The IoD Director of the Year 2014 – 15 took place at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast on the 5th December 2014. The event showcases the pool of high calibre leaders that Northern Ireland possesses and recognises those who excel in their area. Simon Hunter C Dir. CEO of Hunter Apparel, was nominated for recognition in the fields of ‘Family Business Director of the Year’ and ‘SME Director of the Year’.
Simon proceeded to win the accolade of ‘Family Business Director of the Year’ for the second occasion, receiving the award for the first time in 2012. Paul Terrington, Chairman of the IoD Northern Ireland Division stated that “The IoD’s Director of the Year Awards were created to recognise the achievements of leaders, risk takers and high achievers, to highlight the fact that great organisations need great leadership. In big corporates, small businesses, the public sector or third sector, the difference between success and failure is leadership”.
Simon has now been entered into the UK Director of the Year finals to be held in late 2015 and was also nominated for the IoD Lunn’s Award of Excellence which was presented at the IoD Annual Dinner in February 2015. Pictured below (from left to right) is Maybeth Shaw of category sponsors BDO, Simon Hunter, Hunter Apparel Solutions, being presented with his award and comedian & actor Tim McGarry.
The judges on the day said “Simon has led a programme of change that is a wonderful example of the successful implementation of a Strategic Family Business Plan. He has identified each of the salient management imperatives that are specific to a family business and is in the process of establishing a much stronger foundation from which to drive future growth”.