Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP and specialist recruitment consultancy CMA Recruitment Group have again partnered to identify the most talented and high-achieving among those working in privately owned companies based in the Central South.

As a result, Vaughan Heard, Finance Director at Shaftesbury’s BV Dairy, has been named as one of the region’s top performing FDs after a nomination process involving CEOs, managing directors and the professional community.

‘At BV Dairy Vaughan provides astute analysis for the business.’ explained Jim Highnam, MD at BV Dairy. ‘He directs the internal financial and HR teams, as well as delving in to all parts of the operation to bring insightful analysis – and that is just what a manufacturing business needs. Looking externally, he assimilates a vast array of information from the wider economy and translates that into our language. The recent work on funding and grants has enabled the business to invest in the latest technology, whilst balancing the needs of all stakeholders.

Malcolm Thixton, Partner at BDO in Southampton comments ‘The role of the financial director is changing due to developments in technology and regulation and the need to diversify into new markets. When choosing our top ten we have considered their leadership skills, contributions to business growth and strategy and financial accountability as well as impact in the wider community.’

Richard Dibden, Commercial Director at CMA Recruitment Group ‘The quality of entries has been extremely high and they’ve come from a wide range of sectors. I’m looking forward to understanding more about their achievements as we meet with the finance directors over the coming weeks.’

The top ten FDs will now be interviewed before three finalists are selected. The Central South Mid Market FD of the Year will then be announced at a gala dinner on 22 May 2019.