Jacqueline is flying high after award
The hand at the helm of a leading Renfrewshire travel agency has been named as Scotland’s Inspirational Woman of the Year.
In what has been a difficult year for the industry, Barrhead Travel’s Jacqueline Dobson has emerged victorious from the annual Business Women Scotland (BWS) Awards.
She was handed the accolade at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow’s Oran Mor venue on Friday before an audience of more than 100 guests who attended to celebrate Scotland’s leading business women and their successes.
Jacqueline, who is president of Barrhead Travel, was commended by judges for her advocacy work representing the Scottish travel industry, her unwavering commitment and respect to colleagues and her leadership within Glasgow’s business community.
She was also shortlisted for Business Woman of the Year after her company’s directors nominated her for the award.
In their nomination, they said: “Throughout the pandemic, Jacqueline has been an extraordinary champion for her colleagues and peers across the travel industry.
“She wholeheartedly prioritised her teams and safeguarded the well-being of her employees.
“Her creative thinking, steadiness and determination to drive positive change has navigated Barrhead Travel during the most tumultuous crisis that our industry has ever seen.”
They added: “Above all else, it is Jacqueline’s loyalty and belief in her people that make her a truly powerful and inspiring leader.”
Jacqueline says she feels “honoured” to stand in a room amongst other inspiring female business leaders.
She said: “Being a woman in business still has its challenges.
“But, to be surrounded by so many resilient female leaders who are making waves in their fields and helping to pave the way for the next generation of women in business is really uplifting.
“I am grateful to my team for nominating me for this award.
“Any recognition is only achieved through teamwork and I am privileged to work with such a talented and supportive group of colleagues.”
Earlier this year, she was awarded the Contribution to Travel award by Travel Trade Gazette at their annual Top 50 Awards ceremony.
The award paid tribute to outstanding work within the travel industry during the pandemic.
BWS said the most recent award was awarded to: “A woman who has made an outstanding impact on the business landscape in Scotland. The nominee should be someone who is both inspirational and a role model”.
Barrhead Travel is now a nationwide business but retains its registered office in the town itself.
I am grateful to my team for nominating me for this award
Jacqueline Dobson