Technical knowhow? Market reputation? Charisma? Are these the qualities that make a Finance Director of the year?
Not according to the FTSE 100 ‘FD of the Year’ shortlist, which have just been released for this year’s FD Excellence awards.
In fact, the common denominator is experience.
This year’s shortlist shows the benefits of a long-term horizon in a market often obsessed with short-term results: together, Stacey Cartwright (Burberry), Angus Cockburn (Aggreko), Robert Dyrbus (Imperial), Andrew Griffith (BskyB), David Keens (Next) and Andrew Shilston (Rolls-Royce – he served the whole of 2011 before retiring in January) have a collective 69 years of service as FD or CFO.
That’s an average of more than 11 years – compared to the mean for all FTSE 100 FDs of five and a half years. Is it conclusive proof that experience delivers results?
This is one of the questions under discussion during FDs ‘Raise Your Voice’ Day which takes place today. Across a range of social media, UK finance directors and senior financial decision-makers will make their voice heard on a range of issues. See #FDVoice or Real Business to get involved in the debate.
There is also still a chance to put forward yourself or a member of your team for other categories such as FD of the Future. Winners will be announced on May 24 at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. The nomination page is here.