Tony’s words highlight how while the awards might recognise the success of an individual, they are showcasing the achievements of the whole organisation and indeed, the excellence of our Island’s leaders. That year, seven of our Jersey winning directors went through to the shortlist of the UK finals, with Tom Hacquoil of Pinpoint, winning Director of the Year-Start-up. A tremendous advertisement for the quality of our island’s leaders and something which we can all be very proud of.
Last year we were forced to scale-back our awards as everyone dealt with the arrival of the pandemic; but this year we are back with an expanded ten categories and looking forward to the black-tie awards ceremony at the Royal Yacht on Friday, September 17th. We are also delighted that our long-term headline/gold sponsors, Appleby, will once again be supporting the Awards.
I’m particularly pleased to announce that this year we are going to be recognising family business directors, as well as leaders in sustainability and equality, diversity & inclusion. These three award categories represent core values which are at the heart of not just IoD Jersey, but our Island. The awards don’t just showcase those who help bring prosperity to the economy in Jersey, but social benefit to us all. The last year has been tough for many of our local organisations, but it has also shown the critical importance of leadership and leaders who inspire their staff to pull together and overcome adversity as a team. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), are all fundamental to that spirit.
We are facing some very challenging years ahead from the impact of global warming and the dire need to alter our behaviours to prevent the catastrophic effects on our climate. Like EDI, Sustainability has to come from the top to be effectively driven through the core of an organisation. I am looking forward to seeing those who will make up the short list of this category, which really is going to recognise those who are laying the foundations for all our futures.
Jersey has always prided itself on the myriad of unique family businesses that help form the character of our local economy and society. It will be a real pleasure to celebrate these organisations with their own award category.
After such a tough year, I truly believe that the awards are more important than they’ve ever been. It is our chance to recognise those who rose to the challenge of the pandemic and came out on top. Did your CEO or head of organisation show dedication, resilience, and creativity in tackling the threats while also grasping opportunities? And did they bring the team with them, ensuring everyone was able to contribute and be heard at a time of huge personal as well as economic and practical challenges? If so, I hope that you will nominate them in one of our ten categories.
The full list of categories are:
Large Business
SME Business
Family Business
Start-up
Third Sector
Public Sector
Young
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Sustainability
Non-Executive
We have a fantastic volunteer team who will be putting these awards together and I am very grateful to them for their help and assistance. Zoë Wauton, Branch Officer, Sandy Moretta, Chair of our Events sub-committee, Natasha Egré Chair of our PR and Marketing sub-committee, Yvonne Corbin, Vice Chair of our PR and Marketing team. In addition, Richard Tribe, a very experienced private client wealth professional, who was a director of Coutts & Co for many years before being appointed Head of Business Development-Europe for the Equiom Group until towards the end of last year and who is kindly leading on the sponsorships for the awards.
Over the coming Wednesdays in the JEP, we will focus on each of our categories individually, as well as looking at the judges who will have the tough decision of choosing a winner.
The IoD Jersey team and I hope to see the nominations flooding in over the next few weeks. You have until Friday, 4 June to do so and you can either nominate yourself and/or others by clicking on “Awards” on the www.IoD.je website. After a challenging and exceptional 18 months for all concerned, the IoD Jersey team and I look forward very much to celebrating innovative, inspiring leaders as we look to take Jersey forward post the pandemic.