Institute of Directors (IoD) East of England Director of the Year Awards 2020 opens for entries

Business leaders across Suffolk are being urged to put themselves forward for one of the region’s most prestigious business awards.

Entries are now open for the Institute of Directors (IoD) East of England Director of the Year Awards 2020.

A celebration of success and leadership talent, the IoD awards offer the business community a chance to acknowledge the excellence and professionalism we have here in the Enterprising East.

The annual event is a showcase for business excellence and the significant contributions leaders can make to the social and economic prosperity in the community.

The Awards are free to enter and are open to all directors or equivalent level, executive and non-executive, whether or not they are IoD members. Business leaders can send in their own entry or nominate someone else they believe is making a significant difference. The deadline for entries is Friday 27^th March.

Those shortlisted for the final will be invited to attend an awards lunch on Friday 12th June 2020 at the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket alongside many of the region’s leading business people.

Chosen by their peers

Simone Robinson, regional director IoD East of England said: “The IoD East Awards are a unique opportunity for Suffolk directors to celebrate their achievements as business leaders with their peers.

“Whether you enter, or are nominated, the IoD Awards recognise every aspect of business, from leadership and innovation to corporate social responsibility.

“Entry is free of charge via a dedicated online platform, so we urge Suffolk directors to take part and fly the flag for this amazing and commercially diverse region.”

Past winners

Business directors from Suffolk who were recognised at the IoD East of England Director of the Year Awards in 2019 include Helen Rudd, MD of Prominent PR who was highly commended for SME Director of the Year and Laura Morrison, managing director at Your Telemarketing, in Bury St Edmunds, who was named Director of the Year in the Corporate Social Responsibility category.

The judges commented: “Laura has a passion and dedication to her CSR initiatives. She has taken a lead in positioning her organisation as a centre of excellence and provides opportunity for the disadvantaged to gain access to experience and learning.”

Laura went on to win highly commended for CSR at the IoD National Awards in October 2019.

Laura was delighted with the award saying, “It is extremely important for me to create a working environment which my employees not only enjoy, but which enables them to flourish. Our roles can often be stressful, so I am committed to their emotional wellbeing”.

“I’m passionate about supporting young people in their transition from education to employment” continued Laura. “I deliver a confident telephone skills workshop as part of The Mix, Stowmarket’s Together Project, which enables and empowers young people to change their world and ours.

Laura went on to comment that she felt extremely privileged to be able to make a contribution to the people and the charities she works with, and thrilled that the IoD should commend her efforts both for her charitable work and with her amazing team

The IoD East of England Director of the Year Awards 2020 are sponsored by Rickard Luckin Chartered Accountants and Tax Advisers, Direct Solutions and Focus 7 International. An online entry form and nomination form can be found at this link: www.iodawards.com/east

Pictured: Laura Morrison, MD of Your Telemarketing, regional and national IoD award-winner in 2019