The Institute of Directors has announced major backers for its
West Midlands Director of the Year awards on March 31.
The University of Wolverhampton is named overall sponsor of the
awards - designed to celebrate those who helped stem the tide of
recession from engulfing their business or put in place strategies
that led their company to increased growth and profitability.
Director of the Year (large company) is under the wing of
Turkish Airlines.
Law firm Irwin Mitchell is to support the Family Business
Director of the Year category.
And Young Director of the Year is being backed by GAP
Personnel.
John Phillips, IoD regional director, said active interest was
being shown in the other four categories - International Director
of the Year, Not-for-Profit, Director of the Year for Environmental
Leadership and Director of the Year (SME).
And it all culminates in the main award of the IoD West Midlands
Director of the Year.
Mr Phillips said: "This has been a marvellous response from the
business community.
"Being at the heart of the Black Country, and with manufacturing
on the up, the University of Wolverhampton is increasingly playing
an important role in knowledge transfer. We are very pleased to be
working with them.
"Turkish Airlines is becoming increasingly active in the West
Midlands and has fantastic links worldwide.
"Irwin Mitchell is particularly strong in employment law and a
good fit with our members.
"And Gap Personnel has a keen interest in helping young people
progress their careers."
The winners were to receive their awards at a gala dinner due to
be held at Eleven Brindleyplace, home of the IoD, but the response
has been so huge that the event has been switched to the Botanical
Gardens, with a 7pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets are on sale at
£55 per person or £500 for table of 10.
After dinner speaker is mountain climber Ian Woodall.
The compere is Melanie Smart.
An independent panel of experts will judge the nominations.
The awards are open to all directors or those of similar status.
This includes LLPs, partners, appropriate sole traders and public
sector employees. You do not need to be an IoD member to enter -
the closing date is Friday February 18.
Each West Midlands category winner will automatically go forward
to the prestigious IoD national awards, to be held in Lancaster
House, London on September 23.
Entry is free. A written submission is required, backed up by a
short verification interview.