Symington’s David Salkeld named North East CEO of the Year

David Salkeld, the Chief Executive of food group Symington’s, has been named CEO of the Year for the North East by the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA).
Leeds-based Symington’s has shown consistent and impressive growth in recent years, and under the leadership of Mr Salkeld the company has continued to strengthen its position in the convenience food market, as demonstrated by the acquisition of Tanfield Foods in October last year.
As CEO of the Year for the North East, Mr Salkeld joins six other winners in the North East final of the annual BVCA Management Team Awards. Produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP, these awards are designed to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the UK’s leading businesses that are backed by private equity and venture capital. Symington’s is backed by Intermediate Capital Group (ICG).
All of the winners in the North East final are now automatically entered into a national contest, the results of which will beannounced at a ceremony in London on 25 June.
The full list of winners for the North East BVCA Management Team Awards:
Category |
Winner |
Backed by |
Large Buyout Private Equity-backed Management Team of the Year | Zenith Leasedrive | HgCapital |
Mid Market Private Equity-backed Management Team of the Year | Nigel Frank | Livingbridge |
Venture Capital-backed Management Team of the Year | Xercise4Less | Business Growth Fund |
International Impact Management Team of the Year | Nigel Frank | Livingbridge |
Exit Management Team of the Year | Aesica Pharmaceuticals | Silverfleet Capital Partners |
Community & Environmental Action | Mayborn Group | Silverfleet Capital Partners |
Best for Innovation | Xeros | Enterprise Ventures and others |
CEO of the Year | David Salkeld, Symington’s | ICG |
Colin Stirling, Chair of the North East judging panel and Partner at Spirit Capital, said:
“The North East, including Yorkshire andthe Humber, has long been synonymous with traditional industries like manufacturing, chemicals and engineering but what I think is particularly striking about the winners for this year’s BVCA Management Team Awards is just how diverse they all are.
“From recruitment to baby products, food tobudget gyms, the North East is home to market-leading companies across a rangeof sectors, and all backed by private equity and venture capital.
“Congratulations to all the winners and best of luck in the national finals.”
Richard Goldsack, who leads Grant Thornton’s corporate finance teamin Leeds, said:
“It’s great to see Yorkshire andthe North East continuing to lead the way with innovative and dynamic businesses seeing impressive growth, supported by funding from private equity and venture capital. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the region and is once again achieving national recognition.”
Notes to editor
- The BVCA Management Team Awards, produced in association with Grant Thornton UK LLP, are the only awards to celebrate the achievements of private equity and venture capital-backed management teams. There are eight regions in total, each with their own judging panel, and all winners were automatically forwarded to the national final, the results of which were revealed at a ceremony in London on 25 June 2015. Please click here for more information.
- The North East judging panelconsists of: Colin Stirling (Chair), Spirit Capital; Peter Armitage, Key Capital Partners; John Garner, LDC; Jane Houghton, BVCA; Nigel Owens, YFM Equity Partners; Will Oxley, Grant Thornton.
- The British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA) is the industry body for the UK private equity and venture capital industry. The BVCA has over 500 member firms, representing the vast majority of UK-based private equity and venture capital firms and their advisers.
- Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organisations of independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. These firms help dynamic organisations unlock their potential for growth by providing meaningful, forward-thinking advice. Proactive teams, led by approachable partners in these firms, use insights, experience and instinct to understand complex issues for privately owned, publicly listed and public sector clients and help them to find solutions. More than 35,000 Grant Thornton people, across over 100 countries, are focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the communities in which we live and work. The UK Grant Thornton member firm provides services to over 40,000 privately held businesses, public interest entities and individuals. It is led by more than 185 partners and employs more than 4,200 of the profession's brightest minds. Find out more at www.grant-thornton.co.uk.