The 2021 Yorkshire Accountancy Awards have named Anthony Elston, finance director for Huddersfield-based law firm Ridley and Hall, as its Finance Director of the Year at a ceremony to celebrate the achievements and successes of the region’s best and brightest finance talent.

A Chartered Accountant, Anthony was a partner in a national firm of accountants until 2011. He then joined a national consumer law firm as finance director and worked as part of the management team achieving significant growth, culminating in the sale of the firm in 2014 to a public company.

In 2017, Anthony returned to the culture of an independently owned firm, moving to Ridley and Hall as finance director. Over the last four years, he has been a key member of the management team, helping to decide upon and implement the strategy of the firm, and to ensure its continued financial stability as it has expanded and grown its client base across its offices in Huddersfield, Leeds and Pontefract.

Anthony has been a Chamber of Commerce council member, a business mentor for the Prince’s Trust and spent almost 20 years as a member of the Round Table.

Emma Pearmaine, managing partner at Ridley and Hall, said: “This is fantastic news for Anthony and the whole team! After a tough 18 months in which Anthony has played a crucial role in motivating and supporting colleagues, it is well-deserved recognition of his achievements and continued contribution to the growth of the firm. We always knew we had one of the leading financial directors in the whole of Yorkshire, and now it’s official!”