The NSCG Interim Awards 2024 brought together a remarkable group of professionals, celebrating the invaluable contributions of interim executives across industries. It was a pleasure to welcome so many of my network to the Interim Drinks last week and to meet interims from various sectors within the NSCG community.
Awards season is in full swing, just weeks ago, Anora dominated the Oscars, and David Tennant delivered a stellar performance hosting the BAFTAs. Last Wednesday, we turned the spotlight onto an even more meaningful celebration: the NSCG Interim Awards 2024. Here, there are no controversies, just well-earned recognition for outstanding achievements in interim management.
The Importance of the Interim Awards
The decision to host the NSCG Interim Awards again this year was an easy one. When Doug and Gavin asked me to lead the initiative, I was delighted. Hearing the inspiring success stories that emerged—ranging from projects in Saudi Arabia to Southampton—was truly rewarding.
Interim executives play a critical yet often unsung role in business transformation. Many assignments are highly confidential, and interims are so focused on delivery that there’s little time to step back and showcase their impact. However, recognition matters.
Through this year’s awards, we received nominations from a diverse range of sectors, including public services, private enterprises, and social housing. The entries spanned industries from hospitals to hotels, gaming startups in the desert to FTSE 100 companies in London, and covered a wide spectrum of functions—Finance, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology, Commercial, and even CEO and MD positions.
Our Esteemed Judges
A heartfelt thank you to our exceptional cross-industry panel of judges, who dedicated their time and expertise to reviewing the nominations:
- Caroline Angell, Interim HR Director, Sainsbury’s
- David Bellis, Operating Partner, BGF Private Equity House
- Natalie Seago, HR Director, DD Group
- Sarah Simpson, CEO, Caudwell Marine
- Tunde Hinton, Founder, Connex Leadership Networks
Their insights and deliberations ensured that the most impactful stories of interim excellence were recognised. Now, without further ado, here are the winners of the NSCG Interim Awards 2024.
Award Winners
Best Business Transformation
Winner: Dave Knight, Interim Managing Director, Bristol Waste Company
Shortlisted: Chris Wood (Vivid Homes), Andy Watson (University Hospital Southampton), Ben Mein (24i Media)
The panel praised Dave’s transformative work over a 17-month period, highlighting his ability to drive both commercial success and cultural change within the organization. His use of inclusive language in his nomination reflected a strong team ethos and leadership approach.
Best Commercial Contribution
Winner: Lee Wheeler, Interim Partner, Riverside Group
Shortlisted: David Pagliari (NEOM), Zoe Farmer (Warner Hotels)
Lee’s structured and results-driven approach stood out to the judges. He successfully mitigated significant risks while delivering tangible, measurable commercial outcomes that contributed to long-term success.
Best Newcomer
Winner: Paul Coleman, Interim Sales Director, DD Group
Shortlisted: Steve Watson (Aquest), Martin Chown (Landsec)
Paul’s nomination was praised for its commercial depth and well-rounded impact. He demonstrated a thorough understanding of his client’s operating model, effectively managing a complex assignment with multiple workstreams and a broad remit.
Operational Excellence
Winner: Mark Chalmers, Interim Logistics Director, BMI Group
Shortlisted: Alistair Charatan (DD Group), Ashley Bryant (Hammersmith & Fulham)
Mark’s nomination stood out for the scale and complexity of his role. His work demonstrated a strong track record, and the judges particularly appreciated the structured storytelling approach that helped illustrate the context and impact of his contributions.
Change Leader of the Year
Winner: Ashley Bryant, Interim Director of Resident Services, Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Shortlisted: Rob Flanagan, Jonathan Corns (Flotech Water Solutions)
Ashley’s success was achieved in a challenging environment, and her nomination made it clear that she fostered a culture of continuous improvement. Her people-first approach and customer-centric mindset resonated strongly with the judges.
Long-Term Achievement
Winner: Bruce Rayner
Shortlisted: Helen Carter, Phil Seath
The judges debated this category extensively but ultimately awarded Bruce for his extraordinary career across multiple sectors, including Private Equity, Charity, and Technology. His international experience and ability to simplify complex challenges left a lasting legacy at every organization he worked with.
Looking Ahead to 2025
A huge congratulations to all our winners and shortlisted nominees! The NSCG Interim Awards celebrate the incredible work being done across the interim industry, and we hope to see even more outstanding nominations for the 2025 Awards later this year.
We encourage interims from all backgrounds, whether working through NSCG, other providers, or independent networks, to submit their success stories. The market in 2024 has been challenging, but as it recovers, we look forward to hearing about the impact you continue to make.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s awards. Here’s to another year of excellence in interim management!