Shortlist and speaker revealed for IoD Director of the Year Awards

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has announced the shortlist for its 2021 Director of the Year Awards in the East of England.

The awards cover the five counties of Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk, celebrating the leadership, achievements and contributions of business leaders across a range of categories.

Winners will be announced at the Regional Chairs’ Gala Dinner and Director of the Year Awards ceremony on 7 January 2022 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Stansted.

Keynote speaker at the black-tie event will be Alison Edgar MBE (pictured), also known as “The Entrepreneur’s Godmother”.

Alison is a mentor, boardroom advisor, successful businesswoman and mother. She has advised No.10 on start-ups and guided multiple entrepreneurs including Dragons’ Den winners and The Apprentice champion Alana Spencer. She is a best-selling author and was awarded the MBE for services to Entrepreneurship and Small Business in October 2020.

IoD East of England Chair Biplab Rakshi said: “After what has undoubtedly been a challenging 18 months, we felt it was right and proper to invite directors from across the region to share their achievements in business, in the communities we work and live in, and the environment.

“In reflection of the unprecedented commercial landscape, we chose to adapt the categories for 2021 and we were delighted with the number of entries from across the East of England. I look forward to celebrating not just the awards, but the start of the new year with our finalists and guests at the awards event in January.”

The 2021 finalists are:

The Chair’s Award

  • Ali Clabburn, Founder & CEO, Liftshare Group

  • Amelia Alado-Blake, Executive Director, ABA Absolute Solutions Ltd

  • Ashley Higgs, Managing Director, MCG Healthcare

  • Cllr Michael Beckett, Chief Officer, Colchester Foodbank

  • David Carey, Director, Aspiring Solicitors Foundation

  • Garry Mansell, Non-Executive Director, Fountain Partnership Limited

  • Paul Boorman, Director, White Label Detroit Pizza ltd

  • Sarah Wilson, CEO, ACE Travel Management

  • Tom Brown, Chief Executive Officer, Green Light Trust

Small, Medium and Family Business

  • Ashley Higgs, Managing Director, MCG Healthcare

  • Brian Keane, Managing Director, Cameron Ventures Group Ltd (CVG)

  • Grace Harrison, Managing Director, SMY IT Services

  • Hollie Murtagh, Managing Director, Simply Education

  • Olly Magnus, CEO, Magnus Group

  • Richard Cooke, Managing Director, Seven Resourcing

  • Sarah West, Managing Director, Full Mix Marketing

  • Sarah Wilson, CEO, ACE Travel Management

Young Business

  • Nathan Lomax, Co-founder/Director, Quickfire Digital

  • James Groves, Managing Director, Indigo Swan

  • Rachel Buscall, Director, New Capital Link

  • David Carey, Director, Aspiring Solicitors Foundation

  • Tony McPartland, Managing Director, Zest Recycle

  • Cassie Bendall, Creative Director, Cheddar Creative

Social Value, Sustainability and Impact

  • Ali Clabburn, Founder & CEO, Liftshare Group

  • Tony McPartland, Managing Director, Zest Recycle

  • Tarnia Robertson, Managing Director, Ufford Park Hotel, Golf and Spa

  • Sarah Wilson, CEO, ACE Travel Management

  • Amelia Alado-Blake, Executive Director, ABA Absolute Solutions Ltd

More information and book here.

For more information, contact [email protected]



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