The shortlists for the 2008 FDs’ Excellence Awards feature Britain’s most able finance directors, from a host of industries. One noteworthy name, as she’s the youngest FD among the forthcoming Real Business Hot 100, is Sarah Wood, FD at Simply Biz.

Wood, 38, helped to found Huddersfield-based Simply Biz, which provides compliance and business support to more than 5,000 IFAs across the country, in 2002. Simply Biz sales are soaring at 150-plus per cent per annum, ensuring that this young FD is kept on her toes.

The full shortlist for the FDs’ Excellence Awards, co-hosted by RealFD.net and the CBI, are:FTSE 100Andrew Higginson (Tesco)George Rose (BAE Systems)Ashley Almanza (BG Group)Paul Rayner (British American Tobacco)Hanif Lalani (BT Group)FTSE 250Robert Careless (Charter)Rick Medlock (Inmarsat)Neil Warner (Chloride)Paul Taylor (Aveva)Kevin Young (Mouchel)

Outside the FTSE 350Mike Timmins (Record)Trevor Norris (Arden Partners)Jill Collighan (2ergo)Bruce Morrison (Bond International)

Young FD of the yearAshley Almanza (BG Group)Paul Taylor (Aveva)Jill Collighan (2ergo)Sarah Wood (Simply Biz – Real Business entry)

The FDs’ Excellence Awards will be held on Tuesday April 15 at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square. For more information, email events@caspianpublishing.co.uk

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