Llanon-based managing director Jeffrey Pugh has won a business award, recognising his “outstanding initiative, boldness and sound management practices”.

Wales’ top business talent was celebrated at the Institute of Directors’ Director of the Year Awards Wales, where Mr Pugh, of Pugh Computers, scooped the coveted SME Director of the Year prize, beating stiff competition from other directors across Wales.

Mr Pugh set up Pugh Computers 38 years ago and has developed it to become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of software to the education and voluntary sectors working with vendor partners including Adobe, Microsoft and Sophos.

He joined hundreds of peers and fellow directors for the awards ceremony at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, which was held as a celebratory lunch on Friday, 17 May.

Both Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade and president of the Board of Trade, and Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns attended, and recognised the success of inspiring and pioneering business leaders in Wales in their speeches.

Mr Pugh said: “I am very pleased to have won this award on a personal level, however I am most excited that this achievement puts Pugh Computers on the map as a leading Welsh employer that supports and invests in all its employees.

“I set up the business with the vision to provide great career opportunities for a motivated team while making waves in the software licensing sector. I feel this award shows the great strides we have made in these areas.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday