Tag Archives: womeninbusiness

International Women's Day, News

Trailblazing Women Share Their Journeys at Parliament for International Women’s Day

Some of Britain’s most inspiring women took centre stage at the House of Commons for a night of powerful speeches, career reinvention stories, and a celebration of women breaking barriers in business and society.

The event, Inspirational Journeys of Women Shaping Careers, Businesses, and Society, brought together leading professionals, entrepreneurs, and advocates to mark International Women’s Day. Hosted by MP Bob Blackman CBE, the evening was a platform for women who have reshaped industries, overcome challenges, and championed diversity and inclusion.

Stories of Reinvention and Resilience

The panel featured four extraordinary women who have carved out successful careers while driving change in their respective fields:

  • Leena Savjani, a Partner at Irwin Mitchell, has spent her career fighting for patients’ rights, ensuring justice for those impacted by medical negligence.
  • Dr. Tamra Nathan, a medical doctor and author, has dedicated her life to making medical knowledge more accessible, with her acclaimed book on anatomy.
  • Monica Juneja, a former Managing Director at Accenture, shared her remarkable journey of leaving a 20-year corporate career to retrain as a psychotherapist.
  • Heeral Shah, a senior banking executive, reflected on her 25-year career in finance and her role as a champion for Diversity & Inclusion, paving the way for future female leaders in a male-dominated sector.

Their candid insights struck a chord with the audience, highlighting the importance of reinvention, perseverance, and lifting others up along the way.

Why Representation Matters

One of the event’s organisers, Param Singh MBE, said:

“This event is about celebrating the incredible women who are breaking barriers, leading industries, and shaping a more inclusive future. Their stories prove that resilience and reinvention are key to success.”

Diversity in leadership was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Speakers stressed that mentorship, equal opportunities, and challenging outdated workplace norms are essential to creating a fairer society.

International Recognition and Lasting Impact

The initiative has already received international acclaim, having been featured at the Faith and Belief Community Awards and the World Economic Forum’s Faith in Action report at Davos.

Attendees left feeling inspired and energised, with the evening concluding in a lively networking session, where guests discussed ideas, potential collaborations, and ways to drive meaningful change in their fields.

With gender equality still a work in progress, events like this serve as a powerful reminder that celebrating success stories and supporting one another is key to shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.

About the Organisers:

  • City Hindus: A not-for-profit organisation promoting networking and charity among Hindu professionals.
  • City Sikhs: A progressive UK-based charity fostering inclusivity and celebrating diversity.
  • The Association of Asian Women Lawyers (AAWL): A network supporting legal professionals from diverse backgrounds.
  • The India League: Promotes UK-India ties and addresses diaspora issues.
  • The Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP): Supports UK-based entrepreneurs scaling businesses globally.
Awards, News

Women of the Year announces Business Woman of the Year finalists ahead of 40th anniversary awards

The Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards has unveiled its shortlist of eight inspiring women for the Business Woman of the Year award, as the prestigious ceremony prepares to return for its 40th anniversary year.

One of the UK’s longest running annual awards, the esteemed organisation celebrates the achievements of exceptional women, and highlights individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their business, sector or wider community.

The Business Woman of the Year award is designed to celebrate the success of an individual making transformational changes within their organisation or sector.

The winner will be announced at the 40th anniversary of the annual awards ceremony, taking place on Friday 1 April 2022 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, after a couple of years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards 2022 is set to welcome over 650 professionals from the private and public sectors.

This year’s impressive shortlist of eight finalists includes business leaders inspired by their own personal experiences and those dedicated to supporting and uplifting others to achieve their ambition. In light of the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the achievements of this year’s finalists are testament to their ongoing commitment and drive.

The 2022 Business Woman of the Year finalists are:

  • Carmel McKinney OBE – Chairperson / Non-Executive Director – N.I. Fire and Rescue Service: the first ever female Chairperson of the Fire and Rescue Service of Northern Ireland, with a purpose to protect the local community
  • Codilia Gapare – CEO – Nakawo Ltd: a company revolutionising the beauty industry, creating bespoke products tailor-made for cancer and alopecia patients
  • Elizabeth Lawal – Founder – More Than A Moment Group: a partnership promoting investment into the Black creative workforce, enabling under-represented communities to engage with arts and culture
  • Leanne Bonner-Cooke – Founder / CEO – e-Bate Limited: a game-changing software solution allowing procurement and finance teams to streamline their processes and drive efficiency
  • Dr Mary Hardwick – Founding Director – Inspire2tri Community Interest Company: a sports, fitness and rehabilitation business serving local residents, clubs and community groups to help them realise their sporting and fitness goals
  • Noor Kimit – Owner – Seaworthy Consulting Ltd: providing expert solutions for the maritime industry with a decade of experience in international maritime recruitment
  • Stephnie Judge – Managing Director – Victorian Plumbing: the UK’s leading online specialist bathroom brand by revenue, offering a one-stop solution for B2C and trade customers
  • Suzanne Linton – CEO – Freestyle Interactive: a digital product studio which designs and builds digital applications, tools, websites and mobile apps, and places employee development and well-being at the heart of the business

