An impressive line-up of businesswomen has now been decided for the Forward Ladies Women In Business Awards (WIBA) 2015 for the North West and Isle of Man.

From all the entries received, 31 of the region’s top business women have been shortlisted by an independent panel of judges.

Dedicated to training and professional development for women, Forward Ladies runs its WIBA programme to elevate and celebrate the achievements of trailblazing and pioneering business women. In particular, the awards recognise the vital economic contribution made by professional women to our economy.

Forward Ladies Managing Director Griselda Togobo, who recently acquired the organisation, said: “I was very impressed by the standard of entries and the breadth and scale of the work that the business women in our region are undertaking. These are extremely talented and capable women – pioneers and innovators in their chosen professions. Their hard work must be recognised so they can become credible and inspirational role models for future generations.”

The winners will be decided at an awards ceremony at The Midland hotel in Manchester on Friday 27, March. Joining the finalists, their colleagues and friends for a celebratory three course lunch will be speaker Deidre Bounds, an ethical entrepreneur, Channel4 TV presenter, best-selling author, and a self-made multi-millionaire. The event is being sponsored by HSBC.

Tickets for the event can be purchased here.

Forward Ladies runs high profile regional events, skills programmes and conferences throughout the UK. Its signature International Women’s Day, celebrated this year on Friday, March 6 is being hosted by Yorkshire’s own former cabinet officer Lady Warsi – the first Muslim to join the Cabinet, and Tricia Stewart – the driving force behind the alternative Women’s Institute calendar that became a worldwide phenomenon.

List of the Finalists and their categories

Professional category         

Kathryn Jump and Lisa Tye, Partners at Shoosmiths LLP (job share, joint nomination)

Dawn Webb, Previously Partner at Moore Stephens

Pamela Coates, Practice Owner at Waterside Dental Care

Charmaine O’Connor, Chief Executive at PP O’Connor

Not for Profit

Victoria Kissack, Founder and Trustee at Tabitha’s Trust

Anne Boyd, CEO at Active Cheshire

Amina  Waldron, Company Director at Youth Elements

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)      

Kathryn Shuttleworth, Managing Director at David Luke Ltd.

Lisa Duddington, Co-founder at Keep It Usable

Personal Assistant (PA)      

Tammy Cooke, Manchester Metropolitan University

Kirsty Wright, PM & M

Jo C Jones, HSBC

Property        

Kimberley Rowden, Licensed Conveyancer employed by SAS Daniels LLP

Suzan  Thompson, Group Managing Director at Elegant Address Luxury Property Group Ltd

Shazda Ahmed, Principal Partner at Monarch Solicitors

Retail 

Cecilia Rathe and Claire Huntley, Directors, Mary Elizabeth Bodycare ltd

Chris Murphy and Jill Rowlands, Murrow Limited, Managing Directors of five Subway Stores

Orit Adiri-Niemogh, Managing Director at H&D Diamonds

Home 

Victoria Corcoran, Managing Director at Pets Country Manor

Lucy Quartermaine, Managing Director, Designer and Founder at LucyQ Designs

Carol Ann Whitehead, Managing Director at The Zebra Partnership

SME   

Tracy Lavin, CEO / Director at Tracy Lavin Events

Caroline Hill, Director at Creed Communications

Pamela Coates, Practice Owner at Waterside Dental Care.

Suzan Thompson, Group Managing Director at Elegant Address Luxury Property Group Ltd

Rivka Rose, Chair and Founder at Faith in Nature

Start-up         

Lynette Page, Owner at Lynette Page makeup artistry

Nicky Hutchens, Director at Shush Media

Angela Thomas, Managing Director at Ginger Recruitment

Joanne Grubb, Creative Director/Business owner at JG Creative