North West Finance Award winners

More than 500 members of the local business community attended the North West Finance Awards gala dinner to celebrate business achievement in the region's finance and accounting departments.

The third annual awards recognised excellence at all levels – from purchase ledger and credit roles to financial controller and finance teams. The finalists came from more than 50 companies of all sizes and across many businesses including retail, service, manufacturing, professional services and public sectors.

Shaws of Darwen celebrated with its newly acclaimed credit star Alison Tetlow and assistant accountant of the year Charlotte Rhodes.

The full roster of award winners includes the Stobart Group, Meridian Business Support, 3663, Secured Mail, GB Group, Americana International and Marks and Spencer plc.

Roofing specialists IKO plc from Wigan scored a hat trick in the awards: JoAnne Downall won the purchase ledger star award, Mark Waring was declared management accountant of the year and the company won the award for outstanding business performance.

Organiser Steve Crohill said: “This is our third annual event and everyone there last night gave us a ringing endorsement that the North West Finance Awards are firmly rooted in the region’s business calendar.”

David Stanford, immediate past chairman of CIMA North West has been on the NWFA judging panel since its inception. He said: “It is great to be able to recognise achievement at both an individual and company level among the finance and accounting people. So often they’re not in the front line when it comes to recognition for their work and these awards are a real boost. There’s some excellent work happening in businesses throughout the North West.”

Award winners on the night:

Credit Star Award
Alison Tetlow from Shaws of Darwen Limited

Purchase Ledger Star Award
JoAnne Downall from IKO plc

Credit Team of the Year Award
Meridian Business Support

Assistant Accountant of the Year Award
Charlotte Rhodes from Shaws of Darwen

Management Accountant of the Year Award
Mark Waring from IKO plc

Financial Accountant of the Year Award
Gemma Shockledge from 3663

Young Finance Director of the Year Award
Michael Owen from Secured Mail

Financial Controller of the Year Award
Nicola Barr from Betfred

Large Finance Team of the Year Award
Betfred

SME Finance Director of the Year Award
Dave Wilson of GB Group plc

Small/Medium Finance Team of the Year Award
Americana international Limited

Large Company Finance Director of the Year Award
Ben Whawell of the Stobart Group

Outstanding Business Performance Award
IKO plc

Highly commended for their Outstanding contribution to Purchase Ledger
Marks and Spencer plc