Newport-based Penny Brockman, financial director of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, was highly commended in the Public / Third Director of the Year category at the Institute of Directors’ annual Director of the Year Awards Finals.

She was among more than 60 directors from across the UK who attended the event in London.

Penarth director James Taylor, founder and CEO of SuperStars, was been named both Director of the Year and Young Director of the Year and the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was won by veteran entrepreneur, Richard Branson, in recognition of his extraordinary achievements over nearly half a century in business.

A total of nine directors represented Wales at the awards, which recognise and celebrate some of the nation’s most impressive business leaders, with nominees coming from a range of industries, sectors and backgrounds.

The high-calibre entrants have all made outstanding contributions in their fields, and the overall winners were announced at the Lancaster London hotel on Friday.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, IOD Wales director, said: “These were our most successful awards yet with a category winner, two highly commended Welsh directors and an overall Welsh winner – it has been a fantastic afternoon.

“I’m thrilled that Wales triumphed with the overall Director of the Year winner. I am very proud of our Welsh directors – all those who were shortlisted are amazing individuals.

The other Wales highly commended director was Shane Bissett, Director of Bullion, Commemorative Coin and Medals at The Royal Mint, Llantrisant.

Other local shortlisted directors included Andrew Diplock, managing director, UES Energy Limited, Caerphilly, (Director of the Year in an SME); James Norvill, GD Environmental, Newport and Llanelli, (Young Director of the Year); and Bob Clark, Managing Director, Clarks UK Ltd, Newport (Family Business Director of the Year).