They're at the top of their businesses and the top of their game.
A total of 11 directors from East Anglia were commended by a business membership organisation at a regional awards ceremony.
The Institute of Directors (IoD) East of England Director of the Year Awards took place at the Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket on Friday, celebrating leaders for professionalism, diligence and their influence on their employees.
For Suffolk, joint chief executive of the East of England Co-op Doug Field won CSR (corporate social responsibility) director of the year; Michelle Pollard, managing director of Spider Recruitment won SME director of the year; Laura Morrison of Your Telemarketing in Bury St Edmunds won innovation director of the year, and Tarnia Robertson of Ufford Park Woodbridge won family business director of the year.
Three Norwich directors secured awards: chief executive of Start-Rite Ian Watson, highly commended in the innovation director category; Sarah West, managing director of Full Mix Marketing, who won new director of the year; and CJC Procurement director Chris Cliffe, highly commended in the new director category – while Andrew Brammer, managing director of manufacturer PSS in North Walsham, won global director of the year.
In Essex there was recognition for Jane Gurney, chief executive of Essex and Herts Air Ambulance in Earls Colne, who won director of the year for a public/third sector organisation, with other companies in the county taking start-up director of the year and highly commended in the start-up category.
David Sales, regional IoD chairman for East of England and host of the awards, said: 'The East of England is home to many of the UK's most innovative, vibrant and successful organisations – led by some of our best directors. This year's winners are exceptional role models for our fabulous region.'
Simone Robinson, head of regional relationships, IoD East of England, said: 'All of the winners are singularly tenacious, driven, innovative and successful, and all of them share the desire to promote good governance, deliver strong and collaborative leadership, a consideration for corporate social responsibility, and a recognition of the role the team plays in the businesses achievements.'
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