Friday High Five – the news this week
It’s been a week of inspiration and insight at TheBusinessDesk.com.
On Tuesday, the winners of our Rainmakers Awards shared their stories of their lives at a lunch event.
Catriona, Nicky and Michael
Both Catriona Lang and Nicky Merritt embrace the philosophy of “getting on with it” and in many ways play down their achievements and what it represents for two amazing women to have achieved what they have in the very male world of corporate finance.
Last night we held our mammoth North West Business of The Year Awards at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.
Our guest speaker was the Paralympian Gregg Stevenson, who brandished the Gold Medal he won in Paris this summer as part of the world record British Rowing team.
Gregg served as a Royal Engineer Commando before suffering a traumatic injury in Afghanistan in 2009, which led to a double leg amputation. He only became interested in rowing after trying out for the Invictus Games in 2018, but he and Lauren Rowles not only qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics but were also European and World Champions.
I am in awe of his dedication and resilience, but also the humility he shows when he speaks about other veterans and how they have dealt with the challenges life has brought them.
Our Ambassador of the Year winner was Marnie Millard, the former CEO of Vimto, and now leading a portfolio life as chair of UA92, where she’s one of only three people in Gary Neville’s world that the former United star listens to.
Again, Marnie has shown great generosity in her life, and typified the whole mood of the evening, indeed the week, when she reflected not just on her fortune, but the support of those around her and the opportunity to help others.
“We all get choices in life. When you have a choice in your career to do something that you really care about and you are really passionate about, that’s the best choice you can have,” she said.
Gregg’s latest choice is that he’s retired from elite sport and is studying for a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has an enormous amount to give from his insights into sport, but also a winning mindset. The love and support for him in the room last night was phenomenal.
Have a great weekend
