Women entrepreneurs urged to share their success stories to inspire others

FEMALE entrepreneurs, executives and company owners from across the Midlands are being urged to share their achievements in this year’s Women of the Year Awards.

The awards, one of the longest established in Britain and the largest of their kind outside London, exists to recognise the achievements of women in business and society, with the aim of promoting role models and inspiring women to reach their potential.

Judges select the Businesswoman of the Year after assessing nominations submitted by individuals and companies across Britain.

This year’s ceremony takes place on October 7 at the Hilton Metropole Hotel at the NEC.

Previous winners have come from a wide range of backgrounds and industries, including Milton Keynes’ cash machine entrepreneur Jenny Campbell, the Midlands-based industrial drilling expert Julie White, of D-Drill, and Yorkshire electronic security manufacturer Julie Kenny.

Awards chair Judy Groves said: “The next generation of role models who will increase the visibility of successful women in industry and encourage others to reach their full potential are not necessarily to be found in the high profile boardrooms of London – they are in towns and cities across the UK, running businesses that may not be high profile, but are in fact the life blood of the British economy.

“These awards are an opportunity to celebrate women who encourage others to make a difference in their company or organisation. If that describes you, I would urge you to either put yourself forward and enter, or if you know somebody too modest to take part, nominate them yourself.”

While open to entries from all industries, she said the judges were particularly interested in hearing from women involved in the engineering sector.

The awards are sponsored by Barclays, BCU, British Airways, Bentley Motors, Freeths, IXL, Pertemps, and SCC, and will this year raise funds for both Tomorrow’s People and national disability charity Revitalise.

The event is also supported by key industry organisations the Engineering Employers Federation; the Royal Aeronautical Society; the CBI; and the WMG Academy for Young Engineers at Warwick University.

The current Businesswoman of the Year, Twycross Zoo chief executive Dr Sharon Redrobe, speaking at a launch of this year’s contest at the House of Lords, said: “To have been recognised as the Businesswoman of the Year was a significant honour, which is helping to raise the profile of Twycross Zoo and also women in business.
 
“Traditionally, women have been known to downplay their achievements in the workplace, so the award is instrumental in celebrating outstanding female role models and inspiring future generations of businesswomen.
 
“As the current titleholder, I can only praise the awards and the way in which they highlight remarkable women in business – it is been a fantastic opportunity to promote myself and my business, and I personally urge women to put themselves forward for this prestigious title.”
 
Dr Redrobe is an internationally-renowned zoologist and, under her leadership, Twycross Zoo has unveiled a £55m investment programme that will transform its 34-acre site over the next 20 years, creating a landmark attraction that promises to double visitor numbers from 500,000 a year currently to one million.

Pictured at the launch of this year’s awards are, from left: Pauline Edden (Woman of the Year director), Judy Groves (Woman of the Year director), Baroness Steadman Scott (honoured by Woman of the Year for her work with charity Tomorrow’s People), Baroness Helen Newlove (Woman of Achievement 2015), Julie White (D-Drill, Woman of the Year winner 2011), Sharon Redrobe (Twycross Zoo, current Woman of the Year) and Zalena Vandrewala (Woman of the Year director).

Anyone wishing to apply or to nominate a candidate should contact Judy@rigbygroupplc.com