2024 Awards

A dynamic individual who operates at the core of the executive team in which they serve. Highly strategic and with deep judgement and influence, this person is known for their business acumen, strong results and inspiring leadership.

A Young (up to 40) dynamic individual who operates at the core of the executive team in which they serve. Highly strategic and with deep judgement and influence, this person is known for their business acumen, strong results and inspiring leadership.

The winner will embody the financial excellence required in such a pivotal role. Either qualified or non-qualified, they will expertly lead their team, bringing insightful financial information which will help their management team make complex business decisions.

An accountant (qualified and non qualified) who has delivered financial information which adds value to their organisation. Insightful and with strong judgement, this individual will have proven examples of contributing to business decisions and future success.

A finance apprentice should be working towards a structured training programme within the field of finance, in order to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to support the finance function within their organisation. Finance apprentices will be undergoing formal qualifications that provide an element of classroom teaching and on-the-job training and can be studying at any level and with any Awarding organisation.


The Finance Apprentice of the Year Award will recognise the exceptional contribution the apprentice has made to the success and growth of their organisation. The award celebrates individuals who have displayed a commitment to learning, support of their colleagues and a strong work ethic translating to a positive effect on their organisation.

1.Commitment to Learning:

- Demonstrated Progress: Showcase a clear trajectory of personal and professional development throughout the apprenticeship, highlighting key milestones, achievements, and the acquisition of new skills.

- Continuous Learning: Illustrate a proactive approach to ongoing learning, including participation in training programmes, pursuit of professional qualifications, and engagement with industry updates.

2. Contribution to the Organisation:

- Impactful Contributions: Provide examples of how the apprentice's work has positively influenced the finance function or contributed to the overall success of the organisation.

- Initiative and Innovation: Highlight instances where the apprentice has demonstrated initiative, creativity, and innovation in their role, contributing to the improvement of financial processes or the introduction of new ideas.

3. Work Ethic and Professionalism:

- Reliability and Consistency: Demonstrate the apprentice's reliability and consistency in meeting deadlines, fulfilling responsibilities, and maintaining a high standard of work.

- Professional Conduct: Showcase instances where the apprentice has exhibited professionalism, integrity, and a strong work ethic in their interactions with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.

4. Leadership Potential:

- Team Collaboration: Illustrate instances where the apprentice has effectively collaborated with team members, contributing to a positive team dynamic.

- Leadership Initiative: Showcase any leadership initiatives taken by the apprentice, such as mentoring colleagues, leading projects, or taking on additional responsibilities.

5. Adaptability and Problem-Solving:

- Adaptability to Change: Highlight the apprentice's ability to adapt to changes in the workplace or industry, showcasing resilience and flexibility.

- Problem-Solving Skills: Provide examples of how the apprentice has successfully addressed challenges or solved problems within their role, demonstrating analytical and critical thinking abilities.

6. Demonstration of Core Financial Competencies:

- Financial Acumen: Provide evidence of the apprentice's understanding and application of core financial concepts relevant to their role.

- Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Highlight instances where the apprentice has demonstrated a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial tasks.

This award will go to a part/non-qualified or actively studying accountant who has played a key support role to a more senior accountant. A vital and valued team member who shows promise for the future.

With 18 months or less experience in the role, this person will have made a deep impact in their business, demonstrating unique expertise and flair and showing promising results for the future.

A team who has proven experience of working together in advancing the success of the business they represent. Brimming with financial expertise, they are collegiate, experts in their field and are recognised by their colleagues as critical to the business they support.

A team who has proven experience of working together in advancing the success of the business they represent. Brimming with financial expertise, they are collegiate, experts in their field and are recognised by their colleagues as critical to the business they support.

This award is open to independent firms that are based in Wales. The winning firm will need to show how the services it has provided have been fundamental in enabling their clients to achieve their business goals as well as being able to demonstrate the following: Demonstrable appreciation or recognition by clients, Client initiatives that you feel have set the firm apart from the rest, Contribution to the business community, Recognition received from other firms. Please also inform us of anything else that you feel is particularly noteworthy, that is not covered in the above criteria.

