A PONTYPOOL solicitor has been named as a finalist in the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2012.

Managing partner of Pontypool-based Watkins & Gunn Solicitors Clive Thomas is a finalist in the South Wales Director of a Small Business category, and now goes forward to the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards lunch, where the very best in Welsh business will be celebrated.

The ceremony will be held at the Swalec Stadium on Thursday, May 17.

Simon Walker, director general, IoD and Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, AM, first minister of Wales, will address guests and finalists before the winners are announced.

Mr Thomas said: ā€œIā€™m honoured to have been selected as a finalist in these prestigious awards. Our success as a firm has been very much a team effort and I have been very fortunate to have such superb business partners as Jonathan, Sophie and Sarah.ā€