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Fourteen business leaders from across Wales have been recognised at IoD Wales’ Director of the Year Awards 2017.

Celtic Manor Resort chairman and telecommunications billionaire Sir Terry Matthews was named director of the year, while IoD Wales director Robert Lloyd Griffiths’ accolade was given to Debra Barber, managing director at Cardiff Airport.

Miriam Warner, managing director at Miracle Workers Agency was given the Judges’ awards, which wasn’t included in the shortlist but was announced at the event.

Talent and Innovation was also a surprise category, announced on the day and awarded to Bradley Cummings and Gareth Williams of Tiny Rebel Brewery in Newport.

There were four additional categories at this year’s awards, which are now in their seventh year.

Highlight of business calendar

The awards have become an established highlight on the Welsh business calendar and celebrate business achievements and inspirational leaders across Wales while bringing all sectors of the business community together, irrespective of size, geography and longevity.

Patrick Nash, CEO at Nantgarw-based Connect Assist, was named director of the year in the corporate responsibility category and Chris Macnamara, owner of The Brogue Trader was named director of a family business.

Mark Burn, chief financial officer at Newport-based Henry Howard Finance, was named director of the year in the finance sector, while Steven Ades, financial controller at Aerfin Ltd, was highly commended.

(Image: (C) RHS)

Maxine Wiseman, director of organisational development at Trivallis Ltd in Pontypridd, was given the accolade of HR director of the year and Scott Liddle, operations director at Acorn, was named director of the year in the medium/large business category.

Gareth Chapman, chief executive at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, was named director of the year in the public sector, and James Smith, CEO and co-founder of DevOpsGuys, won the Small Business category.

Matthew Cole, managing director of Gofal Enterprises in Bridgend, was named director of the year within social enterprise, and Glyn Jenkins from Bastleford Engineering and Consultancy in Pembrokeshire was named winner in the start-up category.

Rob Dance, founder and CEO at RockIT in Pencoed, was named young director of the year with Emma Hill, co-founder of Pembrokeshire Falconry being highly commended in the same category.

Exemplars of leadership

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director of IoD Wales, said: “Today exemplifies what is at the very heart of what the IoD is all about - good governance and leadership.

"Good leaders and good directors enable businesses to meet their full potential. In simple terms, better directors mean better business means a better economy.

"Today we have honoured directors and senior managers who are exemplars in the business community from across Wales, who have this year lead their organisations with distinctions. Many congratulations to all finalists today.”

Winners from the Welsh regional awards, which are once again sponsored by Cardiff Business School, are forwarded for the IoD National awards which culminate in an Awards Lunch in London in the autumn.

IoD WALES DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR WINNERS

Corporate Responsibility

Patrick Nash, Connect Assist (Nantgarw, Cardiff)

Director in a Family Business - sponsored by Retail Merchandising Services Ltd

Chris Macnamara, The Brogue Trader, (Cardiff)

Finance Director of the Year

Mark Burn, Henry Howard Finance (Langstone, Newport)

Director of the Year - Human Resources – sponsored by Acorn Executive Search

Maxine Wiseman, Trivallis (Pontypridd)

Director of the Year - Medium/Large Business

Scott Liddle, Acorn Group (Newport)

Director of the Year - Public Sector - sponsored by Academi Wales

Gareth Chapman, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough (Merthyr)

Director of the Year - Small Business - sponsored by Darwin Gray

James Smith, DevOpsGuys, (Cardiff)

Director of the Year - Social Enterprise - sponsored by Legal & General

Matthew Cole, Gofal Enterprises Limited (Bridgend)

Director of the Year - Start-Up - sponsored by Airvent

Glyn Jenkins, Bastleford Engineering and Consultancy (Pembrokeshire)

Young Director of the Year - sponsored by Tidal Lagoon

Rob Dance, RockIT Ltd (Pencoed, Bridgend)

Talent and Innovation Award - sponsored by ACCA

Bradley Cummings and Gareth Williams, Tiny Rebel (Newport)

The Judges’ Award

Miriam Warner, Miracle Workers Agency (Abergavenny)

Director’s Award

Debra Barber, Cardiff Airport

Chairman’s Award

Sir Terry Matthews, Celtic Manor Resort.