The top ten finance directors (FDs) from some of the region’s key mid-sized companies have been named by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP and specialist recruitment consultancy CMA Recruitment Group.
The top ten have been nominated by their managing directors, colleagues and the professional community. They are listed below (alphabetically by surname):
Craig Barlow, CFO – Appello
Julian Boardman, Finance Director – Blakell Europlacer Limited
Luca Contardo, CFO – 23.5 Degrees Limited
Kate Davis, Finance Director – Venture Engineering Group Limited
Vaughan Heard, Finance Director – BV Dairy
Chris Hoole, Finance Director – Ceuta Healthcare Limited
Robert Hopkins, Finance Director – Aerial Direct
Joe Jeffers, Group CFO – Peach Technologies Ltd
James Oliver, Finance Director – BOFA International Ltd
Jason Williams, Finance Director – RoyaleLife Group
The top ten will now be interviewed before three finalists are selected following an in-depth discussion on their individual achievements in the preceding 12 months. The overall winner will be announced at a gala dinner on the 22nd May 2019, alongside the Central South Mid Market Company of the Year.
This is the second year that BDO is partnering with CMA Recruitment Group to discover what it takes to be a successful finance director and to identify the most talented and high-achieving individuals in privately owned companies based in the Central South.
Malcolm Thixton, lead partner at BDO Southampton, explains: “The role of the finance director is changing due to developments in technology and regulation and the need to diversify into new markets. When choosing our top ten we have considered their leadership skills, contribution to business growth and strategy and financial accountability as well as impact in the wider community.”
Richard Dibden, Commercial Director at CMA Recruitment Group, adds: “The quality of entries has been extremely high and they’ve come from a wide range of sectors. I’m looking forward to understanding more about their achievements as we meet with each of the top ten over the coming weeks.”
Mid-market companies with turnovers between £10m and £300m are increasingly recognised as the engine for the UK’s economic growth, employing over 20% of the region’s workforce and delivering over 30% of its revenue. The combined turnover of companies is £15 billion, an increase of £1.3 billion compared to the year previously.
This is the fourth year BDO has run its Central South Mid Market campaign with companies already recognised during 2018 for international success and profit growth.
