Business leaders across Gwent are being invited to enter the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2014.

The deadline for entry to the awards is approaching with nominations for outstanding and inspirational directors being accepted until Friday, January 31, and direct entries being accepted until Friday, February 28.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director of the IoD in Wales, said: “The awards praise business achievements across Wales and the calibre of our winners over the last four years has been outstanding.

“We celebrate those who are able to adapt and grow and for those that take the calculated risks and push the boundaries. Once again we are looking to champion success and we urge companies or individuals to apply or nominate inspired business leaders who stand out within their own sectors or business networks.

“Our awards bring all parts of the enterprise community together and focus UK-wide attention on Welsh success and I thank all our backers and commend them for having faith and belief in Wales’ enterprise sector.

Cardiff Business School is headline sponsor of the awards, which are also backed by Lloyds Bank, Jaguar, Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay, Legal & General, Academi Wales, Leadership & Management Wales, nPower, and ACCAl.

Welsh winners will be announced at a lunch on Friday, May 16, at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium.

Category winners from the regional awards will automatically be put forward for the IoD National awards which culminate in a gala ceremony in London in the autumn of 2014. Last year, seven Welsh finalists were shortlisted for National Awards.

The categories are: Director in a Medium / Large Business; Young Director of the Year; Director in a Small Business; Director in a Social Enterprise or charity; Director in the Public Sector ; Director in a Family Business; Director for Leadership in Corporate Responsibility; Talent & Innovation Award.

For more details visit www.iod.com.