Norfolk Chamber is urging Norfolk and Suffolk’s successful women from every sector to show their support for women in business by celebrating their achievements at one of the country’s longest running awards ceremonies.
Now in their 33rd year, the annual Women of the Year Awards highlight and celebrate women’s successes in business and society, promoting role models and inspiring women to reach their potential.
Now, with nominations for the Businesswoman of the Year still open, the event’s supporters are urging Britain’s leading female executives and entrepreneurs to encourage others by putting themselves forward or nominating colleagues whose achievements deserve greater notice.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “As we work to inspire our young people it is more important than ever that our women leaders and their achievements are more visible.
“If you are a business leader, who happens to be a woman with a story to tell or work with somebody that answers that description, we urge you to step forward and be seen. All it requires is an email.”
Apprentice star Karren Brady, a former winner, also lent her voice to the call: “The Woman of the Year awards are an important opportunity to celebrate the many examples of women who are wonderful business role-models. It is critical that women in senior positions who are creating and leading businesses are recognised – not only for their own efforts and achievements but also to inspire future generations.
“The only way more women are going to be in the boardrooms of the future are if there are a wide range of role-models now who lead by example. Awards like Woman of the Year provide a perfect showcase and as a former winner myself, I can testify personally the positive experience it provides. I would urge women to put themselves forward and enter this year’s awards.”
The event has earned the support of a wide range of business organisations including the Engineering Employers Federation and the Royal Aeronautical Society, and participation can have a hugely positive impact on both the nominees’ business profiles and their bottom line.
“On a very practical level, there’s no doubt that even being nominated for an award can contribute directly to your bottom line. It boosts your business profile as a whole and lends credibility, attracting new opportunities within a wider market,” says 2011 Businesswoman of the Year winner Julie White, Managing Director of D-Drill.
“I was initially reluctant to put myself forward, but winning has had a huge impact and since then I’ve received a lot of media attention, appearing on a range of shows from the Daily Politics to Question Time. It’s taken me to places I thought I’d never see, and has given me a platform to both raise the profile of my industry and discuss the issues affecting it.”
To lodge a nomination for the Businesswoman of the Year Award, email Award Chair Judy Groves, at [email protected] Full details https://womenoftheyear.org.uk/img/wotynomform.pdf
Closing date for nominations is September 11, 2015.
The 2015 winner will be announced exclusively at the Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards ceremony on Friday, October 9 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole near the NEC. The Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards attracts several hundred high-profile guests which have in the past included Lord Digby Jones, Dragon’s Den panelist Hilary Devey, and guest speaker Britain’s double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes MBE.
There will be plenty of time to network at the 33rd successive year of the eagerly-anticipated awards when funds will once again be raised for two official charities and there will also be an opportunity to shop in a select number of boutique stores. All finalists will be invited to attend the Luncheon and Awards as the guests of the Awards Chair.
To buy tickets for the luncheon event, visit: www.womenoftheyearawards.org.uk.
The Supported Charities
Tomorrow’s People
Tomorrow’s People is dedicated to helping disadvantaged adults and young people find and retain employment, with a focus on improving the long-term work prospects of those who face the greatest barriers to work. The charity’s vision is to break the cycle of unemployment and dependency in deprived communities throughout the UK, transforming lives by ‘re-skilling’ the long-term unemployed.
Revitalise
Revitalise is a national charity providing essential services for the disabled, visually impaired and their carers. The charity runs three centres nationwide, offering short-breaks with 24-hour care and personal support in relaxed surroundings.
