Anthony Elston, finance director for Huddersfield-based law firm Ridley and Hall, has been named as one of just two finance professionals shortlisted for Finance Director of the Year at the 2021 Yorkshire Accountancy Awards which 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.

The winners of the Yorkshire Accountancy Awards will be announced on 19^th August at a ceremony at New Dock Hall in Leeds.

Emma Pearmaine, managing partner at Ridley and Hall, said: “We are immensely proud of Anthony – to be recognised as one of the leading financial directors in the whole of Yorkshire is quite an achievement. There’s no doubt that he has played a key role in Ridley and Hall’s strategic growth in recent years, including the addition of a new partner in our Leeds office last year and the acquisition of Bashford Young in Pontefract in 2019.

“During lockdown, Anthony really came into his own – from keeping the team informed via regular business updates to delivering IT equipment and being a supportive colleague, as well as sharing our focus on continuing to deliver the best possible client service. After the uncertainty and turmoil of last year, he has helped the firm steer a steady course, ensuring our continued sound financial footing and, in fact, helping us to see turnover rise in 2021 with,

most importantly, all colleagues having been able to return to work.

With offices in Huddersfield, Leeds and Pontefract, Ridley and Hall has a 80 strong team and specialises in family, private client, litigation and property law.