Five of the UK's Most Successful CEOs Revealed as Leader of the Year Finalists

LONDON, September 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

* Vote for your favourite at http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk *

* Winner to be revealed at the gala dinner and award ceremony on 12 November 2013 *

Five of the UK's business leaders have been nominated and shortlisted for the Leader of the Year Award at this year's National Business Awards. Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express, Richard Cousins, CEO of Compass Group, Harriet Green, CEO of Thomas Cook, Valerie Soranno Keating, CEO of Barclaycard and Mike Tobin, CEO of TelecityGroup are all in the running to take home the prestigious award.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130930/642948 )

The winner will be chosen by a combination of a public vote and a peer ballot of around 40 CEOs and business thought leaders. These judges include well-known industry names such as: Kanya King, CEO of the MOBO Organisation, Anthony Salz, Executive Vice-Chairman, NM Rothschild, Baroness Virginia Bottomley of Nettlestone, and Joe Lynam, the BBC's Business Economics Correspondent. They will meet on 31 October to view video interviews of each candidate and vote for their favourite. Members of the public can vote by visiting http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/leader2013 and choosing their preferred candidate online. The winner will be revealed on 12 November at the Award ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane.  

The Leader of the Year Award recognises the personal imprint of the UK's most high profile leaders on the culture and success of their organisations and the industries they operate in. Judges look at how these leaders have demonstrated the best balance between traditional board values and the new business environment - achieving measured and sustainable growth or driving improved performance. When considering the finalists' achievements judges consider aspects including robust strategies, staff engagement, financial performance, customer insight and collaboration.

Alex Evans, Programme Director of the National Business Awards, said: "Reflecting the diversity of organisations recognised by the National Business Awards each year, these finalists are champions of their respective industries - transforming culture and performance against a challenging economic backdrop. They have all demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities in the successful execution of their strategic vision."

Dame Helen Alexander, Chair of judges for the National Business Awards, said: "The five finalists show outstanding qualities as leaders, with each having achieved something exceptional in their fields. Their leadership styles differ, so it's interesting to see how they all achieve such significant results. Congratulations and good luck."

Previous winners of the award include Peter Marks, CEO of the Cooperative Group (2009), Martin McCourt, Former CEO Dyson (2010), Ruby McGregor-Smith, CEO MITIE Group (2011) and last year's winner, Phil Smith, CEO of Cisco UK & Ireland (2012).

Over 150 of Britain's leading businesses, business leaders and social enterprises have recently been revealed as finalists for the 2013 National Business Awards. The finalists represent categories including the Croner Employer of the Year, the Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year, Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year and the QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year.

Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for a full list of all finalists and to book a table at the event.

The National Business Awards supports the Prince's Trust, a charity that offers practical and financial support to young people who need it.

About the National Business Awards
Open to organisations of all sizes from all sectors across the UK, the National Business Awards is the UK's most prestigious independent business recognition platform with its particular emphasis on excellence, innovation and ethical business. Now in its twelfth year, the National Business Awards connects the nations' professionals through its annual awards ceremony; year-round thought leadership and round table events; and is UBM plc's flagship awards programme. Visit http://www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk for further information or follow us on Twitter @businessawards.

The full list of categories includes -

The Daily Telegraph Award for a Decade of Excellence in Business
The New Business of the Year
The BlackBerry Business Enabler of the Year
The Smith & Williamson Entrepreneur of the Year
The International Growth Business of the Year
The Digital Business of the Year
The Customer Focus Award
The ICAEW Sustainable Business Award
The Leadership Diversity Award
The Social Enterprise of the Year
The Innovation Award
The Growth Business of the Year
The QBE FTSE 100 Business of the Year
The Corporate Citizenship Award
The Croner Employer of the Year
The Santander Small to Medium-Sized Business of the Year
The Leader of the Year

About UBM Awards & Partnerships
UBM Awards & Partnerships is part of one of the largest event companies in the world. They create, design and deliver Awards ceremonies that reach thousands of people globally across every sector. Their Awards publicly celebrate excellence, highlighting what is best, what is effective and what is valued.

For further information or interview opportunities contact:

Rachel Branigan
UBM Awards & Partnerships
Tel: +44(0)207-955-3843
Email: Rachel.branigan@ubm.com