Smallfry boss is among the big fish

Warwickshire-based Steve May-Russell was among the winners at the recent Institute of Directors' West Midlands Director of the Year Awards.

At a celebration breakfast attended by more than 200 business leaders at the Edgbaston home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Steve collected the Director of the Year award in the Small Business category.

Steve, managing director of Wolston-based Smallfry, is a highly-respected figure, locally and nationally, for his sustained contribution to the British design industry spread over 30 years.

The full list of winners at the IoD West Midlands Director of the Year awards is: Brian Hall of BHSF Employee Benefits Limited (West Midlands Director of the Year): Steve May-Russell of Smallfry (Director of the Year, small business category): Dan Thombs of Comau (Director of the Year, large business category): Philip Mayling of MKG Foods (Family Director of the Year): Dean Kavanagh of Geotech UK (Young Director of the Year): Martin Gower (Public Sector Director of the Year): Guy Mucklow of Postcode Anywhere (Corporate Social Responsibility).

The Not for Profit award went to Lee Hendon of The Jaffray Care Group, a fitting reward for a 27-year career in nursing which now sees her lead an organisation that makes a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable adults and those with learning difficulties across the region.