Forward Ladies has announced the shortlist for the 2017 National Awards, sponsored by HSBC; bringing together start-ups, multi-million pound businesses, academics and international business leaders in what promises to be an impactful event.
In announcing the Midlands region shortlist, Forward Ladies Managing Director Griselda Togobo unveiled the names of 35 entrepreneurial female business leaders who will compete across eleven categories.
Griselda commented: “This has been a fantastic year for women and now it’s time to change gear and focus on the support needed to nurture talent regardless of gender, sector or region. The award categories are a reflection not only of the types of businesses with which women are involved, but also those which showcase the underrepresented women working in traditionally male dominated fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Online industries.
“The calibre of entries has been increasing year on year, but this year we have a number of outstanding entries and here at Forward Ladies we very much look forward to celebrating and sharing their success.”
The shortlisted applicants (announced below) in each of the categories will be invited to attend the glittering regional final at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, Birmingham on Friday 29th September. 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 final in Leeds on 1st December.
Jennifer Crawley, UK Head of Performance for Business Banking, HSBC and judge said: “There was an impressive number of high-calibre entries this year, highlighting the quality of talented businesswomen we have in the UK. These entrants are the future entrepreneurs of our country, with the Forward Ladies event to showcase the best Britain has to offer. HSBC will be supporting them every step of the way to ensure their businesses prosper and thrive in the long term.”
Other judges include Ajaz Ahmed, the founder of Freeserve, Jan Flawn CBE, founder of PJ Care, Sahar Hashemi, founder of Coffee Republic and Dale Murray, Co-Founder of Omega Logic.
The Awards are delighted to welcome back HSBC as key sponsor, and are supported by many sector leading businesses including Tastecard, Leeds Beckett University, Yorkshire Water, Carrwood Park, WGN, LCF Law, Freeths and United Utilities.
The full shortlist for the Midlands is:
Corporate Leader Category:
Fleur Sexton, PET-Xi Training, Joint Managing Director; Carol Shanahan Corporate Leader Synectics Solutions Managing Director; Deborah Wilson David, School of English and Journalism, University of Lincoln, Deputy Head and Director of Teaching and Learning, School of English and Journalism
Inspiring Leader Category:
Carie Lyndene, Creative Sales Results Ltd, The Success Coach; Raj Holness, Breaking the Silence btsuk Ltd, Director
International Category:
Fiona Patterson, Work Psychology Group, Founding Director; Hannah Myers, Flare Clothing, Creative Director
SME Growth Category:
Fiona Patterson, Work Psychology Group, Founding Director; Laura Rycroft, Progress Recruitment Solutions (UK) Ltd, Managing Director; Jane Gorick, Packaging Services Europe, Co-founder; Nicola Millward, The Millward Partnership, Managing Director
Young Entrepreneur Category:
Hannah Myers, Flare Clothing, Creative Director; Harriet Butler, Hazelwoods, Property Director; Victoria Crampton, Create Us Online, Managing Director; Gemma Allies, SkinSincere, Director; Roseanna Croft, Roseanna Croft Jewellery Owner, Chief Designer and Goldsmith
STEM Rising Star Category:
Jessica Okoro, BeScience STEM, Founder; Gemma Broughton, Arup, Assistant Technician
Rising Star Category:
Danielle Thompson, Purple Monster, Commercial Director; Julie Langton, True Potential Wealth Management, Wealth Management Partner
Not For Profit/Social Enterprise Category:
Raj Holness, Breaking the Silence btsuk Ltd, Director; Nicola Clayton-Mewis, Vanbrugh Construction, Director of Developments; Veronica Kumeta, Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer, CEO Co Founder; Jenny Watt, Out Of Nature , Managing Director; Kiran Sahota, Believe in Me, Director; Katie Millard, Baby Bird Cafe (Community Interest Company), Director / owner; Jessica Okoro, BeScience STEM, Founder
SME Emerging Category:
Kelly Swingler, Chrysalis Consulting, Founder; Tara Tomes, EAST VILLAGE, Managing Director; Kim Morgan, Barefoot Coaching Ltd, Managing Director; Caroline Hopkinson, Emerald Accountancy Ltd, Managing Director; Clare Farrell, Northfield Wealth Ltd, IFA
Start Up Category:
Melissa Mailer-Yates, Shakespuss & Co Ltd, CEO; Andrea Wilde, Wilde About Tan Ltd., Owner and Director; Helen Barge, Risk Evolves, Managing Director; Rachel de Caux, Beauty Boulevard Ltd, Director; Rebecca Bidwell, Bidwell Henderson Costs Consultants Ltd, Director; Lyndsey Tidmarsh, West Midlands Nail & Beauty Academy, Managing Director
STEM Leader Category:
Suzanne Smith, Soteria Asbestos Limited, Managing Director; Nicola Millward, The Millward Partnership, Managing Director
Have you booked your ticket for the country’s biggest celebration of female-led businesses? Book your tickets to an award near you – We will be in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds. Book your tickets HERE.