IoD Jersey Director of the Year Awards 2026

Gold Sponsor : Appleby
Silver Sponsor : Resolution IT
Large Business : Sure
SME Business : Natwest International
Innovation : Oak Group (Jersey) Limited
Aspiring : Tbc
Public Sector : Tbc
Third Sector : Tbc
Sustainability : Tbc
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion : Tbc
Non-Executive : Tbc

The IoD Director of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements of outstanding business leaders in our society. Hosted once a year, awards are given to those who excel in areas such as start-up/innovation, sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion, and more.

Open to all – whether you’re an executive, non-executive, partner or even a chief constable – we want to hear about the work you’re doing as a senior decision-maker to help build a better world through business.

You can either apply yourself or nominate someone else to recognise their achievements. Our online application process has been streamlined to make the question-and-answer format simpler, while still maintaining the rigorous qualifying criteria by which entrants are assessed and scored. However, this year you may only apply in one category, even if you are nominated in multiple categories.

Terms and conditions

FAQ

2026 Dates for the calendar:

Nominations Open - Monday, 8th September 2025 Nominations Close - Friday, 19th December 2025 (at 23:45)

Applications Open - Thursday, 16th October 2025 Applications Close - Tuesday, 27th January 2026 (at 23:45)

Judging: Thursday, 12th February 2026

Awards Dinner - Friday, 24th April 2026

Select an option below to start your own application or to nominate someone else. The IoD will contact those nominated to inform them and guide them to make an application.

Our external, dedicated panel of volunteer judges will scrupulously review each application multiple times to determine each category's Director of the Year, along with any highly commended applicants.

This year, the Jersey Director of the Year Awards will be reaching its grand finale at the RJA&HS; you'll be able to book your tickets via the link below when sales go live, later this year.

Make a nomination Apply Purchase tickets

RECOGNISING OUR CORE PRINCIPLES

Mindset

An ethical mindset and professional attitude shapes a leader’s behaviour and responses. An outstanding leader is aware of themselves and of others and performance oriented, providing the independent rigour required to help their board understand the business’s needs.

Knowledge

An effective leader has a thorough understanding of corporate governance, strategy and finance. They know how to apply their knowledge to build strong stakeholder relationships and achieve good organisational performance.

Skills

Outstanding leaders excel in a diverse range of skills to drive business success. As well as thinking strategically, they analyse information and make sound decisions. Their excellent communication skills underpin strong and influential leadership.

Large Business (over 100 employees)

This award recognises exceptional talent among leaders of Jersey’s major organisations. It looks for directors displaying courage and vision in decision-making to keep their business ahead of the competition and whose leadership is based on knowledge, skills and a strong ethical mindset.

Small/Medium Business (under 100 employees)

This award is designed to celebrate those directors working in a business that employs under 100 employees. This award will go to the business that can show outstanding initiative, boldness and imagination in enterprise, sustainability, as well as sound management practice, good corporate governance and commercial success.

Innovation (NEW category)

This award recognises directors that have achieved success through bringing an innovative or disruptive approach to their marketplace. These improvements may include but are not limited to improved commercial performance, operational effectiveness, and customer engagement.

Aspiring (NEW category)

This award recognises upcoming directors and entrepreneurs who are senior managers, have started to operate at director level or have set up their own business in the last three years. You should already demonstrate excellent innovation of thought, ability, ambition and vision, as well as a recognition of the importance of good corporate governance.

Public Sector

Leadership is critical to good public governance, including good planning, efficiency, transparency and accountability. This award is open to leaders of public services, including public agencies, national bodies and governmental departments.

Third Sector

Leadership in the voluntary sector is critical to good governance, including planning, efficiency, transparency and accountability. This award is open to directors whose organisations are charities, community organisations or social enterprises that do not generate profit for individuals.

Sustainability

This award is aimed at leaders who can demonstrate how they integrate the success and smooth running of their business with a strong sense of social responsibility and corporate values and is designed to recognise the most ethical, socially responsible or green business leaders in Jersey.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion within any business are key factors in determining organisational success. Over the years many organisations have worked hard to embrace diversity within their workplaces and create an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or cultural background or disability, can flourish and succeed.

Non-Executive

NED’s can bring exceptional value to any organisation; their role is to provide a creative contribution to the board by providing independent oversight and constructive challenge to the executive directors on a broad range of subjects. This award recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to the organisation’s strategy, impacted the financial success of the company, demonstrated high ethical standards and promoted the practice of good corporate governance.

Chair's Award

This award is the highest accolade in the Director of the Year Awards, recognising the personal imprint of Jersey’s most high-profile leaders on the culture and success of their organisations and the community through outstanding professionalism and the implementation of best practice in governance and leadership. The winner will be selected by the IoD Jersey national chair.