Outstanding women from across the country have been named as finalists for a prestigious awards event.
The shortlist has been announced for the 2021 Forward Ladies National Awards, which recognise and celebrate the achievements of extraordinary female business leaders.
The awards are the largest celebration of successful women across the UK. Each finalist has excelled in her field, made an exceptional contribution in business or has a remarkable story to share.
Former winners have spoken of the huge impact of the awards, which shone a spotlight on their careers and successes and enabled them to inspire others and promote women’s causes.
There are 140 finalists across 11 categories, including Young Entrepreneurs, Corporate Leader/Inspiring Leader, STEM Leader, Mentor of the Year and Public/Third Sector Leader.
The winners will be announced at the 2021 Forward Ladies Awards & Summit, to be held virtually on Friday, November 26th 2021.
Hosting the event will be Maila Reeves, an angel investor in disruptive technology businesses and one of Tech City Insider’s top 100 Tech People in the UK. The former lawyer is a mentor and strategy consultant to start-ups and social enterprises.
Forward Ladies is a global community of women working in partnership with leaders and progressive organisations to close the gender gap in business. Its mission is to connect women to opportunities and expertise that will empower them to reach the top in their business lives.
The Forward Ladies National Awards & Summit is an important part of the organisation’s work. By highlighting inspirational female leaders, Forward Ladies hopes to encourage other women to follow in their footsteps.
This year’s virtual event will offer those attending a unique opportunity to engage and network with a diverse and dynamic group of finalists.
Speakers will include Anna Keeling, MD of Boeing Defence UK; Scarlett Allen-Horton, founder of global executive search firm Harper Fox Search Partners and former finalist on TV’s The Apprentice and Forward Ladies CEO and international corporate consultant and trainer Griselda Togobo.
The full shortlist for the FL Leadership Summit & Awards is:
Charity/Social Enterprise Category:
Kate Laine-Toner, Alessandra Alonso, Angie Mwafulirwa, Veronica Kumeta, Zakiya Bishton, Victoria Ijeh, Rebecca Fyans, Claire Glynn, Janette Town
Corporate/Inspiring Leader Category:
Sharon Blyfield, Carrie Wootten, Zoe Matthews, Farzana Naz, Abi Hookway, Carlotta Zorzi, Gillian Shields, Leslie-Ann George, Tracey Cox, Poonam Kaur, Sharon Hammond, Ololade Adesanya
Emerging Leader Category:
Annie Guy, Bronte Hall, Codilia Gapare, Daisy Wyatt, Danielle Quinlan, Emily Roberts, Farrah Ekeroth. Hayley Creighton, Ivana Bartoletti, Joanne Ramsay, Kim Rowell, Laura Kirdale, Monica Stancu, Rituja Rao, Samantha Tobin, Stefania Popescu, Temi Olukoko, Toni Trevillion, Zana Lah
Female Entrepreneur Category:
Alexandra Morris, Ann Ball, Antoinette Oglethorpe, Atuksha Poonwassie, Aycin Wateridge, Becca Hume, Codilia Gapare, Dee Murray, Emma Robinson, Fiona Watts, Georgia Halston, Gillian Jones-Williams, Hollie Whittles, Islay O’Hara, Jen Redfern, Julianne Ponan, Julie Grabham, Kerry Ferguson, Kintija Belska, Leanne Silverwood, Lisa Shepherd, Lucy Corner, Lynne Parker, Miranda Stead, Natalie March, Niamh Kelly, Rachel Davison, Sallee Poinsette-Nash, Sarah Howe, Sharon McDermott, Vanessa Smith, Victoria Corcoran
Mentor of the Year Category:
Heather Clarke, Louise Hardy, Samantha Hearne, Gemma Powell, Bushra Ali, Mandy Sanghera, Neelam Kaul
Christina Warner, Iona Lennon, Daisy Burgun, Dr Lorraine Hill
Public Sector/Academia/Not for Profit Leader Category:
Emma Hallam, Angela Novell, Caroline welch, Lisa Turan, Kate Hainsworth, Chinwe Osuchukwu, Sheila Bailey, Lisa-Marie Tonelli, Dominique Atwell
Start Up Category:
STEM Leader Category:
Amanda Obidike, Sheree Atcheson, Victoria Cope, Victoria Peppiatt, Sarah-Jane Mintey, Rowena Innocent, Reham Badawy, Leah Hardicre, Marlen von Roth, Laura Hepburn, Laura Davies
Young Entrepreneur Category:
Vicky Huthart, Hannah Forbes, Roseanna Croft, Carly Thompsett, Chloe Baldwin, Fiona Humphries, Greta McDonald
Huge thank you to our sponsors this year: Tastecard, BASF, Cohorted, Boeing, LCF,