A Cardiff-based Communications specialist has been named IoD Wales Director of the Year 2012.
Sara Robinson, Managing Director of Cake Communications, collected the award at the SWALEC Stadium on Thursday 17th May. The awards scheme, sponsored by Cardiff Business School, saw 21 business leaders selected as finalists.
Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of IoD Wales, said: “The economic climate over the last few years has not been easy for business and there continues to be a high level of uncertainty. We are facing unique challenges as a nation and as business leaders. It is for those who see these challenges as opportunities, for those who are able to adapt and grow and for those that take the calculated risks and push the boundaries in their sectors that we are again looking to champion success and highlight inspired business leadership.
“Sara was selected by our judges to be a finalist in this year’s awards because she epitomises this in what she has achieved at Cake Communications.
“Our winners represent all that’s good about Welsh enterprise; they’re hardworking individuals who have key leadership roles in wonderful modern businesses.”
Sara established Cake Communications in 2011. Based in Cardiff Bay, the company is acquiring an enviable reputation for excellence in delivering successful results for customers through innovative use of social media, traditional and digital PR and online content strategy.
Clients include High Performance Computing Wales, Nolan uPVC, Clark’s Pies, Real Estate Asset Management Services, Wales Cooperative Centre and City ethical investment firm Iona Capital.
Sara said: “I’m very honoured to win this prestigious award. Our talented team works very hard to deliver exceptional service to clients, and my aim is for Cake Communications to be the best-respected communications consultancy in Wales.
“Our values are very simple; innovation, relationships, genuine engagement and quite simply, making a difference. My vision is for the agency to be a great place to work and learn and I see it as a vehicle for nurturing the next generation of communications talent in Wales.”
Edwina Hart congratulated the winners and all those who had been shortlisted. She said: “I was very impressed by the calibre of those nominated. We need leaders and managers with the vision, confidence and skills to create strong, successful and sustainable businesses to revitalise the economy and create jobs.
“These awards are important as they recognise and reward those making a significant contribution to the success of the businesses and organisations they work for, despite the very challenging economic climate.”
Cardiff Business School was main sponsor of the awards programme. Other sponsors included the SWALEC Stadium, PR specialists Effective Communication, brand consultants Savva Design, Tracy Marsh Marketing & Events and executive development firm Cordel Gowan. Media partner was ITV Wales.
Categories included: Young Director of the Year, Director of the Year, Director in a Family Business, Director in a Small Business, Environmental Leadership, Talent & Innovation, Chairman’s Award. Category sponsors include: ACCA Wales, Capital Law, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff Council, HWB Cymru, Lloyds TSB Commercial, Leadership & Management Wales, Royal Mail and RWE Npower.
Nominations were open to anyone working at director level at any type of business. The scheme complements the IoD’s UK-wide awards programme. Welsh winners will go forward to this year’s UK event.