People champion Heidi named leader of year in honour for Louth firm
An experienced employment expert from a prominent accountancy group, with an office in Louth, has won a prestigious business award.
Heidi Thompson, who is chief people officer at Duncan & Toplis, was named HR (human resources) leader of the year, at the East Midlands Leadership Awards.
She landed the coveted title for her commitment to inclusion, wellbeing and career development and was honoured at an awards ceremony, hosted by TheBusinessDesk.com
Heidi said: “I’m incredibly proud to receive this award. But I can’t take all the credit. It really reflects the culture we’ve built together at Duncan & Toplis.
"We’ve worked so hard to create an inclusive environment in which people feel supported, valued and able to grow, because when our people thrive, the business thrives too.
“It’s a privilege to be part of that journey, and this recognition is something the whole team can share.”
As well as at Oxley House on Lincoln Way in Louth, Duncan & Toplis has offices in Skegness, Sleaford, Spalding, Boston, Stamford and Grantham.
It has established itself as one of the largest accounting and business advisers in the UK, providing a full range of services to businesses and individuals across a strong portfolio of sectors.
Heidi received her award in front of an audience of more than 280 business leaders from all over the East Midlands region, winning the title ahead of finalists from other major companies.
She is a highly experienced people and culture leader with 30 years’ experience in the private and public sectors, including manufacturing, oil and gas, investment banking, education and healthcare.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), she is also an experienced educator, having delivered HR and employment law training, including CIPD and Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)-accredited courses.
Since joining Duncan & Toplis in 2018, Heidi has played a central role in shaping the group’s people-first culture and supporting its continued growth.
Now part of the executive leadership team, she has helped embed a strategy focused on employee engagement, leadership development and wellbeing, supporting a near-30 per cent increase in the group’s workforce between 2024 and 2025.
Damon Brain, chief executive officer of Duncan & Toplis, said: “Heidi is an incredible asset to the team here, and I’m thrilled that she has been given this recognition for her efforts.
“We’re expanding at pace, having made a number of high-profile acquisitions over the past few years, and keen insight from leaders like Heidi is what makes it possible to create a united workplace where careers flourish and talented people truly belong. Congratulations, Heidi! This award is incredibly well deserved.”
The award follows further recognition for Duncan & Toplis at the event, with director and sustainability champion, Sally Anne Hurn, shortlisted for the green leader of the year accolade and Mr Brain himself shortlisted for company leader of the year (101-plus employees).