Charmaine Vincent, the owner and CEO of Bristol-based specialist recruitment firm Baltimore Consulting, has won a prestigious national business award for her management skills.
Charmaine was named Small to Medium Sized Enterprise Director of the Year at the final of the IoD’s Director of the Year Awards.
Her success followed her victory in the same category in the regional awards earlier this year.
Charmaine was recognised for her impressive grasp of what is needed to build the company, singling out its strong management and governance skills.
She founded Baltimore Consulting, which specialising in recruitment in the public and third sector, in early 2013 and, with 19 years’ professional experience coupled with senior recruitment expertise spanning both the public and commercial sector, has driven strong growth year on year.
Drawing together heat winners from across all parts of the country, the grand final revealed the UK champions in categories ranging from Public Sector, Start-up, and Non-Executive Director to Large Business and Innovation.
Judges included UK Broadband managing director Rosalind Singleton and Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charities Commission. The awards ceremony was hosted by veteran broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald.
Charmaine said: “Winning SME Director of the Year is such a huge accolade for both myself and the rest of the business and I really couldn’t be prouder. Since our inception, Baltimore has always had a strong moral compass.
“Our shared set of values and collaborative family culture make leading from the front in this industry an absolute pleasure. Winning this award some 18 months on from completing a management buy-out is all the recognition we need. Caring about your people, working hard and always believing really does make the difference.”
First West of England managing director James Freeman, who won the top award of South West Director of the Year in the regional contest, was Highly Commended in the Large Business category in the national awards.
Institute of Directors director general Jonathan Geldart said: “I would like to congratulate all of our award winners, each of whom have shown dedication, ingenuity, and leadership, inspiring those around them.
“Better directors make for better businesses, which is to the benefit of the economy and society as a whole. The judges had a tough job on their hands picking the first among equals, with all of our finalists standing as beacons of excellence from every corner of the UK.
“It is undoubtedly a challenging time to be a director, making the achievements of our winners all the more impressive. The IoD is here to support leaders through the turbulence, but equally we think it is crucial to shine the spotlight on those who continue to raise the bar for British business despite the circumstances.”
Pictured: Charmaine Vincent, centre, collects her award from Sir Trevor McDonald
