Sainsbury’s Darren Shapland named Britain’s top finance director

Shapland was named both “FTSE 100 FD of the Year” and “FDs’ FD of the Year” at a ceremony in London last night (Wednesday 13th May), hosted by Real Business and supported by the UK’s leading business organisation, the CBI.

“Darren has been central to the refocusing of Sainsbury’s”, said the FDs’ Academy, who chose him from an impressive shortlist of FTSE 100 finance directors that included Sushovan Hussain of Autonomy; René Médori of Anglo American; David Keens of Next; and Richard Pennycook of Morrisons.

Congratulating Shapland, Martin Broughton, CBI president, added: “The role of finance director is one of the most crucial to the success of any business at the best of times, whatever its size or sector.

“During a time of recession, we rely on the skills, dynamism and commitment of our finance directors more than ever. That is why the CBI is delighted to celebrate their achievements at the FDs’ Excellence Awards.”

Stephen Timms, financial secretary to the Treasury, delivered the keynote address, at the ceremony at the Marriott Grosvenor Square.

The individual winners in the FDs of the Year categories are:

• FDs’ FD of the Year: Darren Shapland, J Sainsbury• FTSE 100 FD of the Year: Darren Shapland, J Sainsbury• FTSE 250 FD of the Year: Eric Hutchinson, Spirent Communications• FD of the Year Outside the FTSE 350: Hugh Edmonds, Scotty Group• Young FD of the Year: Melissa Foux, Gu Puds

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