A crowd of 400 people were at the London Marriot Grosvenor Square last night to witness the crowning of the winners of this year's Real FD/CBI FDs' Excellence Awards.

Guest speakers at the awards ceremony included Yvette Cooper, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and CBI Director-General Richard Lambert, who described the Awards as "recognition of the invaluable contribution of the UK's finance directors".

The FDs' Excellence Awards comprise two sets of awards.

The first lot of trophies are given to the principal suppliers of services to finance directors. They are awarded as the result of a nationwide survey of FDs. The winners are the companies that secure the highest level of ratings for criteria such as customer service and product excellence.

The FDs' Awards are given to individual finance directors for their performance and contribution to their company. In partnership with Jordans, companies are analysed on key metrics such a working capital, return on capital employed and cash conversion efficiency. A panel of judges then chooses from a shortlist of candidates in each category.

AUDITOR of the Year (Big Four)

Tie: Ernst & Young and KPMG

AUDITOR of the Year (Outside the Big Four)

Highly Commended: Baker Tilly

Winner: Grant Thornton

Citation: “They have been very good overall, as they have been for a number of years now,” said one survey respondent. “They always respond quickly and authoritatively and add real value.”

FINANCIAL SOFTWARE PROVIDER of the Year

Highly Commended: Access Accounting

Winner: Exchequer (Iris Accounting & Business Solutions)

Citation: “This is our second time that we have implemented Exchequer,” said one respondent. “We would definitely use them for a third and a fourth implementation. They’re approachable, responsive and always helpful.

MOST IMPROVED GOVERNMENT AGENCY of the Year

Winner: Companies House

FINANCIAL RECRUITMENT AGENCY of the Year

Highly Commended: Robert Half

Winner: Michael Page

ADVISORY FIRM of the Year

The firm named by Finance Directors as the one to make the most outstanding contribution to their business during the past year. The award goes to the firm with the great breadth and depth of citations from Finance Directors.

Winner: PricewaterhouseCoopers

BANK of the Year

The business bank rated by Finance Directors for the quality of service that it offers and for the extent to which the bank’s relationship managers understand their needs.

Highly Commended: HSBC

Winner: Lloyds TSB

FTSE 100 FD of the Year

Hanif Lalani, BT

Citation: “A consummate professional who is now really hitting his stride and making a considerable impact on the company.”

FTSE 250 FD of the Year

Paul Taylor, Aveva

Citation: “Impressive steering of a company that has reported strong increases in turnover and pre-tax profits”

OUTSIDE THE FTSE 350 FD of the Year

Mike Timmins, Record

Citation: “Any successful listing during the second half of 2007 deserves credit. It is a tough process to go through during strong positive markets but extremely challenging in the current environment.”

YOUNG FD of the Year

Sarah Wood, Simply Biz

Citation: “An FD is probably the most important senior position in a growing company as cost pressures and systems are paramount,” they said. “The success of the company shows what a strong performance Sarah has made.”

FDS' FD of the Year

The award goes to the FD from across the category shortlists who garnered the highest overall vote from the judges.

Paul Taylor, Aveva

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