In a landmark celebration of female achievement, the Novi Awards 2024 showcased extraordinary women transforming industries across the UK and beyond. The star-studded ceremony at The Londoner brought together influential leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, spotlighting 83 exceptional nominees across 16 categories who are reshaping the future of business and technology. 

“Novi represents more than recognition – it’s a movement to drive real change for women in business,” said Griselda Togobo, Founder of the Novi Awards. “This year’s winners exemplify the breakthrough leadership and innovation that’s possible when we champion diverse voices and perspectives.” 

Breaking New Ground in Leadership and Innovation 

Elizabeth Vega’s selection as Businesswoman of the Year marks a defining moment for women in technology. With over three decades of experience spearheading complex digital transformations for global organizations, Vega has established herself as a powerful advocate for sustainable business practices and inclusion in the tech sector. 

Tackling Critical Challenges Head-On 

The awards ceremony featured crucial discussions on pressing issues facing women in business, including the severe underfunding of women’s healthcare, with less than 5% of health tech investments going to femtech, and the vital role of allyship in creating sustainable change. 

Industry leaders including Jacqueline de Rojas CBE (President Emeritus, Co-Chair, TechUK, The Institute of Coding), Leigh Walter James (Managing Director, Accenture), Jhumar Johnson (Chief of Staff to the Vice Chancellor, Open University), and Thomas Birk (Vice President UK & Ireland, Managing Director, BASF PLC) led powerful conversations on fostering truly inclusive workplaces. 

Founders Jacqui Miller-Charlton MBE (Business Executive, Author, Columnist) and Harriet Kelsall (Chair and Founder of Harriet Kelsall Jewellery) discussed challenges holding women back in male-dominated industries. Emma Wright, Novi Business Woman of the Year 2023 and Partner at Harbottle & Lewis, talked about collaborating with other community members to reverse a major government bill. 

A thought-provoking conversation with academic Marina Gerner, PhD, about her book ‘The Vagina Business: Innovative Breakthroughs that Could Change Everything in Women’s Health’ revealed shocking facts about heart attacks, forceps used in deliveries, and the under-valued and under-served #femtech sector. 

“This year’s winners and nominees aren’t just breaking barriers – they’re completely redefining what’s possible,” added Togobo. “Their success stories prove that when we invest in women’s leadership, entire industries transform for the better.” 

Honouring Excellence and Bravery 

The highlight of the day was the announcement of the 2024 winners, recognising outstanding women whose contributions have reshaped industries and inspired others. 

Elizabeth Vega’s transformative leadership earned her the top accolade of the evening. Judges described her as “an incredible, talented, and inspirational woman” who has spent over 30 years leading complex digital transformations for globally respected organisations. A champion of sustainable business practices and diversity, Vega’s advocacy for inclusion, skills investment, and economic empowerment has left an indelible mark on the tech and digital sectors. 

Empowering Women, Building the Future 

The Novi Awards 2024, sponsored by BASF, The Open University, and GKN, set a new standard for recognising excellence and fostering gender equality. 

The event underscored a powerful message: through allyship and community, women can drive transformative change, even in the face of adversity. 

Novi Awards 2024 Winners 

1. Businesswoman of the Year, Elizabeth Vega, Group CEO | Informed Solutions 
2. Bravery Award, Rehana Ramesh, Acting Director of Customer Service, Digital and Data | London Borough of Hackney 
3. Transformational Leader of the Year, Kathryn Dolan, Chief People Officer 
4. Emerging Leader of the Year, Cassie Gasson, Co-CEO | Thrive 
5. International Leader of the Year, Sonja Jost, Co-Founder & CEO | DUDE CHEM 
6. STEM Leader of the Year, Susan McDonald, Energy Transition Lead | Deloitte’s Sustainability & Climate Strategy Practice 
7. Rising Star of the Year, Isabella Rocha, UX Designer | IBM 
8. Disruptor, Vivian Bertseka, Co-founder, COO, Head of Climate | BlueLayer 
9. Female Entrepreneur, Jessica Gwaringa, Managing Director | Moonrise 24hr Recruitment 
10. Young Entrepreneur, Elsa Zekeng, Founder & CEO | SökerData Ltd 
11. Start Up of the Year, Bianca Cefalo, CEO & Co-founder | Space DOTS 
12. Women on Boards, Gisela Abbam, Chair | The General Pharmaceutical Council 
13. Academic Leader of the Year, Asra Aslam, Research Fellow | University of Leeds and Principal Investigator | Alan Turing Institute 
14. Social Impact of the Year, Jane Knight, Director | Successful Mums Career Academy 
15. Inspiring Mentor of the Year, Cordelia Osewa-Ediae, Director and Consultant | Cemsed Consultancy Ltd. 
16. Public/Third Sector, Emma Oldham, Environmentalist | Newark and Sherwood District Council 

Highly Commended 

• Kizzy Augustin, Equity Partner | Mishcon De Reya 

• Tolulope Osobu, Management Consultant | Accenture 

• Mivy James, Chief Technology Officer | Ministry of Defence 

• Cheryl Razzell, Head of Compute | AWS 

• Swati Raipancholia, Management Consultant | Accenture 

• Joanitha Ntangeki, Lecturer | University of Plymouth 

• Premila Puri, Interim CEO | Be Kind Movement 

• Hanaa Bengtsson, Founder CEO | OHeeBa 

• Aletha Shepherd, Producer | Shot Of Tea 

• Natalie Burkinshaw, Founder | Crush Design 

• Laila Berchane, CEO and Co-founder | Robots & More 

• Pauldy Otermans, COO and Head of Research in AI | OIAI by Otermans Institute 

Get Involved 

For more information about the award and to register for next year, visit the website https://www.thenoviawards.com/ 

We encourage the public to engage with the winners by sharing the list on social media using #NoviAwards2024 https://www.thenoviawards.com/winners-2024/ 

About Novi 

Founded in 2005, Novi is on a mission to elevate women’s voices and amplify their impact. With members worldwide from both private and public sectors, including some of the world’s largest organizations, Novi offers various membership pathways for women driving change. As part of its commitment to recognizing excellence, Novi hosts The Novi Awards annually. This flagship event celebrates women breaking barriers and shaping a more inclusive future of business. At Novi, we believe we are Unstoppable Together. For more information about Novi, The Novi Awards, visit https://www.wearenovi.com. 

For more information and to register for next year’s awards, visit https://www.thenoviawards.com/ 

Media Contact: 

Email: press@wearenovi.com