Sponsors

Thanks to our partners for their involvement and support with the South West Finance Director Awards

JAMIE RODDEN, PARTNER, PAGE EXECUTIVE

Jamie Rodden is a Partner at Page Executive, specialising in senior finance leadership across the Midlands. With 25 years in recruitment and previous experience as Managing Director of a national recruitment business, Jamie combines search expertise with genuine commercial insight. Having navigated cashflow pressures, staffing challenges and economic cycles first‑hand, he understands the realities facing business owners and brings that empathy to every mandate.

Jamie partners with CEOs, Boards, Investors and Chief People Officers to deliver permanent and interim CFO and Finance Director solutions that support periods of change and growth. Known for his clarity, process control and instinct for cultural alignment, he consistently secures finance leaders who deliver both immediate impact and long‑term value.

Passionate about the pivotal role finance leaders play in shaping successful organisations, Jamie has respect for the impact FDs make—often quietly steering businesses through challenge, change and opportunity. As a proud Brummie, he admires the region’s resilience, ambition and continued success, and is committed to supporting its finance community as it grows from strength to strength.

Outside of work, Jamie can usually be found on or near a rugby pitch—refereeing, coaching, or watching his three sons play (the playing days are long behind him).

SUSHEEL GUPTA, PARTNER, HIGGS LLP

Susheel is head of the corporate tax team at Higgs LLP with a particular expertise in tax and corporate law for large corporates, owner-managed businesses and high net-worth individuals. Susheel particularly specialises in corporate tax matters, often working closely with accountants and financial advisers on mergers and acquisitions, tax planning structures and employee incentive schemes.

Susheel regularly helps on corporate and tax transactions and reorganisations ranging from £5m to over £100m in value and has overseen a number of large transactions this year. He has also won several mandates for corporates and ultra-high net worth individuals.

The tax team at Higgs LLP, built by Susheel has an enviable reputation and is a material player in the Midlands and wider national market.

Susheel acts as a trusted legal advisor to a number of clients and where appropriate has undertaken non-executive director roles. He has also led training courses on various corporate and tax law issues to the legal profession.

PAUL FAULKNER, VICE CHAIRMAN (MIDLANDS), BARCLAYS

Paul is Vice-Chairman for Barclays Bank across the Midlands, having taken on the role early in 2026. A new position for the Bank, it underscores the commitment that Barclays has to service clients across the Midlands region and to grow its presence and activity levels within the business community.
Paul has had a long and distinguished business career in a number of high profile roles.
He began his career at MBNA Bank, working in roles across the UK and the US. After a spell at Michael Page Recruitment, he moved back to the US to work for the Lerner family, and in 2006 he played a key role in their takeover of Aston Villa Football Club.
He subsequently became CEO of the Villa until 2014, during which time he was elected to the FA Council and was asked to serve on the FA Board, also representing the Premier League on the FA Cup and International committees.
Paul went on to spend a short period of time as CEO of Nottingham Forest FC, before taking on the role of CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce between 2015-2021.

Since then Paul has worked for the Richardson family investment business, co-founded his own advisory business (Element45), before taking on the Vice-Chairman Midlands role with Barclays.

Paul is a trustee of the ‘Kids’ Village’ charity, and has previously served as a trustee for Cure Leukaemia, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and B:Muisic, as well as spending 8 years as Chairman of Sport Birmingham.

Paul holds an MA in History from Cambridge University and an Hon Doc from Birmingham City University.
Paul is married and lives in Birmingham with his wife and two young children.

JOHN BRYANT, CORPORATE FINANCE PARTNER, MHA

John Bryant is a Corporate Finance Partner at MHA, leading the Midlands team and advising ambitious businesses across the region.

As a leading UK professional services firm and the UK member of Baker Tilly International, MHA provide audit, tax and advisory services. With a strong national presence and access to a global network spanning more than 140 territories, the firm supports growth-focused businesses with practical advice, combining local insight with international capability to help clients navigate complexity and achieve long-term success.

With over 20 years’ experience and a background spanning both banking and accountancy, John brings a well-rounded, commercially focused perspective to every transaction. He specialises in mid-market M&A, supporting clients through acquisitions, disposals, management buyouts and private equity transactions, and has successfully advised on more than 100 deals across a wide range of sectors.

John works closely with business owners, management teams and finance directors to navigate complex strategic decisions, unlock value and deliver successful outcomes aligned to long-term objectives.

Known for his pragmatic approach and strong relationship focus, he is committed to building lasting partnerships with clients and supporting their growth journeys.