Now in their seventh year, theFinance Director of the Year awards are sponsored by Grant Thornton, Accountable Recruitment, Hill Dickinson and HSBC and were held at the Hilton Hotel

The top finance directors from Liverpool, Cheshire, Warrington and North Wales have been celebrated at the Finance Director of the Year awards, during a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool.

Now in their seventh year, the awards are sponsored by Grant Thornton, Accountable Recruitment, Hill Dickinson and HSBC.

Philip Didlick, from Liverpool-headquartered OBG Pharmaceuticals, received the top accolade: Overall Finance Director of the year.

The award for FD of the Year 100m+ turnover was scooped by Michael Owen, FD at Warrington-based e-commerce and specialist distribution provider, The Delivery Group. 

Rising star, Emma Pickering, of Chester-based ITC Travel Group, took home the award for Finance Director of the Year Under 40.

She said: “People are thinking more about what they spend on their holidays. The market is changing all the time. We don’t sell online, because we want to offer something bespoke – something that’s different to what you can get anywhere else.”

Carl Williams, North West managing partner at Grant Thornton, said: “We’re blessed with some truly great companies with the potential for exponential growth in the North West.

“But for that potential to be realised, the FDS steering these businesses must display shrewd commercial acumen, bold ambition and an ability to make the tough decisions.

Full list of winners for the 2017 Finance Director of the Year Awards:

• Finance Director of the Year up to £6m: Stuart Chandler, Sentric Music
• Finance Director of the Year £6-20m: Mark Williams, Moneypenny
• Finance Director of the Year £20-50m: Andrew Allen, Colloids
• Finance Director of the Year £50-100m: Rob Laird, Uren Food Group
• Finance Director of the Year 100m+: Michael Owen The Delivery Group
• Finance Director of the Year Non-Profit: Linda McMullen – Everton in the Community
• Finance Director of the Year Commercial Excellence: Philip Didlick, OBG Pharmaceuticals
• Finance Director of the Year Under 40: Emma Pickering, ITC Travel Group
• Finance Director of the Year Liverpool City Region: Neil Smith, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust: Finance Director of the Year Warrington: David Meir, Eddie Stobart Logistics
• Finance Director of the Year North Wales: James Prince, Rhino Products
• Finance Director of the Year Cheshire: David Legg, EMS Group
• Overall Finance Director of the year: Philip Didlick, OBG Pharmaceuticals
• Special Recognition Award: Damian McDonald, Meadow Foods