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 North West, Wales and Ireland region shortlist, Forward Ladies Managing Director Griselda Togobo unveiled the names of 44 entrepreneurial female business leaders who will compete across twelve 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), Digital 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 Lowry, Manchester on Friday 13th October. 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 North West, Wales & Ireland is:
Corporate Leader Category:
Marie Katherine Mayers, Sodexo Head of Health, Safety & Risk NI and ROI; Charlotte Rees-John, Freeths LLP, Partner
SME Growth Category:
Susanna Lawson, Onefile Ltd., Director/Co-founder; Shauna McCarney-Blair, Heavenly Tasty Organics Ltd., Managing Director/ Founder; Katie Street, Ashfield House, Co-Owner and Wedding Coordinator; Sophie Hughes and Lucy Cohen, Mazuma, Co-founder/Operations Director; Rachael Flanagan, Mrs Bucket, Managing Director; Sally Fielding, Sally’s Cottages, Director; Belinda Sewell, Project Kitchens Ltd., Managing Director; Susanna Lawson, Onefile Ltd., Director/Co-founder
SME Emerging Category:
Shauna McCarney-Blair, Heavenly Tasty Organics Ltd., Managing Director/ Founder,
Sharon Stephens, Planet Veritas, Operations Director; Anna Wickham, Castletree Consultants Limited, Director; Bairbre Walsh and Jo Wilde, The Essential English Centre, Owners
Digital Category:
Hilary Stephenson, Sigma Consulting Solutions Limited, Managing Director; Susanna Lawson, Onefile Ltd., Director/Co-founder
Inspiring Leader Category:
Dorcas Crawford, Edwards & Co. Solicitors, Senior Partner; Carmel McKinney OBE, Northern Ireland Fire and rescue Service, Chairperson
International Category:
Sharon Stephens, Lingua Translations, Operations Director; Shauna McCarney-Blair, Heavenly Tasty Organics Ltd., Managing Director/ Founder
Not For Profit/Social Enterprise Category:
Helen O’Donnell, Children’s University, CEO and Director of Partnerships; Wendy Hobbs, Dreams and Wishes Charity, Solicitor/Author/Volunteer; Sharon Evans, Carmarthenshire School of Gymnastics, Managing Director; Kerryanne Wilde, CERT UK Ltd – Community Emergency Response Team UK, CEO; Ruth Ibegbuna, Reclaim, CEO; Carmel McKinney OBE, Northern Ireland Fire and rescue Service, Chairperson
Rising Star Category:
Gemma Williams, Evolution Recruitment Solutions, Team Manager; Deirdre McInerney, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Ireland, IT LMDW Manager; Ruth Logan, EY, Director at EY;
Rachel Kershaw, Click Finance, HR & Compliance Director
Start Up Category:
Carly Allchurch, Allchurch & Co, Director; Jane Hawkes, Seashore No4 Ltd., Director; Gemma Davies, Local Link Magazine, Managing Director; Anna Redfern, Cinema & Co., Proprietor;
Carolyn Pearse, Carolyn Louise Limited, Brand Coach & Stylist; Nadine Merabi, Alexander Merabi Ltd., Creative Director; Angela Pendlebury, Positive Lifestyle Rewards Ltd., Director;
Sharon Lomas, Lomas & Lomas LTD, Creative Director, May Hamid, Argan Liquid Gold, Director; Rose Aldean, Mello Drinks Ltd., Director; Michelle Inman, Centu Consultancy Limited, Operations Director
STEM Leader Category:
Maria Dalton, Depuy Synthes, Senior Engineering Manager; Marguerite O Sullivan, DePuy Synthes, Innovation Engineering Manager; Diane Hassett, Johnson and Johnson Vision Care (Ireland), Senior Engineering Manager
STEM Rising Star Category:
Johann Muldoon, Manor Architects Ltd., Architect/Director/50% Shareholder; Sophie Chadwick, STEM Graduates, STEM Women Marketing Executive; Helen O’Malley, J&J Vision Care, IT Lead Analyst
Young Entrepreneur Category:
Rachel Gilbertson, Roxiie’s Treasures, Owner; Tino Dzaro, Tino’s, 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.