[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The FL National Awards & Summit, now in its 9th year and proudly supported by headline sponsor HSBC UK, has announced its anticipated regional shortlist.
The annual National Awards & Summit are designed to recognise and promote the pipeline of female talent in the UK, across a diverse range of industry sectors, which this year is stronger than ever.
In what promises to be an impactful event, Forward Ladies Managing Director Griselda Togobo revealed the names of 51 female business changers in the North West, Wales and Ireland region, who will compete across 11 categories, including business, not for profit, technology and more.
Women are not solely responsible for bridging the gender gap in business. So this year, we are delighted to also showcase top ‘male agents of change’ who are championing and leading the drive for diversity and inclusivity in their businesses and the wider community.
Griselda added: “The FL National Awards & Summit will celebrate exceptional women and the contribution they make to the UK economy. Leaders, men and women will be brought together to discuss the transformative role that companies can play to support gender equality and the role a diverse work force will play in advancing UK competitiveness. Events like this are essential as we strive for gender parity and inclusive leadership.
“It’s a 100 years since women got the right to vote in the UK, yet female chief executives in the FTSE 100 are still outnumbered by male bosses earning 77 percent more than their female counterparts.
“Outside the boardroom, women have taken on the world of entrepreneurship with both hands and are creating jobs like never before. We’re delighted with the quality and diversity of the applications we received this year from all sectors and from the most diverse backgrounds. A huge congratulations to all of our very well-deserving shortlist. We can’t wait to meet them and are very much looking forward to celebrating and sharing their success.”
The shortlisted applicants (outlined below) in each of the categories will be invited to an exclusive awards lunch on Friday 12th October at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester. 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 7th December.
Jennifer Crawley, UK Head of Performance for Small Business Banking, HSBC UK and chief judge said: “We’re proud to be working with Forward Ladies as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting women in business across the UK. Each year we are inspired by the number of high-calibre entries, and this year has highlighted the exceptionally talented businesswomen we have in the UK.
“These entrants are the future entrepreneurs of our country and play a critical role in our economy. HSBC will be supporting them every step of the way, enabling their businesses to thrive and prosper in the long term.”
This year’s judges include Sahar Hashemi Founder of Coffee Republic; Linda Plant of The Apprentice; Bill Henry, retired PWC partner and Forward Ladies Advisory Board Member; Rachel Hannan, Angel Investor; Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve; Catherine Doran, Former CIO of Royal Mail Group and Nigel Lockett, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Lancaster University Management School.
The Awards are delighted to welcome back HSBC UK as headline sponsor, and are supported by many sector leading businesses including tastecard, Leeds Beckett University, LCF Law, Winburn Glass Norfolk, GKN Aerospace, Carrwood Park, Grant Thornton UK, London North Eastern Railway, Institute of Directors, Yorkshire Post and Miles Smith the Insurer.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoqkqryCq0s”][vc_column_text]The full shortlist for London and the South region is:
Corporate Leader Category:
Amanda Couzens-Davies, Christy UK Ltd, Marketing Director; Elia Montorio, DLA Piper, Partner; Fiona Lockyer, Chancellors Hotel The University of Manchester, Interim General Manager and Consultant – Chancellors Hotel The University of Manchester; Laura Smart, KPMG, Director; Nicola Smith, Verastar, Chief Commercial Officer; Paula Kennedy Garcia, Convergys, Vice President European Markets
Diversity Champion of the Year Category:
Jacqui Murray, Innovate UK, Deputy Director – Faraday Battery Challenge; Denise Chilton, Denise Chilton Ltd, Executive Coach; Gail Godson, Home Instead West Lancashire and Chorley, Director; Roselene Thomas, Thomas UK Consulting Services, Director and Founder
Emerging Leader Category:
Chelbie Jones, Bouygues UK, Management trainee; Holly Steele-Nicholson, Convergys Team Leader; Holly Mack, Verastar, Programme Manager; Katie Peate, Business Growth Hub, Head of Digital, Creative and Tech; Sarah Brearley, Mewburn Ellis LLP, European Patent Attorney
Female Entrepreneur of the Year Category:
Beth Morton, BWB Rating Limited, Managing Director; Emma Elston MBE, UK CONTAINER MAINTENANCE LIMITED, CEO; Helen Williams, Clean Sweep, Director; Helen Corsi-Cadmore, Flying Tiger Copenhagen (Tiger Cardiff Ltd), Co-Owner and Director; Judith Wren, Trolle Trading Limited, Managing Director; Lisa Gawthorne, Bravura Foods Ltd, Co-founder and Managing Director; Lucy Cohen, Mazuma, Co-founder; Sally Fielding, Sally’s Cottages, Founder and Director; Sheran Grey, Business Sense, Managing Director; Sophie Hughes, Mazuma, Operations Director
International Entrepreneur of the Year Category:
Amanda Bell, Bell & Company, Director; Amanda Peffer, BLADE AND ROSE, Founder; Sonia Ginty, Qbag Asia Ltd, CEO
Public Sector/Academia/Not for Profit Sector Category:
Cathy Connolly, Care Merseyside, Social prescribing programme manager; Cerys Furlong, Chwarae Teg, Chief Executive; Helen O’Donnell, Children’s University, Chief Executive; Rachel Law, PossAbilities CIC, CEO
Social Entrepreneur of the Year Category:
Jacqueline Williamson, Kinship Care NI, Chief Executive; Kate Carney, You in Mind (owned by STITCH Ltd) , Director; Stacey Adamiec, 10C/She Started It, Serial Entrepreneur; Catherine Anderson, The Angus McDonald Trust, Founder
Start Up of the Year Category:
Bronwyn Rhodes, Malthouse Vets Ltd, Veterinary Practice; Jane Hallam, Esteem – No Pause, Founder and Director; Lucy Dunleavy, LearnBox Limited, Managing Director; Sarah Draper, Inspire Fitness Merthyr, Owner
STEM Leader Category:
Najwa Jawahar, WSP, Senior Structural Engineer; Olivia Thompson, National Nuclear Laboratory, Head of Technical Skills and Capability; Tina Carswell, Flair Rugs, Finance & Operations Director
STEM Rising Star Category:
Elizabeth Parrott, Liverpool John Moores University, PhD Student and Student Advocate;
Jaclyn Bell, The UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, Space and Physics Project Manager
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Category:
Becca Hume, TapSOS Founder & CEO; Jane Willmott, Jane Willmott Business Owner & Coach; Justine Mclaughlin, Whitfield Business, Digital Director and Adventurer; Kerry Ferguson, Gwe Cambrian Web Cyf, Director; Lauren Dalton, Right Trades, Co-Founder & Customer Service Director; Rachel Beattie, Careaux, Co-founder and director
The mother of all awards #FLNationalAwards & Summit 2018 is coming to your region with events in Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Leeds! It’s an inspirational programme showcasing diversity in business, recognising the doers, trailblazers & inclusive leaders across the UK. Join the conversation and don’t miss out – HERE.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]