Last night, Thursday 31st May, saw the region's accounting and finance stars praised for their achievements at the sixth Nigel Wright North East Accountancy Awards.

The black tie dinner which took place at Newcastle Marriott Hotel, Gosforth Park, was attended by 300 people from the region's finance and business community in a celebration of individual and team success in the financial sector.

Lisa Shaw, one half of Real Radio Breakfast with Gary and Lisa, hosted the awards, presenting one to each of the 12 deserving winners.·

• Finance Director of the Year - Martin Such, Quantum Pharmaceutical Limited
• Accountant of the Year - Paul Newton, Performance Horizon Group Limited
• New Accountant of the Year - Robert Ribchester, Ribchesters Chartered Accountants
• Tax Advisor of the Year - David Hammal, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Accounting Technician of the Year - Faye Wilson, Procter & Gamble
• Branch of the Year - KPMG LLP
• Corporate Finance Deal of the Year - PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Independent Firm of the Year - Evolution Business and Tax Advisors LLP
• Accounting & Finance Employer of the Year - Tait Walker  
• Business Finance Team of the Year - Lotte Chemical UK Ltd
• Public Sector Finance Team of the Year - BT South Tyneside

Paul Walker was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

Paul Wilson, of supporting sponsor Catalyst, was delighted with the event's success and its standing within the North East;

'Again, we’ve set new records on nomination numbers and the quality is plain to see too – fantastic.

In its sixth year, the event is getting stronger and stronger and whilst I’m sure this is due to growing awareness and credibility in the North East business community, I like to think that it’s also about an increasingly confident, forward thinking and cooperative profession adding more value in the workplace.

A big well done to the winners who show accountancy at its best.

'Mark Simpson, group executive director at Nigel Wright commented that it was reassuring that the region's finance community got behind the event this year, and in doing so proved that, despite difficult market conditions, individuals and teams in the region were still able to produce great results, going on to say that it is only right they are recognised for their efforts at an awards ceremony such as this.

‘Everyone enjoyed the evening, particularly those who took home an Award, well done to them all. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and we look forward to starting to plan for next year.’

Further details relating to the North East Accountancy Awards can be found at:www.accountancyawards.co.uk