Highly respected businessman Roger Dickens has been posthumously honoured at the Birmingham & West Midlands Accountant Awards.

Mr Dickens, who was Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff for the West Midlands, died in January at the age of 58 following a long illness. On the day of his death he and his wife Lainey had renewed their wedding vows.

In recognition of his long and distinguished career, the Birmingham & West Midlands Society of Char-tered Accountants (BWMSCA) paid tribute to Mr Dickens by posthumously presenting him with a lifetime achievement award.

The accolade was collected on Mr Dickens' behalf by his son, James.

Mr Dickens was born in the Black Country and made his name at KPMG, where he held a number of senior positions, most notably UK deputy senior partner.

In 1998 he left the firm to become chairman of medical software giant iSoft, where he oversaw the company's growth until its merger with Torex Retail in 2004.

As well as being a successful businessman, Mr Dickens was a great champion of the West Midlands.

He was president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1998 and was also a chairman of the West Midlands Regional Group of Chambers.

He was chairman of West Bromwich Building Society and during his career held many other directorships, including the National Exhibition Centre, Carillion and Headlam Group.

In 1997, he was awarded a CBE for services to West Midlands industry, and in 2004 the University of Central England in Birmingham presented him with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his many achievements.

Reginald WynniattHusey, president of the BWMSCA, said: "Roger's career demonstrates the pivotal role chartered accountants play in all areas of commerce and industry. His success, his enthusiasm for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands and his commitment to the region speak for themselves.

"He was a well-known figure in the business community and he will be sorely missed. We are honoured to be able to make this award in recognition of his achievements."

At the awards, Phil Wood of Folkes Worton, picked up the trainee chartered accountant of the year award, while Ben Evans of PricewaterhouseCoopers was young chartered accountant of the year.

Nicklin collected the award for small firm of the year and PwC won the large firm of the year award.

A new award, business of the year (in which an accountant plays a leading role), was won by Anna Williams of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.