Sony Managing Director Wins at IoD Awards

Steve Dalton OBE, Managing Director of Sony UK Technology Centre has been named a winner at the 2012 Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales Director of the Year Awards at the SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff.

Mr Dalton is the winner of the ‘Director of the Year, South Wales’ award category, which was sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial, and presented to him at the Awards Lunch by Allan Griffiths, Area Director, Lloyds.  Mr Dalton’s competition was fierce and he was up against some of South Wales’ top business leaders, who were within the translation, education, property and not-for-profit sectors.

IoD Wales, Director, Robert Lloyd Griffiths said: “The economic climate over the last few years has not been easy for business and there continues to be a high level of uncertainty. We are facing unique challenges as a nation and as business leaders. It is for those who see these challenges as opportunities, for those who are able to adapt and grow and for those that take the calculated risks and push the boundaries in their sectors that we are again looking to champion success and highlight inspired business leadership.

“Steve has been selected by our judges to be a winner in this year’s awards because he epitomises this in what he has achieved at Sony UK Technology Centre.

“Our winners represent all that’s good about Welsh enterprise; they’re hard-working individuals who have key leadership roles in wonderful modern businesses. There’s a great deal of effort amongst private sector leaders to help steer Wales and the UK away from difficult economic times and our winners are brilliant examples of that drive and skill.”

Simon Walker, Director General of the IoD and Welsh Government Business Minister, Edwina Hart attended the event and addressed Wales’ top business leaders focusing on the importance of recognising those individuals that contribute to growing business within the current tough economic climate.

As Managing Director, Steve Dalton has successfully led the company through an operational change management programme since 2005, transforming the Pencoed business from a manufacturer of high –volume CRT TV products into a high-value, high-skill and low-volume operation which now manufactures high definition, professional and broadcast camera equipment for world-wide markets.

Additionally, Steve Dalton has developed the only customer service centre for Sony in the UK and has created a state-of-the-art facility business incubation centre for start-up companies in the media, digital, gaming and renewable sectors, which is already home to 22 organisations.

Steve Dalton OBE, Managing Director of Sony UK Technology Centre commented; “I am truly honored to have won this award.  The IoD is a prestigious organisation and professional body and it’s brilliant to receive such recognition from like minded business individuals, for my achievements at Sony UK Technology Centre. I am immensely proud of this award and I could not have done this without the support of my team in Pencoed, all of which I am extremely proud of.

“My employees loyalty, commitment and hard work to continuously help grown the organisation and working with me to constantly strive to improve the company has ensured we are exceptional in customer service delivery, efficiency and has encourage new business opportunities in working with start-up organisations.  All of which has aided me in my success to date.  I look forward to sourcing new opportunities to further progress Sony UK Technology Centre in the next year, continuing to secure the site’s sustainability and working with local suppliers to help drive business in the Welsh economy.”

This is the second year of the awards scheme, which was sponsored by Cardiff Business School and saw more than 300 business leaders around Wales attend the event, 21 of which were selected as finalists.

Steve Dalton OBE and the other winners for the IoD Wales Awards will now automatically be entered into the IoD’s Director of the Year Awards UK Final, which celebrate the very best in UK business and determines through a comprehensive judging process who is the best of the best in British business. The Director of the Year Awards UK Final 2012 will take place in London on 5th October 2012.

For more information on the award winners please visit http://www.iod.com/home/local-network/wales/director-of-the-year-awards