Mark Samworth, a director at £1 billion-plus turnover Melton-based foods giant Samworth Brothers, collected the chairman’s award at the 2019 Institute of Directors (IoD) East Midlands Awards.
Mr Samworth was recognised for his role in the recent success of the fourth-generation family business, which employs more than 9,000 people and owns brands such as Ginsters, Soreen, the West Cornwall Pasty Co, and pork pie specialists Walker & Son and Dickinson & Morris.
It is a major supplier of sandwiches – so-called “food-to-go” – and ready meals and this month acquired a minority share in Higgidy, the £25 million turnover maker of posh quiches, frittatas and sausage rolls.
IoD regional chairman Garry Smith said: “Mark has played an integral part in ensuring that the Samworth Brothers business lives its values of quality, commitment to people and communities and excellence in customer service.
“Mark is a worthy winner of this prestigious award which recognises excellence and professionalism in the role of director.”
More than 150 guests attended the IoD East Midlands Director of the Year awards at , in Braunstone, Leicester.
Almost 50 of the region’s top and emerging directors and business leaders were finalists, and winners of the 12 categories will go forward to the IoD’s national finals in London on October 18.
The event was hosted by BBC East Midlands presenter Anne Davies.
Ron Lynch, IoD East Midlands regional director, said: “In a fast-paced and challenging business world it is great to see the effectiveness and entrepreneurial qualities of directors in the East Midlands.
“We have so many great businesses being run by excellent directors.”
The Institute of Directors is a non-party political organisation, founded in 1903, with around 30,000 members.
Membership includes directors from right across the business spectrum.
