Now in their tenth year, the awards honoured a host of outstanding FDs and financial service providers, including Tim Score of semi-conductor and software design company, ARM Holdings PLC, who picked up the prestigious FTSE 100 FD of the Year Award.

Mark Hesketh, FD, UK and Europe, of savings and investments firm, Standard Life, won the Inspirational FD of the Year category and Andrew Langford of payment processing business, Global Payments, was presented with the Young FD of the Year Award.

John Cridland, CBI director-general, said: “As growth gathers momentum and demand picks up, businesses are increasing their investment activity so sound financial management will be even more critical. The CBI congratulates all those FD Excellence Award winners and nominees for the important contribution they are making to the wider UK economy.”

The awards also recognise those service providers, including accounting firms, banks, software firms and consultancies that were rated most highly by FDs from across the country. The winners are determined by the results of an annual Satisfaction Survey, completed by 1,300 finance decision-makers. 

This year saw Lloyds Bank scoop a double win as it was named Business Bank of the Year, and also celebrated its Birmingham-based Relationship Director, Ian Fitzjohn’s win of the Bank Manager of the Year Award.

Alexandra Charles walked away with the Recruitment Firm of the Year Award, while both Infor and SAP triumphed the Financial Software Vendor: Larger Clients category, Pegasus was named as the Financial Software Provider: SMEs of the Year victor.

ICAEW’s chief executive Michael Izza, said: “Looking at 2014’s winners, it is clear that being an outstanding financial director is not simply a case of managing numbers – it is the ability to lead, motivate and inspire others.

“All of our winners have these qualities in abundance and they are using their skills and experiences as a catalyst for success within their organisations. I hope their achievements will inspire the next generation of outstanding FDs.”

Amy Carroll, group editor, Real Business and Real Deals, added: “Over the past ten years, the FDs’ Excellence Awards have recognised many experienced and talented individuals and firms – and this year was no exception, with candidates of acute intelligence and muster. It is vital that the UK economy has a platform to praise those whom are actively raising the bar in their fields.”

Read the full shortlists. 

Full list of winners:

FTSE 100 FD of the year: Tim Score, ARM Holdings PLC

FTSE 250 FD of the Year: Joe Lister, The Unite Group PLC

Small Quoted FD of the Year: Jane Hall, The Innovation Group PLC

FD of the Future (supported by Ernst & Young): Tracy Waind, Hemingways Marketing Services

Private Company FD of the Year: Richard Gibson, SwiftKey

Young Company FD: Andrew Langford, Global Payments

Inspirational FD: Mark Hesketh, Standard Life

Recruiter Firm of the Year: Alexander Charles

Financial Software Vendor of the Year (Larger Company Users): Infor and SAP

Financial Software Vendor of the Year (SME Users): Pegasus

Business Bank of the Year: Lloyds Bank

Bank Manager of the Year: Ian Fitzjohn, Lloyds Bank
This award recognises an individual outstanding bank manager

Accountancy Firm of the Year (Larger Clients): Grant Thornton

Accountancy Firm of the Year (SME Clients): Haines Watts

Pensions Firm of the Year: Mercer