By: 2 November 2026
Managing director of global professional services firm wins ACCA leadership award

Louise Morriss, FCCA, Managing Director at Zedra Group has received ACCA UK’s inaugural Distinguished Executive Leadership & Service Award. 

 

At a ceremony in central London, Louise was joined by five other winners or highly commended of awards created by ACCA UK. They are designed to celebrate finance professionals making an impact through leadership, innovation, talent development, community contribution or professional excellence. 

 

Receiving her award from ACCA president Melanie Proffitt, Louise said: ‘I want to thank ACCA and the judges for presenting me with this award. It is an honour to be recognised by my professional body. We all know that leadership in finance is never a solo effort, so much recognition is due to the fantastic organisation I work for and brilliant team I work with every day.’

 

The judges praised Louise for the breadth and depth of her impact, and the way she demonstrated exceptional leadership, combining strategic vision with a genuine commitment to developing people and driving long-term organisational success.

 

The full list of winners is:

  • Approved employer: winner – Sterling Finance (UK) Limited 

  • Approved employer: highly commended – West Midland Pensions Fund 

  • Student of the year – Sabrina Seid

  • Emerging finance leader: winner – Sajan Sandhu, FCCA

  • Finance impact: winner – Owen Davies, FCCA 

  • Distinguished executive & Service leadership award: winner – Louise Morriss, FCCA

  • Distinguished executive & Service leadership award: highly commended – Anand Samani, FCCA 

 

Chelsea Shelley, Head of Member Engagement, ACCA UK, said: ‘This initiative showcases an incredible range of achievements from members, employers and finance professionals across the UK.’  

 

The awards celebrate the ACCA UK community, from students taking their first steps into the profession, to emerging leaders, influential members and organisations championing talent development, through to senior executives whose leadership is shaping the future of finance. 

 

Melanie Proffitt, ACCA president, said: ‘It was great to be here today and a privilege to hand out these awards to members of the ACCA community in the UK. Presenting these awards is one of my last acts as ACCA president and the passion, energy and commitment demonstrated by these winners today is typical of the attributes I have seen displayed by ACCA members across the globe over the past year. This should fill us all with optimism for the future.’

Image provided by ACCA