Thursday 7th March, the eve of International Women’s Day, saw The House of Lords play host for the official launch of 42nd Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards 2024 (WOTY). The launch marks the opening of the nomination window for the highly anticipated Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards. Entries will remain open until 30 June 2024.
Members of the Women of the Year board, including President, Writer and Actress Sally Lindsay, WOTY Ambassador and Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, Baroness Newlove, WOTY Directors Emma Elston MBE, Zalena Vandrewala, and Wendy Dean gathered at the House of Lords for prestigious event.
They were joined by several of the event’s core sponsors including headline sponsor Aldermore Bank PLC, Freeths LLP, LSH Auto, Pertemps PLC, Roland Dransfield PR and Strategi Solutions, as well as previous alumni.
The awards, which is now in its 42nd year and boast award-winning bank, Aldermore as headline sponsor for the second consecutive year, is known nationally for celebrating outstanding female role models across all areas of society and business. Winners are set to be crowned at Manchester’s Etihad on Friday 11th October, in an event that’s expected to host over 400 people.
The team revealed that two categories will be open for entries this year: Businesswoman of the Year and Freeths Woman with Edge. This year a brand-new title for one of the prestigious awards, which recognizes the events’ move to Manchester, the city where the suffragette movement began – The Emmeline Pankhurst Award – Woman of Achievement.
In the run up to the crowning ceremony in October, Women of the Year also announced a series of networking events taking place across the UK aimed at women working across different sectors including construction, manufacturing, and logistics which aim to bring together and empower women.
Commenting on the official launch, President Sally Lindsay at Women of the Year said:
“We were delighted to declare this year’s awards officially open and to be able to do this at the House of Lords, surrounded by our incredible sponsors and previous winners, all of whom are truly inspirational, was a very special way to kick this year’s event off.
“We now look forward to the nominations pouring in, taking the time to recognize the outstanding women that are pivotal to our society. We can’t wait to meet the nominees throughout the year at our various events and of course, at our much-anticipated ceremony in October, which we are delighted to be hosting in Manchester for the very first time.”
Last year’s ‘Businesswoman of the Year’ winner, Clair Heaviside said:
“This event not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of women across diverse fields but also highlights the importance of recognising their invaluable contributions to society. I am looking forward to learning of the stories that will unfold in this year’s nominations, and seeing how they go on to inspire others. Nominate a woman you know or nominate yourself. Believe me, you never know where it will take you.”
Women of the Year is a proud supporter of The Prince’s Trust, last year donating £13,000 to the charity with hopes to match, if not top, this figure for 2024. Throughout its 42-year history it has donated just under £600,000 to various charitable organisations.
To find out more about the Women of the Year Awards, book a table or to submit an entry please visit www.womenoftheyear.org.uk.