This award will go to an individual or team who have shown all the qualities required for running an efficient payroll. Excellent problem solving and organisational skills, great attention to detail and strong communication skills.

The finance project of the year award will celebrate a financial project that was concluded between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022.
The judges will be looking for a project that may include the following:

- M&A transaction
- Financing
- Restructuring
- System implementation
- Corporate/Strategic Deal (transaction must be a corporate acquisition or divestiture)
- Private Equity Deal (must be a private equity acquisition or private equity sale)

Please give as much detail on why your project should be the Project of the year

The Public Sector Finance Team award will recognise the finance team (three or more people) working for a public sector body (Central Government, Welsh Councils, police, fire, housing, local transport authorities, NHS, public bodies and voluntary bodies) that has had the most impact on organisational performance, business partners and/or client groups, and has made an outstanding contribution to building a transparent, innovative, sustainable and collaborative working environment.

The winning team will need to demonstrate proactive professional development within a challenging environment and a step change in outcomes.

Entrants should demonstrate:

- Team background: This will include how the team is built, maintained and developed.

- Teamwork: Outline any challenges faced and how the team demonstrated collaboration, creativity, and flexibility to overcome them.

- Impact: Summarise the contribution and achievements of the team, outlining how the work demonstrated the importance of high-quality financial
advice and the contribution to the growth of the organisation.

Entrants for the ESG Excellence Award are encouraged to present a compelling narrative supported by tangible evidence, metrics, and examples that showcase their organization's commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and strong governance within the finance sector.

The ESG Excellence Award recognizes outstanding achievements in Environmental, Social, and Governance practices within the finance sector. Entrants for this award should demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and social responsibility, contributing to positive impacts on both the industry and the wider community.

• Paul Williams – Commodore Finance

• Kevin Evans – Recolution Group

• Jonathan Strange – Celtic Vaccum

• Holly Arnold – Celsa Steel

• Charlotte Mancuso – Finboot

• Katherine Bowen – Target Group

• Holly Arnold – Celsa Steel

• Andrew Glennon – Novomatic UK

• Yoanna Adaneva – Recolution Group

• Amanda Burton – Tiny Rebel

• Katie Hawker – CatSci

• Sophie Harris – Companies House

• Gareth Button – Celsa Steel

• Emma Owen Davies - Barford Owen Davies

• Sean Meredith - Cadre Advisory

• Kris Corbisiero - eAccounts Limited

• Thomas James - Monmouthshire Building Society

• Sarah Wynne - Wynne & Co

• Sophie Harris - Companies House

• Matthew Jones – LimestoneGrey

• Natalie Lewis-Evans – Mazuma

• Leanna Stevenson – Dezrez Legal

• Tomos Rees – Coleg Sir Gar/Clay Shaw Butler

• Jed Lewis – Transport for Wales

• Alex Leyland – Celsa Steel

• Muhammed Iqbal – Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

• Susanna Turner – Intellectual Property Office

• Daniel Sayce – CEM Days 

• Sandra Davies – Barford Owen Davies

• David Alford – Merit Engineering

• Aled Burd – Magenta Financial Planning

• Michael Pearce – Transport for Wales

• Sophie Harris – Companies House

• David Alford – Merit Engineering

• Beesure

• Celtic Vacuum

• Sanctuary Financial Planning

• eAccounts Limited

• Companies House

• South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

• Celsa Manufacturing

• IG Lintels

• Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

• Barford Owen Davies

• eAccounts Limited

• Wynne & Co

• LimestoneGrey

• Kay Augustus – Augustus Payroll Services

• Abigail Gillison – CatSci

• Lisa Thomas – SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK

• Bluestone Resorts

• Burns Pet Nutrition

• Character.com

• Companies House

• Companies House

• Transport for Wales

• Health Education & Improvement Wales

• CatSci

• Voltric

• Transport for Wales