INSIGHTS / News

Nick Sturge, director of SETsquared’s Bristol centre has been shortlisted for the Institute of Directors (IoD) South West Director Awards.

 

Nick, also co –founder of the enterprise hub Engine Shed, is one of just seven leading Bristol business leaders up for the honour. He has been shortlisted for Public Sector Director of the Year alongside Julia Clarke, who heads up Bristol Community Health.

 

Nick is Director of the Science Research Foundation, owned by the University of Bristol and the organisation behind both the Engine Shed enterprise hub in Temple Meads and the business incubator SETsquared. If he is successful in his category, he will go forward for a chance to be a national award winner, judged against all the other regional finalists.

 

Nick said:  “It really is an honour to be shortlisted alongside such strong candidates, who are all doing great work for the regional business landscape and economy. The importance of high quality directors on effective boards to organisations’ growth is something we extoll to our SETsquared members on a daily basis. I am very much looking forward to the awards, which strengthen that message, and to celebrating business excellence in the South West.”

 

IoD South West chairman Richard Ayre said: “The standard of entries was extremely high this year, confirming that there is a huge amount to celebrate within our region’s enterprise community.

 

“We have seen a real surge in optimism in the past 12 months as we have emerged from a challenging period into one which is once again seeing growth and buoyancy.

 

‘It’s great to celebrate the best in leadership in this region and wonderful to then see our winners compete with the UK’s best for national honours.”

 

The South West’s IoD Director of the Year Awards 2014 seek to highlight outstanding business people.

 

They aim to celebrate achievements across the region, bring all parts of the enterprise community together and focus UK-wide attention on South West success.

 

Last year, University of Exeter student Selin Yigitbasi went on to take the title of national Student of the year, beating five other regional finalists.

 

A panel of experts will judge SW entries and the winners will be announced at the region’s annual celebration event on Thursday, June 12, at Bristol’s Paintworks, sponsored by Jaguar.