell had transformed the business, since he took the helm 13 years ago.
Regional director John Phillips said: “Peter is very unassuming but perfectly represents the IoD’s values of enterprise with integrity. He cares greatly about his team and has always believed that successful businesses should put something back into society. This is evident from a number of corporate social responsibility projects that are delivered by the firm, which Peter very much leads from the front. He must take credit for its strong position today.
“Overall, our judges were very impressed with the passion, hard work and enterprise that so many people have demonstrated in these most challenging of times. It is absolutely right that the IoD celebrates, rewards and marks the achievement of individual entrepreneurs who create wealth and employment across our region.”
Chartered director, Craig Errington, CEO of the Wesleyan Assurance Society, won last year’s overall national award in London and the IoD hopes a West Midlands award winner will go on to succeed again in London later this year.
The winners in each category were:
Large Company Category Winner
Richard Close of Briggs Equipment Ltd. The judges were particularly impressed with his management style, his commitment to his people and passion for customer service.
Close runner up was Alistair Cochrane, of TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, who received a highly commended citation for steering the business successfully through difficult trading times.
Small to Medium Enterprise Winner
Peter Maskell, chief executive of BHSF Group.
John Nollett, managing director, Pailton Engineering Ltd, and James Heather, Argent Estates Ltd, were both highly commended.
Young Director Category
Samantha Porter, marketing director, Wesleyan Assurance Society. The judges were impressed with her strong leadership style and intellect coupled with a determination to succeed.
Clive Bawden, director, Catalyst Corporate Finance and a trustee of the CBSO and former chairman of the Young Directors Forum together with business development director, Mark Petty of NextiraOne were both highly commended.
Family Business Category
Kirsty Davis-Chinnock of Professional Polishing Services Ltd. Praised for her tremendous enthusiasm and passion for the business together with her straight forward and open approach.
Anne Corstorphine, director of the Corporate Pod, was highly commended, particularly for her commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Environmental Category
Dean Walton, director of Warwickshire-based Alumet Group. The business specialises in external building facades and renewable technologies and Mr Walton was also named West Midlands Green Leader in January.
Not for Profit
Stephen Maddock, director of the CBSO, also a director of Marketing Birmingham, who was described “a credit to the city”.
Runner up was long standing IoD member, Peter Johnson, director of the Meningitis Trust, who was highly commended.
Chairman’s Award
Traditionally, the chairman of the IoD makes an award to an outstanding business personality who has made a strong regional contribution to business and the local economy.
Regional chairman, John Rider, chose Mick Laverty, chief executive of the former Advantage West Midlands.
Mr Rider said: “Under the wise chairmanship of Sir Roy McNulty, Mick managed a strong team of professionals that delivered real value for our region.
“In 2010 the National Audit Office rated AWM England’s best performing RDA and the agency won the Midlands Excellence Awards in 2011. Mick and his colleagues locked the doors at Priestley Wharf for the last time recently – the run-down to closure was professional and orderly and, thankfully, the word is that most of the staff have been successful in gaining employment elsewhere.
“The West Midlands has a lot to be grateful for, for what he and his excellent team achieved over the last decade.”
The IoD has a strong tradition of working with students and young people. Product and Design student Gwenaël Prost, from the University of Wolverhampton designed and made the awards. He used origami to create a paper laurel wreath design which was finally manufactured in copper and brushed chrome and forms the main structure of the trophies.
Other category sponsors were Chiltern Railways, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Torquil Clark Financial Services Advisers and Web Spiders. Operating out of Birmingham Airport, Flybe also offered flights and hotel accommodation in Guernsey for two of the winners in conjunction with the St Pierre Park Hotel.