It's the year of the FD

Although no longer the silent partner, finance directors are often overlooked
when it comes to being handed praise. Chief executives will often be given
credit for performance when, in fact, FDs are just as important in delivering
the results. So, consider this your chance to redress the balance.

The Accountancy Age Awards are celebrated with a gala dinner at the Battersea
Park Arena, London, in November and there are several categories in which you
and your team can receive the recognition you deserve.

With individual achievement awards up for grabs in the blue chip, growing
business and public services categories there is no excuse for not entering.
Finance teams are also given the opportunity to be recognised in both the
business and public sector categories. The deadline for all categories is 4
August ­ but start working on your entry now.

The winner of the blue chip finance director of the year award last year was
Andrew McFarlane for his modernising work at Land Securities Group (he is now FD
of Rentokil Initial), which, among other things, saw him carry out a £3.2bn debt
restructuring. Joanna Dennis, FD of Blackwood Distillers, won the growing
business award and Nathan Elvery of Croydon Council walked away with the public
and voluntary sector award.

The team awards offer you the opportunity to celebrate with your colleagues
an outstanding year’s work. Last year, food service company Baxter Story was
dancing on the tables on the evening for its success in the business finance
team of the year category, while Richmond upon Thames was rewarded in the public
sector/voluntary category.

In the four years previous to winning the award, Baxter Story had grown from
a single company with annual sales of £22m to four companies with annual
turnover of £125m. “It set out with a growth agenda, grew, completed
acquisitions and showed evidence of team success,” said the judges at the time.

For more information on how to enter the awards, and greater detail on
the categories, visit www.accountancyage.com/awards