The FL National Awards & Summit, now in its 10th year, has today announced its anticipated regional shortlist for London and the South.
Designed to demonstrate enterprise, talent and innovation from across the region’s thriving business community, the annual National Awards & Summit has become one of the most recognised and well-attended business awards in the region.
Forward Ladies Managing Director, Griselda Togobo, revealed the 69 shortlisted applicants who will now compete for ten prestigious awards, in categories across all sectors including Emerging Leader, Start Up, Charity/Social Enterprise, Mentor of the Year and more.
Griselda explained: “Since launching in 2009, these are the only business awards to recognise those leaders and organisations who have made the greatest impact on the regional and wider UK economy over the last 12 months.
“For another year running, we have received some excellent entries from businesses large and small, and from individuals at all stages in their career journey. All of those who have been shortlisted this year can be immensely proud of their success and all they have achieved.”
The shortlisted applicants (outlined below) in each of the categories will be invited to an exclusive awards lunch hosted by ITV news broadcaster Genelle Aldred, on Friday 27th September at the Hilton London Tower Bridge, London. The winners from this, and the other regional finals, will then be invited to appear before a live panel of independent judges in November, followed by the National Grand Final in Leeds on 29th November.
Lara Oyesanya, UK Counsel and Director, Legal at Klarna Bank AB, was last year crowned with the top award of Forward Ladies Outstanding Business Woman of the Year 2018, after leaving the judges “amazed and highly inspired” by her “stunning career”.
Commenting on her triumph, Lara said: “The impact of the awards has been huge. This achievement has shone a spotlight on my career and inspired others. More importantly, the awards have enabled me to promote women’s causes and to encourage women to consider all possibilities.
“For me personally, I’ve taken away the importance of getting involved and sharing my story, and providing the visuals that are so necessary as part of the storytelling because people relate far better to what they can see.”
The awards are delighted to welcome back one of last year’s judges Sahar Hashemi, Founder of Coffee Republic. Commenting on the event, Sahar said: “I absolutely love the Forward Ladies awards. I remember the first time I attended a few years ago and entering the room as the speaker – I couldn’t believe the buzz and the energy. But then again it’s no surprise that so many high achieving women in one room could create an unbelievably high octane, inspiring atmosphere. Every year it gets better and better.
“As a judge, I get so much inspiration and positive energy from meeting the incredible women shortlisted for awards. So here’s to another fabulous year – the future is female and you are all living proof – you go ladies!”
The full shortlist for the London and South region is:
Charity/Social Enterprise Category:
Judith Davey, CEO, The Advocacy Project; Elizabeth Donnelly, Chief Executive Officer, The Women’s Engineering Society; Bianca Effemey, CEO, Momentum Children’s Charity; Nikita Malik, Director of the Centre on Radicalisation and Terrorism at the Henry Jackson Society, The Henry Jackson Society; Shabnam Nasimi, Head of Programmes, Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (ACAA); Ann Swain, Global CEO, The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo); Nicky Affleck, Chief Executive Officer (interim), London Youth Games
Corporate Leader Category:
Heather Buglass, HR Director – Europe & Rest of World, pladis; Joanna Farnsworth, Commercial Manager, Galliford Try Partnerships; Caroline Frankum, Global CEO, Profiles Division, Kantar; Nadia Idries, Solicitor & Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers; Nicky Stubbs, Head of People Transformation, NATS Holdings Ltd; Rachel Wilkins, Marketing Director, Dell; Elizabeth McGlone, Bindmans LLP, Legal
Emerging Leader Category:
Tijana Ellis, Sales Specialist, O2; Lobna El Shafie, Head of Tumblr, International Tumblr / Verizon Media; Janette Isiguzo, Service Delivery Manager, KPMG; Carla Knighton, Sales and Marketing Manager, BAE Systems AI; Zana Lah, Financial Services Consultant, EY; Leah Rider, Technology Programme Manager, National Composites Centre; Rebecca Ellul, Head of Strategy & Ops, Digital & Tech Policy Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; Rhiannon Collins, Technical Analyst, Sky; Sotira Georgiou, Structural Engineer, Ramboll UK; Katy Toms, Senior Engineer, WSP
Female Entrepreneur Category:
Laura Bounds, Owner & Managing Director, Kent Crisps Ltd; Kathy Caton, Founder & Managing Director, Brighton Gin; Faye Jobbins, Co-Founder, Tikiboo; Kirsty Loveday, CEO/Founder, Love Drinks; Andrea Rodney, Director, Hone-All Precision Ltd; Cara Sayer, Chief Sleep Officer, SnoozeShade; Emma Sayle, Founder and CEO, Killing Kittens; Elizabeth Venz, President International, Jack Nadel International; Fiona Watts, Managing Director, International Private Finance; Faye Watts, Owner and Founder, FUSE Accountants; Georgina Hurcombe, Managing Director/ Producer/ Founder, Lovelove Films
Mentor of the Year Category:
Omera Khan, Professor, OQK Associates LTD; Aimee Treasure, Marketing Manager, VHR; Leah Anidi-Ryz, Business Transformation Consultant, Leah Ryz Ltd; Penny de Valk, Director, Pennydevalk.com; Kirsten Galea, Senior Associate Architect, Weston Williamson + Partners;
Jacqueline O’Donovan, Managing Director, O’Donovan Waste Disposal Ltd; Karla Reffold, Founder and MD, BeecherMadden; Dolly Theis, Director, 50:50 Parliament; Liz Robins, Co-founder, AS Robins
Public Sector/Academia/Not for Profit Leader Category:
Clare Matysova, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, University of East London; Vicky Clarke, Assistant Principal – Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare, Ada. National College for Digital Skills; Irina Lazar, Undergraduate Programme Director and Teaching Fellow in Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol; Nivene Powell, Senior Community Liasion Manager, EcoWorld London
Start Up Category:
Rachel Hugh, CEO /Co-founder, The Vurger Co; Kirsty Leighton, Managing Partner, Milk & Honey PR LLP; Keren Pybus, CEO, Ethical Apparel Africa; Alex Depledge, CEO, Resi ; Helen Harris, Owner, Olifantjie
STEM Leader Category:
Natasha Stone, Senior Cost Consultant, Arcadis UK; Juliet Kennedy, Operations Director, NATS; Sarah Burnett, Executive Vice President & Distinguished Analyst, Chair of BCSWomen Everest Group; Sahar Danesh, Government Engagement Manager, BSI; Louise Hardy, Non executive director, Crest Nicholson Plc; Sofia Stouki, Head of GIS Operations, Costain Ltd; Vinnett Taylor, Head of IoT – Enterprise, Telefonica O2 UK; Yue Wang, Principal 5G Researcher, Samsung Research UK; Wendy Wates, Business Integration Director, QinetiQ International, QinetiQ; Amelia Gould, Project Director, BAE Systems
Young Entrepreneur Category:
Tina Euri, Founder of Moving Waves, Moving Waves; Abbie Morris, Co-founder and CEO, Compare Ethics; Hannah Uruci, Director, BRS Cleaning Contractors Ltd; Alexandria Wombwell-Povey, Founder CHAM; Ulyana Shtybel, Vice President and Chief Capital Officer, HighCastle; Rose Tan, Co-founder, Merudite Ltd.
The Male Agent of Change will be announced at the event.