Scott Liddle, director of operations (technical) for one of the UK’s leading multi-specialist recruitment agencies, Newport head-quartered Acorn, has been named a finalist in Wales’ long-established and only dedicated leadership awards.

The Leading Wales Awards, in association with Cardiff Metropolitan University, are now in their 12th year of celebrating individuals whose leadership is making a real difference in Wales and contributing to developing prosperity.

Scott has been nominated in the ‘Leadership in the Private Sector’ category for his leadership role at Acorn and is one of three finalists in the category.

Working in the steel industry since he was 16, Scott is highly regarded at Acorn and since joining the company in 2004; he has led and directly managed a number of key areas of the business; latterly joining the UK management board of Acorn, which operates from nearly 40 offices across the UK and Australia, placing some 6,500 people into work each week, with a turnover of £115m

Matt Southall, group managing director for Acorn, said: “Scott is a pleasure to work alongside and has a developed a profile internationally as a superb leader and businessman.

“Since joining Acorn, he has developed a number of our core recruitment areas, including our booming IT & Digital Division, Acorn Global and our Australian subsidiary, Synaco.

"With his engineering background Scott has also taken Acorn’s construction and technical divisions on an incredible journey, increasing their turnover by a remarkable 800 per cent over ten years.

“I know I speak on behalf of all those in the team here when I say Scott is an exceptional leader in every sense of the word and it’s no surprise at all that his contribution has been recognised in this way.”

Barbara Chidgey, chair of the Leading Wales Awards, said: “As usual, we have a really eclectic mix of leaders and exemplar of leadership across all sectors in Wales for this year’s shortlist. It’s been a privilege to read so many fascinating stories of leadership making a real difference within a business, organisation or community project.

“We really do appreciate the time and commitment given by everyone who submitted a nomination. We look forward to the Awards Lunch and Ceremony in June when we can properly celebrate our 'Leaders in Wales'.

Other nominees include: in the Leadership in the Voluntary & Not For Profit Sector category - Dr Sabine Maguire (founder, former chair and trustee), Sparkle – South Gwent Children’s Foundation.

The Leading Wales Awards is driven forward by a consortium of organisations that passionately believe that good leadership is the key driver to economic success in Wales. The members include Newport-based Harding Evans Solicitors.