The selection committee was impressed with the effort Mr Allison had put into developing himself for board roles, including advancing his managerial career, completing the IoD's governance development programme, and undertaking a governance role in a not-for-profit organisation.
Mr Allison holds board positions with Southern Teamco (2008) Ltd, AA Cleaners (Otago) Ltd and City Forests Ltd.
He aspired to become a director to add value to organisations, help them to focus on what was important and to work with intelligent people who challenged and enjoyed being challenged, he said.
Last year, Night 'n Day Foodstores was ranked fourth nationally in the annual Deloitte Fast 50 companies, with 952% growth. It was also Otago's fastest-growing retail or consumer products business.
Night 'n Day began with a sole family-owned shop in George St in 1983, with the franchises launched in 1991 and totalling 25. In 2011 a further 21 North Island franchises were rolled out at Gull petrol stations.
Mr Allison received $1500 towards an IoD director development course, a year's complimentary membership, complimentary attendance at four branch events and mentoring with an experienced director.
Runner-up Mark O'Connor, who is chief executive of Bluff-based South Port Ltd, will also receive mentoring. He is a board member of Invercargill City Properties and the Southland Chamber of Commerce and he also chairs Export Southland and the Southland Energy Consortium.
Mark Berryman, who is studying towards an MBA at the University of Otago, was awarded the 2013 Upstart Director Award.
Jointly sponsored by the Otago Southland branch of the IoD and Upstart Business Incubator, it was open to University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic students.
A carpenter by trade, Mr Berryman established Selah Renovations when he was 20. Six years later, the company has more than 25 employees and was 15th in the Deloitte Fast 50 last year.
Mr Berryman, who said he had a passion for seeing businesses grow and succeed, recently moved to Dunedin but continues to run the Auckland-based company.
Along with a 12-month position on the Upstart board, he will receive funding to attend the IoD's governance essentials course in Dunedin next month, complimentary attendance of four local IoD events, and mentoring.
The selection committee was impressed with the ''thoughtful approach'' Mr Berryman had taken during the development of his business as well as his willingness to take advice from others.
It was also impressed with the charitable work he and Selah Renovations had undertaken through the Habitat for Humanity organisation.