The final shortlist was put forward by the Women of the Year Board, which includes the organisation’s newly appointed board directors Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, Jennie Johnson MBE and Fleur Sexton DL.

Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, CEO of Twycross Zoo and WOTY director, said: “We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Business Woman of the Year award, one of our most prestigious accolades. This year’s finalists are women of huge talent, skill and determination – who are not only motivated by their own personal goals, but also by championing and inspiring their employees, local communities and fellow business leaders – even in the midst of a global pandemic. By building up others we can all achieve great success and this year’s finalists are a wonderful testament to that.”

Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards was established in 1982 as a ladies’ luncheon to raise vital funds for charitable causes and to highlight and celebrate the many and varied achievements of women.

Since then, the annual awards have gone from strength to strength both as an event and as a movement to promote women’s achievements. Over the last four decades, winners have included Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Katie Piper, Dame Asha Khemka DBE (Principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College) and British Paralympian, Martine Wright MBE.

Zalena Vandrewala, chair of the Awards, added: “After two years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and as we mark our 40th anniversary, this year’s awards ceremony will feel particularly poignant. We are so excited to celebrate the incredible achievements of women, to share their stories and to inspire others to follow their lead.”

All proceeds from this year’s Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards will go directly to charity, with just under £600,000 raised to date. For 2022, the event will support The Prince’s Trust: Women Supporting Women Initiative, a passionate group of supporters who are committed to changing the lives of young women, and NHS Charities Together which continues to support our NHS in the life saving work that they do.

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit www.womenoftheyear.org.uk.

Awards, News

Women of the Year announces new directors and launches 40th anniversary awards

One of the UK’s longest running annual awards, the Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards is celebrating the appointment of three new directors as it prepares to return for its 40th anniversary next year.  

Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, Jennie Johnson MBE and Fleur Sexton DL are the new faces at the helm of Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards, which celebrates the achievements of exceptional women, and highlights individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their business, their sector or their wider community.

Sharon, Jennie and Fleur join the annual awards board of directors, which now comprises seven women from a wide range of sectors and businesses, including Entrepreneur Jenny Campbell and Founder and CEO of UK Container Maintenance, Emma Elston MBE.

Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, battles against the extinction of great apes and other critically endangered species as CEO of Twycross Zoo and also sits as the chair of Ape Action Africa. Fleur Sexton DL is Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, and strives to transform the lives of people across the West Midlands region through education and employment, while Jennie Johnson MBE is CEO and co-founder of My First 5 Years. All three women are previous winners of the illustrious Business Woman of the Year Award.

The 40th anniversary of the annual awards ceremony will take place on Friday 1st April 2022 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, after a year of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards 2022 is set to welcome over 650 professionals from the private and public sectors.

To celebrate its return and welcome its newly appointed directors, Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards held an exclusive launch event for 65 guests last week (04 Nov). The Award’s new president, British actress and writer Sally Lindsay, was also in attendance to mark the special occasion.

Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards was established in 1982 as a ladies’ luncheon to raise vital funds for charitable causes and to highlight and celebrate the many and varied achievements of women.

Since then, the annual awards have gone from strength to strength both as an event and as a movement to promote women’s achievements. Over the last four decades, winners have included Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Katie Piper, Dame Asha Khemka DBE (Principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College) and British Paralympian, Martine Wright MBE.

Of her new role, Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE said: “I’m extremely honoured and delighted to join the board of directors of The Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards in a year which sees it celebrating its 40th anniversary.

“The past year (in fact nearer two…) has been incredibly difficult for so many people, so I’m excited to be part of these awards and look forward to recognising the extraordinary achievements of many inspirational women and the outstanding contribution they have made to society in their field of work over the past two years.”

Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards takes place on Friday 1 April 2022 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole. All proceeds from the event will go directly to charity, with over £500,000 raised to date. For 2022, the event will support The Prince’s Trust: Women Supporting Women Initiative, a passionate group of supporters who are committed to changing the lives of young women, and NHS Charities Together which continues to support our NHS in the life saving work that they do.

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit www.womenoftheyear.org.uk.