Entrepreneurs in the spotlight at Women in Business Awards 2015
“I WANT her to become whatever she wants to be,” said HSBC’s James Cliffe of his daughter Ava at the Forward Ladies Grand Final Awards held at The Queens Hotel in Leeds last Friday.
Mr Cliffe, head of UK business banking at HSBC Commercial Banking was speaking of his commitment to the United Nations-backed HeForShe campaign, spearheaded by actress Emma Watson, encouraging men to join in the campaign for gender equality.
He made a moving speech, saying “there is a lot we can learn from the next generation” recounting his daughter’s debut on the football pitch, eventually becoming ‘Man of the Match’ – a title she gladly took as it was.
Mr Cliffe said this, and the support of the other boys in the team, was something we could all learn from.
Hosted by ITV newsreader Charlene White, who ruled the crowd with an iron fist (and a fair bit of naming and shaming) and a speech from Coffee Republic founder Sahar Hashemi amongst others, the awards aimed to put entrepreneurial female business leaders in the spotlight in 11 categories from across the UK.
Every finalist had triumphed in their regional heat, and were put through the ringer by a judging panel.
Ajaz Ahmed, a judge on the deciding panel for the Forward Grand Final, founder of Freeserve and president of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, said that one thing that surprised him was that “women aren’t afraid to use psychology in their pitches.”
It was reportedly a long day at HSBC’s offices in Leeds as the judging went on in an Apprentice-style format. Mr Ahmed said that it was worth it, and that gender was “something that we as a business community need to talk about.”
The WIBAs are now in their sixth year and aim to recognise women’s contribution to the economy, highlighting the work of startups as well as women in multi-million pound companies.
Griselda Togobo, managing director at Forward Ladies, who acquired the organisation in May 2014 and formerly worked at Deloitte, said: “As an organisation committed to supporting and developing women we are delighted to have been able to enlist the support of HSBC and Microsoft who have committed to providing business support and an ICT review to all our finalists.
“Women are setting up their own businesses in unprecedented numbers and the news that women are also making strides in the boardroom signals a welcomed shift.
“We look forward to supporting more women and working with progressive companies looking to unlock the potential of women in their businesses.”
Yorkshire winners included Claire O’Connor of babyballet in Halifax and national winner of Retail Business of the Year, Sam Pearce of the Potting Shed Spa, Batley and Eastthorpe Hall, Mirfield, who took home the trophy for SME Emerging Business of the Year. Claire Turner of TLC Accountants in Wetherby also won big on the day, as did Sheffield’s Kate Krachai or Quality Context in Sheffield.
The full list of winners from the national finals is as follows:
Business Woman of the Year & SME Business of the Year (Growth – 10 or more employees) – Alexa Greaves, AAG Systems, Killamarsh.
Digital/Online Business of the Year – Sophie Taylor, Taylor Made Media, London.
Inspiring Leader of the Year – Deborah Leary, Forensic Pathways, Birmingham.
International Business of the Year – Leanne Bonner-Cooke, Ratby.
Not for Profit/Social Enterprise of the Year – Toni Esberger, Click Nottingham, Nottingham.
Rising Star of the Year – Amy Archer, Swift Leisure, Cottingham.
SME Business of the Year (Emerging – less than 10 employees) – Sam Pearce, The Potting Shed Spa Batley & Eastthorpe Hall, Mirfield.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year & special award for ‘One to Watch’- Rebecca McCann, Pro Blo Group, Birkenhead.
Special Lifetime Achievement award – Lady Michelle Mone OBE, founder of Ultimo.
