Non-Executive Director Awards

"I am grateful for the recognition and the vote of confidence. I will do my best to keep deserving it. Special thanks to my fellow board members without whom this would not have been possible." - Hounaida Lasry-H

“The Non-Executive Director Awards recognise and celebrate a cohort of Board members who are often the unsung heroes, even workhorses, of our corporate world. They provide insight, experience and challenge across Boards and the Board committees, so not just the winners and the shortlisted nominees but all those who are nominated or proposed for consideration by the judges. And the Awards ceremony itself, in announcing awards for a small number of individuals, as representatives of this wider body, is an evening of recognition and celebration. It was a huge honour to receive the lifetime achievement award, which reflects as much on my many colleagues who have sat on the various Boards with me. My grateful thanks to the judges and to all the sponsors.” - Richard Meddings CBE

"I am deeply honoured to receive the Non-Executive Director of the Year award for the Not-For-Profit/Public Service Organisation Award. The event was truly wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It is gratifying to see the pivotal role that Non-Executive Directors play within organisations being recognised in this way and equally positive to see the strong representation of women in many of these roles. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all Non-Executive Directors who contribute significantly to the success of their teams and organisations." - DAME LINDA POLLARD DBE Hon LLD, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Last Thursday we celebrated and recognised the achievements of those who excel in British boardrooms. Take a full look at the 2025 Non-Executive Director Awards Results in the booklet below. #NEDAwards

Last Thursday's Non-Executive Director Awards delivered an extraordinary evening filled with excitement and celebration. Here's a glimpse of the memorable moments from the event. Congratulations to both the winners and nominees on their remarkable achievements. Thank you to our esteemed sponsors and partners: Alvarez & Marsal Audeliss Board Intelligence Board Agenda® CMS UK CBI (Confederation of British Industry) Cranfield School of Management Georgeson Non-Executive Directors' Association Peel Hunt Santander Corporate & Investment Banking The Sunday Times WB Directors UK We look forward to celebrating 20 years next year! #NEDAwards

The Times: “Boards are having to address numerous questions that are potentially material and disruptive arising from geopolitical shifts, tariffs and regulatory questions over DEI and ESG,” said Dame Ruth Cairnie DBE, chairwoman of the judges for the Non-Executive Director Awards. The UK market, meanwhile, continues to suffer from low valuations and an absence of animal spirits. A survey by the investment bank Peel Hunt, which organises the awards with support from The Sunday Times, found that 92 per cent of non-executive directors expected more takeover activity this year and 80 per cent thought their companies were more vulnerable to an approach than they were last year. Riffing on Harry Potter, Steven Fine, Peel Hunt’s chief executive, said boards were having to adopt “defence against the dark arts” strategies to protect themselves against acquisitive “dementors”. “Boards need the ability to tackle very intractable issues, and that really puts the emphasis on having quality NEDs,” Cairnie added. The NED Awards exist to recognise the valuable contribution that non-executives can make to a company’s success — and sometimes its survival. This year’s winners include Richard Meddings, the final chairman of NHS England, and Debbie Hewitt, chairwoman of Compare the Market owner BGL. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eSGF4jN7

Reflecting on an incredible night at the Non-Executive Director Awards last night!   The NED Awards, established by Peel Hunt in 2006, recognise the vital contributions that Non-Executive Directors make to the success of businesses and not-for-profit organisations across the UK. NEDs play a crucial role in shaping strategy and driving accountability, and Audeliss is thrilled to support these awards.   Audeliss were proud Judges and sponsors and a huge congratulations to Peter Ventress on his well-deserved win in the FTSE 100 Chair Category. Peter’s long-term vision and ethical leadership have driven exceptional growth and success at Howdens and Bunzl plc - a true testament to the impact of strong, values-driven leadership.   Congratulations to all the winners and nominees—it’s inspiring to see such incredible leadership being celebrated.   View the full List of winners here: https://lnkd.in/eHPBuU_G   ❤️ P.S. I’m crouching in one of the photos as the autocue was so low! 😂 #NEDAwards #Leadership #nonexecutivedirector #ExecutiveSearch #happyfriday

What a fantastic evening at the 19th annual Non-Executive Director Awards last night! 🎉 Congratulations to our deserving winners: FTSE 100 NED Winner: Jock Lennox, Barratt Redrow FTSE AIM Winner: Leslie-Ann Reed, ACA, Learning Technologies Group FTSE All Share Winner: Peter Hill CBE, Keller Group Lifetime Achievement Winner: Richard Meddings CBE Not-For-Profit/Public Service Organisation Winner: DAME LINDA POLLARD DBE Hon LLD, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Private/Private Equity Backed Winner: Debbie Hewitt MBE, Compare the Market FTSE 100 Chair Winner: Peter Ventress, Howden Joinery Group 'NED to Watch' Winner: Hounaida Lasry-H, Britvic View the full shortlist here: https://lnkd.in/e5WXW4SJ A huge thank you to all our sponsors: Alvarez & Marsal, Audeliss, Board Intelligence, CBI (Confederation of British Industry), CMS UK, Georgeson, and Santander Corporate & Investment Banking. Your support made this event possible. We also extend our gratitude to our partners: Board Agenda®, Non-Executive Directors' Association, and WB Directors UK. This event was proudly supported by The Sunday Times. 📸 Nick Morrish

Congratulations to Peter Hill CBE for winning the FTSE All Share Award! Under Peter's leadership, KELLER Group has seen exceptional growth and transformation. His commitment to best practice governance and strategic vision has set new financial records. Well done, Peter! #NEDAwards 

Honouring Richard Meddings CBE with the Lifetime Achievement award! Richard's dedication to public service and governance has left a lasting legacy across numerous organisations. His exceptional leadership and commitment to long-term strategic planning are truly inspiring. Congratulations, Richard! #NEDAwards