Top marks

In October, the Institute of Directors’ Director of the Year finals, which are being held at the Royal Horticultural Halls near Westminster, will reveal if Vickie Brown, finance director at Distinction Doors, is the country’s top newly qualified director.

The winner of the Chartered Director Award will have demonstrated outstanding performances in their exams, and during the subsequent interview process.

“As a finance director and shareholder, the way I interact with my industry and our employees is of utmost importance,” Vickie said. “I have been fortunate enough to reach a stage in my career where the decisions I make drive our fiscal business to new heights; something I can now underpin with the approaches I have learned in my training.

“Our chief executive Andrew Fowlds is also a chartered director, and so the support I received from my colleagues has been unwavering. I am immensely proud of the personal reward that my efforts have already achieved, and if on October 18 this is magnified, I can’t ask for any more.

“I think it is vital we show our employees that directors are still interested in furthering their knowledge and contributing to a balanced boardroom.”