The top man at Newton-le-Willows-based Speedy Hire was the overall winner at last night’s Institute of Directors North West Director of the Year Awards. Chief executive Steve Corcoran won both Liverpool Director of the Year and North West Director of the year. “Some said they have been surprised and humbled by being awarded tonight and I can echo that,” he told the audience of 550 people at the City of Manchester Stadium. “We are working in interesting times and I am lucky to have supportive people around me. I also believe that it’s not the firmest, fittest or strongest that will survive but those which can adapt to change.” Other winners on the night included Robert Williams of Dolphin Enterprises Europe, who took home the Liverpool Young Director of the Year, and one of Insider’s 42 under 42 stars, Imran Hakim from iTeddy, who won North West Young Director of the Year.

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of its foundation by James Moores, the fifth Liverpool Biennial kicks off this weekend and is bigger and better than ever as it meets the aspirations of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture 2008. Wander the streets in search of art. The international exhibition this year is called Made Up and is, apparently, “an exploration of the ecology of the artistic imagination”. It’s art.

ACC Liverpool has of course been a tremendous hit and chief executive Bob Preattey talked eloquently at Insider’s breakfast event on Tuesday about how Liverpudlians’ pride in the venue is palpable. His team’s efforts to secure repeat business are being helped by how impressed partner Sky TV is with the thirst of Scouse punters. “We outsold every other venue for the darts and sold more alcohol as well,” he said. It could be why the arena is hotly tipped to host the national as well as regional finals of the Football Masters.

Over 120 guests at Insider’s An Audience with Bob Prattey on Tuesday were not just the recipients of a goody bag from sponsor 20 Chapel Street, but also of a hefty breakfast buffet that made sure no one went back to the office hungry. Frank la Rocca of law firm Mace & Jones headed to work happier than most, having won the surprise draw for two tickets to the MTV Awards at the Echo Arena, the hottest ticket in town.

Congratulations to The Inedibles, a team representing Addleshaw Goddard and Coutts, which emerged triumphant at the Great Northern Cook Off on Tuesday. Other winners included Salford City Reds’ The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and reigning champions The Chipolatas, made up of budding chefs from Leonard Curtis, GE Capital and Positive Cashflow Finance. Insider’s favourite team name came from law firm DWF – Dangerous With Food. Insert joke about not swallowing anything from lawyers here.