McNicholl named UK Young Director of the Year by Institute of Directors
North East owner and MD wins national award
Stewart McNicholl, founder and managing director at ASKAMS, the Cramlington-based asbestos, water, fire, health and safety and environmental compliance services, has been named Young Director of the Year at the national Institute of Directors (IoD) Awards.
McNicholl beat off competition from 10 other UK-wide directors under the age of 42 to win Young Director of the Year, the only category in which all 33 judges unanimously agreed on the winner.
ASKAMS, rebranded in 2015 from AMS Asbestos Management Services, was founded and self-invested by McNicholl in 2006. Today it employs 55 people throughout offices in Cramlington, Edinburgh, Warrington, Leeds, Bristol, Caerphilly and Redruth, who service high profile contracts in the UK and overseas.
During the prestigious Director of the Year awards, McNicholl was commended by the judges for his staff engagement (ASKAMS has ensured all staff know, understand and buy into its strategy) and for his corporate social responsibility initiatives that include training programmes, sponsorships, community programmes and carbon offset initiatives.
Commenting on winning IoD Young Director of the Year, McNicholl said: “To receive this prestigious award is fantastic, but none of it would have been possible without the hard work and commitment of all ASKAM employees throughout the UK.
“Never in a million years did I envisage this happening when I started out, but I’m delighted to be flying the flag for North East business. I truly believe in a Northern Powerhouse and ability of the region’s companies to both attract investment and contribute to the UK economy.”
The Director of the Year awards took place at the London Lancaster Hotel, where the IoD recognised some of the country’s most inspiring and accomplished business leaders. More than 80 company directors were up for prizes in categories that also included Family Director of the Year and International Director of the Year.
Simon Walker, Director General at the Institute of Directors said: “Great businesses are made by great leaders, and it is fantastic to be able to reward some of the country’s finest companies and most inspiring directors at the Director of The Year Awards.
“As an organisation for business leaders, we know that good governance, and ethical and innovative leadership are the foundations of a successful company. The winners embody these principles, and display the hard-nosed business acumen and commercial drive needed to produce great products and world-leading services.”
Stewart was interviewed by Director Magazine follow the link for the interview ….LINK
To find out more about ASKAMS visit www.askams.co.uk or contact 0800 195 8415.