The Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards 2019 was officially launched at a high-profile event honouring the UK’s most inspirational female role models.
The Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards shines a light on the achievements of women in business and recognises excellence among those who strive to make a positive difference.
Guests from all backgrounds gathered at Freeths LLP in Mayfair on 28 March to mark the start of this year’s search for Business Woman of the Year nominees.
The event also welcomed Emma Elston MBE, founder and chief executive of UK Container Maintenance (UKCM), as a director to the board. Emma joins the board that includes Jenny Campbell, entrepreneur and previous star of BBC’s Dragons’ Den, Victims Commissioner of England and Wales, Baroness Helen Newlove, IT consultant Pauline Edden and Commercial Litigator, Zalena Vandrewala.
Emma said: “It is such an honour to have been invited onto the board of directors of Women of the Year which oversee this wonderful organisation, with such a fantastic and diverse history.”
Business Woman of the Year nominations are now open via the Women of the Year online form.
Nominations can be sent for entrepreneurs or members of an organisations management team from all industries and from the private and public sectors. Colleagues, family and friends can send in nominations or candidates can simply nominate themselves.
Last year saw Sally Preston, Managing Director of Kiddylicious, pick up the coveted business honour. Her tasty snacks and meals brand for children is sold in every major UK supermarket and in 26 countries worldwide.
This year’s Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards will take place at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole on Friday 25 October and will raise funds for two chosen charities – The Prince’s Trust: Women Supporting Women Initiative and Elle for Elle.
Keynote speaker will be British actress Sally Lindsay, a champion of female role models in the TV and entertainment industry.
New sponsors this year include NatWest PLC, Equistone Partners Europe Limited, and Boodles Jewellers who join long-standing supporters Freeths LLP, Pertemps, Aston University, Gordon’s Pink Gin and Strategi Solutions.
Zalena Vandrewala, chair of Women of the Year said: “The Women of the Year launch event was a tremendous success and it was great to receive so much support from our sponsors and the wider business community. The Women of the Year awards works to recognise the achievements of female trailblazers from across the UK. I would encourage everyone to look around them and nominate a woman who you think is making strides in her career today”.
