A company chair whose track record was described as “not just exceptional, but outrageous” has been anointed the FTSE 100’s top non-executive director.

Paul Walker was among seven winners spotlighted at the 2024 Non-Executive Director Awards, organised by Peel Hunt and supported by The Sunday Times. Among the laurels were awards for former BBC news producer and PR guru Salma Shah, who took the Dame Helen Alexander ‘NED to Watch’ award for her work at Mitie Group.

The judges said that financial performance and an “enviable track record” were key to Paul Walker’s award for leading one of the UK’s top one hundred corporates, data company RELX.

“Under Paul’s stewardship, the share price has almost doubled and total shareholder returns are just under 90%, helping to make the stock the best performing FTSE 100 company over the past decade,” judges said.

Shah’s background in journalism and PR brought a “unique perspective to Mitie’s board,” according to the judging panel, chaired by Ruth Cairnie. Shah was nominated by the company’s chief executive, Phil Bentley, who highlighted her “deep intellect and confidence in challenging”.

Another winner was Colin Day, group chair of Premier Foods—makers of household favourites such as Cadbury chocolate, Bird’s custard and Bisto gravy—who received the FTSE All Share award.

Judges described Day as playing a “pivotal” role in the company’s growth strategy, describing his award as a “no brainer”.

The accolade for non-executive at a private equity backed company went to Alison Thain OBE, board chair at Sage Homes, the country’s largest builder of affordable housing.

‘Exceptional skill’

Judges said she had demonstrated “exceptional skill in bringing together potentially conflicting dynamics of social housing and private equity ownership, all the while overseeing and delivering impressive commercial outcomes”.

The FTSE AIM non-executive director prize went to Malcolm Wall, chair of marketing company Eagle Eye Plc, who judges described as a “magician” for the way he helped turn around the company’s financial position. “His focus on ensuring all team members were operating to best of their ability, alongside fostering a culture of continuous improvement, has been keen key to Eagle Eye’s success.”

Stephen Hill OBE, chair of Alzheimer’s Society, was lauded as the Not for Profit/Public Service non-executive of the year.

His citation reads: “Stephen stood out for both his approach and the impact of his contributions.” It adds his “high challenge, high support” approach was “pivotal in ensuring the right decisions were made on strategy, budget and risk”.

The last of the award winners is Sir Nigel Rudd, who received this year’s Lifetime Achievement award. Sir Nigel, an accountant by training, built his own business, Williams Holdings, which went on to become Chubb plc and Kidde plc. Currently chair of BBA Aviation, he has also served as chair at BAA, Boots, Pilkington and Pendragon.

Judges said: “Sir Nigel has created a huge amount of shareholder value in his various roles regarded, not just as a safe pair of hands, but someone who will assert themselves strategically and operationally—deliver and make change.”

You can read full details of the Awards’ winners, shortlist and sponsors here.