M&S' Helen Weir scoops Business Finance Awards top prize

ONE OF THE UK’s most senior finance chiefs has scooped the top prize at the Business Finance Awards.

Helen Weir, who has served as finance director and CFO of some of the biggest British companies including her latest role at Marks & Spencer, was presented with the Outstanding Industry Contribution Award at a glittering ceremony in west London.

Financial Director head of editorial Kevin Reed, who handed the prize over to Helen, said: “Helen is smart, driven, energetic, quick-witted and humorous. Brave too – leaving retail for banking as she did. I am delighted that she has joined other key finance chiefs to receive the award, including Richard Pennycook, Andy Halford and David Keens.”

Strong growth in the share price of housebuilder Persimmon, and excellent future prospects, saw its FD Mike Killoran win the FTSE 100 FD of the Year accolade.

Other winners on the night included finance teams from the University of Edinburgh; Capital One Europe; and Simply Business.

Other FD awards went to Q Hotel’s Ian Goulding; Nostrum Group’s Neil Warman; and University of Huddersfield’s Andrew McConnell.

Online secretarial technology business Inform Direct fended over other big names to win Software Product of the Year.

Some 300 people attended the ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel.

The Awards are in their fourth year, and are organised by Financial Director – a Contentive brand.