Tees boss Ashton Hunt scoops prestigious Director of the Year title
You could say it’s been a fairly good few years for Tees’ Group Managing Director, Ashton Hunt. Since taking the reins at the Top 200-listed law firm in 2016, he’s achieved ambitious turnover targets, increased staff numbers by over a third, been instrumental in expanding Tees’ wide range of fundraising and sponsorship pursuits, and accomplished a successful merger with Brentwood-based firm Wortley Byers at the beginning of this year. Tees incorporating Wortley Byers now boasts 30 partners, 325 staff and an annual turnover of £22 million.
His dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed, it would seem; on Friday 14 June, Ashton was honoured to be awarded the prestigious title of Director of the Year in the Small-Medium Business Category by the East of England branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD), a chartered organisation that represents business leaders across the country. The Awards are held each year to celebrate the very best of the region’s directors, recognising not only the key role they play in the UK’s economy, but also in job preservation and creation. They place emphasis on individual excellence and achievement.
Collecting his award at a celebratory lunch which took place at the historic Jockey Club Rooms in Newmarket, Ashton said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win this award, which is of course a reflection of the commitment and dedication of the entire team at Tees. When I took over in 2016, I certainly had a strong vision for the firm’s future, but I couldn’t have done it alone. Yes, it’s been a pleasure to see the business grow and develop, but I’ve also watched with pride as our people have flourished and put their whole heart into everything I set out to achieve. I’m very much looking forward to what promises to be a bright future for our business.”
Also coming up in Ashton’s near future will be the national Director of the Year Awards ceremony, in which the regional winners will compete for the top accolade in each category. Ashton will join the best and brightest of the UK’s business leaders at The Brewery in London on Friday 18 October, in the hope of scooping a coveted national award. Whatever the outcome, though, one thing remains true: Ashton has firmly cemented his place as a talent to watch.