Ten regional business leaders were awarded a prestigious Institute of Directors (IoD) Director of the Year award last night at a sold-out ceremony in Manchester. Accolades went to the outstanding entrepreneurial individuals from throughout the region who each reflect the success of the business community thriving here in the North West.

Amongst the winners was GC Business Growth Hub’s Richard Jeffery, who scooped the award in the Public and Third Sector category.

After being presented his award by the BBC’s Dan Walker, Richard said, “it’s an honour to have won such an illustrious award. The quality of everyone nominated tonight really highlights how strong the region’s business community is.”

"This award is a great acknowledgement of all the hard work and success that everyone in GC Business Growth Hub along with all our partners, clients and supporters has achieved”.

The ten winners, who are listed in full below will go on to represent the North West at the national IoD awards final in London on the 18 October.

Claire Ebrey, the IoD’s Regional Director for the North West said: “This year’s entrants were truly outstanding and tonight is a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing pool of leadership talent that we have here in the region. We are extremely proud of all of our finalists. Establishing and running a business well is no mean feat, and doing that in a way that shines in our region, captures the imagination of other business leaders and exemplifies the highest standards for business practice, growth and innovation, is truly marvellous.

“All of our winners will go on to a national final in London later this year – I’m pretty confident that we will bring a lot of silverware back to the North West.”