M&C Saatchi CEO Jaimes Leggett named finalist in the fourth annual Executive of the Year Awards

The CEO Magazine has today revealed the finalists for the 2015 Executive of the Year Awards and of course, the coveted CEO of the Year category. M&C Saatchi Group Australia CEO Jaimes Leggett has been named a finalist.

M&C Saatchi Group Australia is a confederation of 12 specialist agencies that combined comprises 410 people and more than $90 million in annual revenue. No other agency has had the impact on the media industry that M&C Saatchi has over the last 12 months and this is in no small part down to Leggett.

Leggett’s key focus on the business is; people, product and profit. Other priorities include strategy and development, clients and new business, brand and PR, PLC, and board.

Winning both Agency of the Year and Employer of the Year as well as dominating at the Cannes Advertising Festival and being ranked the second most innovative company in Australia puts M&C Saatchi in a league of their own.

The CEO of the Year winner will be announced at the fourth annual gala awards, this year moving to Crown Melbourne, on Thursday 26 November 2015 and hosted by Eddie McGuire.

The awards identify the achievements of aspiring and established leaders in 22 categories, with key categories including Managing Director of the Year, Chairperson of the Year, CFO of the Year, CIO of the Year, and CEO of the Year.

This year, the brand new Start-up Executive of the Year category was introduced to the program, set to showcase the entrepreneur whose achievements have shaped the business landscape within the financial year 2014/15.

With, once again, an overwhelming response to the major CEO of the Year category, this year eight finalists will be announced. The expert judging panel of highly regarded business professionals, including Libby Roy, managing director, Australia and New Zealand, PayPal; James Ajaka, former CEO, Nudie; Ron Santiago, managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Europcar; John Karagounis, managing director and CEO, The CEO Circle; Chris Dutton, founder and CEO, The CEO Magazine; and Daniel Di Loreto, publishing director, The CEO Magazine, examined the business acumen of applicants to arrive at a shortlist. Finalists were judged on their personal achievements, the contribution/difference the individual has made to the company where they work, financial highlights, and new initiatives that have been established.

The finalists in the 2015 CEO of the Year category are:

Jaimes Leggett, CEO, M&C Saatchi

Christine Holgate, CEO, Blackmores

Robert Bernard Kelly, MD and CEO, Steadfast Group Limited

Vaughn Richtor, CEO, ING Direct

David Dicker, Chairman and CEO, Dicker Data Limited

Gilman Wong, CEO, Sirtex Medical Limited

Jason Dooris, CEO, Atomic 212

Radek Sali, CEO, Swisse Wellness

Chris Dutton, CEO and founder of The CEO Magazine, said since its inception in 2012, the Awards continue to grow and improve.

Says Dutton: “We are very proud that the Australian business community continues to embrace our Awards. Each year, we aim to recognise new opportunities for the program and this year we will be recognising finalists in the new ‘Start-up Executive of the Year’ category.

“With new ideas and businesses launching every year and spanning every industry, this category is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the individual with big dreams and smart plans. Australia needs to improve to help foster start-ups and this award will bring recognition to entrepreneurs here.

“With the continued growth of the event, we are also thrilled to be staging the gala awards this year at Crown Melbourne. I look forward to announcing the honour roll of winners with Eddie McGuire in November.”

Tickets to The CEO Magazine’s 2015 Executive of the Year Awards Gala Awards evening are on sale at Purchase tickets for 2015 Executive of the Year Awards.  The night will be one of absolute prestige, with no expense spared on this exclusive event. The evening will include pre-dinner drinks and canapes, fine dining, guest judges, a celebrity MC, and entertainment.