Pictured: John Rider (left), chairman of the Institute of
Directors in the West Midlands, is pictured with Craig Errington,
chief executive of Birmingham-based Wesleyan Assurance Society, who
has won the prestigious Institute of Directors national award for
Director of the Year
Craig Errington, chief executive of Birmingham-based Wesleyan
Assurance Society, has won the prestigious Institute of Directors'
national award for Director of the Year 2011.
Also taking the Director of the Year (Large Company) category,
he was presented with the honour by Michael Portillo at a
glittering ceremony at the Lancaster Hotel in London.
Mr Errington said he was "surprised and delighted".
He added: "I put it down to three things - 33 per cent the
professional development I have received from the IoD, 33 per cent
my team and 34 per cent the fantastic support and understanding I
have received from my wife Gail."
Craig is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Chartered
Director. The status of chartered director is the IoD's top
qualification for excellence at board level and requires ongoing
commitment to continuous professional development.
Having joined the Wesleyan Assurance Society in 1991 as a
financial adviser, he progressed rapidly through the company with
eight successive promotions and a number of awards achieved in
every role carried out. Mr Errington has been chief executive since
2005.
Since taking on the role, the level of sales increase has gone
from 54 per cent in 2005 to 82 per cent in 2010. In 2011 the
business has continued its upward trajectory despite the difficult
economic climate.
Regional chairman John Rider said: "This is a fantastic coup for
the IoD in the West Midlands. Craig won our large business category
award at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston on March 31 and as a
regional winner qualified for the national awards. The IoD has 12
regions across the UK so the competition was really
intense.
"Despite the trying times I congratulate Craig for continuing to
manage the business in line with his long term strategy.
"We were also thrilled that out of the five nominations from our
region, Mohammed Hussain, managing director of Mobil Fun, was
highly commended in the important category reserved for Young
Directors."
Miles Templeman, IoD director-general, said: "I would like to
extend my warmest congratulations to Craig. He is an outstanding
winner and I wish him and Wesleyan Assurance Society more success
over the years to come. He has beaten some incredible competition
from across the country to win the ultimate accolade."
The principal event sponsor was Samsung Electronics.
The IoD West Midland will shortly be announcing full details of
the 2012 Director of the Year Awards. Anyone interested in applying
should contact regional director John Phillips on
john.phillips@iod.com.
Categories will include: Large Business; Small to Medium
Enterprise (up to 250 employees); Young Director (under 42); Family
Business; and Third Sector/Not for Profit.