The FDs’ Excellence Awards 2018 | Caspian Media | 3 March 2018 | Royal College of Physicians, London, 11 St Andrews Pl, London NW1 4LE, UK

FDs are far more than number crunchers. They oversee operational areas. They help shape strategy. They optimise financial performance. But it can be a lonely role with little expert advice or peer input. The FD Surgery is designed as a remedy for this.

This highly interactive event, which takes place in partnership with Real Business in both London and Manchester, brings together experts from areas such as currency hedging and tax optimisation. We also hear from finance directors themselves, including the FDs of companies such as Boden, Just Eat and Photobox.

The FD Surgery series of events brings together entrepreneurial finance directors looking for a cure to the minor niggles and major headaches that afflict all businesses at one time or another.

Why attend?

Talk to like-minded FDs facing the same challenges that you face
Stay on top of the biggest developments effecting your entire company – not just your finance function
Get easy-to-implement advice that can provide an immediate boost to your bottom line
Protect your business with cost-effective and realistic tips on dealing with external threats
Learn from the mistakes of others
Take the next step in your career
Our events take place in both London and Manchester

The FDs’ Excellence Awards Entry Criteria
Inspirational FD of the Year
In recognition of the work of finance directors beyond the finance function -in inspiring teams, businesses, local communities and wider society -we introduced an award, for Inspirational FD. This award will identify and celebrate personally inspiring finance directors/CFOs/finance leaders who go beyond their brief in: -Supporting, motivating and inspiring their team -Building a positive profile for their business and/or industry -Contributing to community, local and/or social issues -Acting as a spokesperson/figurehead on an issue of non-core business interest.

International FD of the Year
In recognition of the work of finance directors supporting the international growth of their business.This award will identify and celebrate personally, finance directors/CFOs/finance leaders who have excelled within companies operating across borders.

Private Equity Backed FD of the Year
For our award to the Private Equity backed FD of the Year, we need to hear from, or about, outstanding finance directors in private equity backed UK businesses. What are we looking for? -FDs who go above and beyond a pure accounting function (although finance excellence should be a given). -FDs who make an active contribution to decisions by managers and staff across the business. -FDs who can “speak the language” and communicate clearly and effectively. -FDs who have undertaken challenging projects – such as systems roll-outs, new business opportunities or restructurings – that have delivered a step-change to their organisation’s performance - FDs who have saved the day – we know it’s been a challenging couple of years and some of the best FDs are those who’ve contributed to company survival as well as growth.

Young Finance Professional of the Year (Under 35)
The Young Finance Professional of the Year Award, will highlight up-and-coming finance leaders under the age of 35 as of 1st May 2018. They will typically be working in finance functions with a strong support network and top-class FD or CFO who’s on hand to develop their talent. They are the finance -and business -leaders of tomorrow. The nominee should be brimming with potential. We want to recognise their drive and ability to inspire others like them who are building tomorrow’s finance functions. Nominees will be creative, forward-thinking finance executives who demonstrate all the attributes that the FDs’. Excellence Awards celebrates: intelligence, commercial acumen, discipline, clarity, drive, technical excellence and the ability to deliver results. What are we looking for? -Someone who goes above and beyond a pure accounting function (although finance excellence should be a given). -Someone who makes an active contribution to decisions by managers and staff across the business -who’s not bound by a finance silo. - Someone who can ‘speak the language’ of business and communicates clearly and effectively with colleagues. -Someone who has undertaken challenging projects -such as systems rollouts, new business opportunities or restructurings -that have delivered a step-change to their organisation’s performance. -Someone who has saved the day -we know it’s been a challenging couple of years and some of the best finance executives are those who’ve contributed to company survival as well as growth.

Private Company FD of the Year – Smaller and Mid-Sized Business (£20m and under turnover) For our award to the Private Company FD of the Year, we need to hear from, or about, outstanding finance directors in privately owned UK businesses with a turnover of £20 million and under.

What are we looking for? -FDs who go above and beyond a pure accounting function (although finance excellence should be a given). -FDs who make an active contribution to decisions by managers and staff across the business. -FDs who can “speak the language” and communicate clearly and effectively. -FDs who have undertaken challenging projects – suchas systems roll-outs, new business opportunities or restructurings – that have delivered a step-change to their organisation’s performance. -FDs who have saved the day – we know it’s been a challenging couple of years and some of the best FDs are those who’ve contributed to company survival as well as growth.

Private Company FD of the Year – Larger Business (Over £20m turnover) For our award to the Private Company FD of the Year, we need to hear from, or about, outstanding finance directors in privately owned UK businesses with a turnover of over £20 million.
What are we looking for? -FDs who go above and beyond a pure accounting function (although finance excellence should be a given). -FDs who make an active contribution to decisions by managers and staff across the business. -FDs who can “speak the language” and communicate clearly and effectively. -FDs who have undertaken challenging projects – such as systems roll-outs, new business opportunities or restructurings – that have delivered a step-change to their organisation’s performance. -FDs who have saved the day – we know it’s been a challenging couple of years and some of the best FDs are those who’ve contributed to company survival as well as growth.

Accountancy Firm of the Year: SME Clients
KPMG

Accountancy Firm of the Year: Larger Clients
BDO

Business Bank of the Year:
Lloyds Banking Group

Financial Software Vendor: SME Clients
Microsoft Dynamics

Financial Software Vendor: Larger Clients
Sage

Inspirational FD of the Year:
Brian McArthur-Muscroft, Paysafe Group

Pension Firm of the Year:
Scottish Widows

Private Company FD of the Year – Smaller and Mid-Sized Business (£20m and under turnover):
Ross Farrow, Splash Damage

Private Company FD of the Year – Larger Business (Over £20m Turnover):
Darren Damiano, Venntro Media Group

Private Equity Backed FD of the Year:
Richard West, Clifford Thames

Recruitment Firm of the Year:
Walker Hamill

Young Finance Professional of the Year:
Kyle Tyrell, AXA