This week sees the launch of the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards for 2015.

These have become an established highlight on the Welsh business calendar with the aim of celebrating business achievements across Wales; bringing all parts of the business community together, irrespective of size, region or age and highlighting the work of the Institute of Directors in Wales while focussing national attention on success.

We therefore ask you to consider whether you would like to nominate yourself or indeed would like to nominate a director in your organisation. Category winners from the regional awards are automatically forwarded for the IoD National awards which culminate in a gala ceremony in London in the autumn.

I am delighted that last year’s main sponsor, Cardiff Business School, has chosen to be our main sponsor for 2015 and I’m very grateful to Professor Martin Kitchener, Dean of the school, for his continued support.

The awards praise business achievements across Wales and the calibre of our winners over the last five years has been outstanding.

We celebrate those who are able to adapt and grow and for those who take the calculated risks and push the boundaries. We always aim to champion success and are urging companies or individuals to apply or nominate inspired business leaders who stand out within their own sectors or business networks.

We offer a full spectrum of categories to suit all Welsh companies and last year’s Gwent winners included James Norvill, from GD Environmental in Newport, who was named Young Director of the Year; Penny Brockman, finance director at Mountain Rescue who was named Social Enterprise Director of the Year; Judith Paget, deputy CEO then COO of Aneurin Bevan Health Board, who was awarded Public Sector Director of the Year; and Bob Clark, founder of Newport-based maple syrup manufacturer Clarks UK was named Director in a Family Business.

I was delighted that all were shortlisted for the UK-wide final and even more so that Penny Brockman was highly commended in her category alongside all-round award winner and fellow Welsh director James Taylor from SuperStars,

Keep an eye out for entry forms and further details, which will be available this week on www.iod.com The closing date for people to nominate outstanding and inspirational directors is February 13 and the deadline for direct entries is March 13, with winners announced at the awards lunch on Friday, May 15. It would be great to see you there.