Businesswoman urged to get their achievements recognised at awards

BUSINESSWOMEN from across the West Midlands have been urged to shed their modesty and take credit for their achievements in the 31st Women of the Year Awards.

Past winners of the event have included prominent businesswomen Karren Brady and Hilary Devey.

Awards chair Judy Groves said: “Once again we have a really strong field but I know there are women out there doing great work and achieving great things, who are often reluctant to push themselves forward.

“We would urge them – or people who work with them – not to be so modest and to help us celebrate the achievements of businesswomen. Colleagues and friends can also nominate worthy candidates.

“For some reason the businesswomen of the West Midlands appear to be the most modest.”

Julie White, managing director of Coventry-based diamond drilling and concrete sawing company D-Drill, was the winner two years ago, and is now on the judging panel.

She said: “These were the first awards we had ever entered and like many people I was a little reticent, but it has been fantastic.

“It has led to things that I could never have imagined and has opened doors for D-Drill. I would certainly recommend women to put themselves forward even if it is not normally the sort of thing they would do.”

Entries for the awards close on September 23, and organisers are hoping to attract late nominations.

This year’s event is held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday, October 11 at 10.30am.

The Woman of Achievement award will also be announced at the ceremony which was last year presented to Martine Wright, who survived the London bombings and was part of the volleyball team at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

To put forward a nomination for the Women of the Year Awards or to buy tickets, visit www.womenoftheyear.uk.com or www.womenoftheyear.org.uk