Inspirational women honoured at Awards

INSPIRATIONAL women across the Midlands have been celebrated at this year’s Woman Who... Achieves Awards.

Almost 300 industry leaders and businesswomen gathered at Coventry ‘s Coombe Abbey Hotel to recognise the valuable contribution made by the nominees.

Founded by businesswoman Sandra Garlick and her son Mark, the accolades - which are now in their third year - were set up to celebrate the impressive work of women in business, alongside the rising stars currently in education or training.

Run in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, this year’s awards attracted more than 200 entries from businesswomen across the region.

Each of the categories shone a spotlight on their achievements across a range of areas, including women who have founded a startup, women already established in business and those working towards their first career.

“The quality of entrants this year has been tremendous,” said Sandra. “It really highlights the exceptional talent we have across the Midlands region.

“These awards are incredibly important because it shines a spotlight on some truly inspirational businesswomen who are role models to the next generation of women.

“As well as raising the profile of women in business, these awards also show some of the routes into particular careers, inspire others to follow suit and highlight the endless possibilities for women in the world of business.”

The event was compered by Dave Sharpe, MC and BBC broadcaster, and Louise Stewart, head of communications for the FSB.

Keynote speakers included Holly Matthews, actress and founder of The Happy Me Project; award-winning Emma Heathcote-James, founder of the Little Soap Company; and Fleur Sexton, MD of Pet-XI and Business Woman of the Year 2017/18.

Sandra and her team also organised a raffle in aid of Coventry based Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice, raising more than £1,600 of much needed funds - which equates to 65 hours of one-to-one care.

Woman Who... Achieves Judges Recognition Award: Helen Routledge, Totem Learning

Woman Who... Achieves Internationally Award: Helen Routledge, Totem Learning; Commendation Tracey Rickard, Tracey Rickard Web Design

Woman Who... Achieves Solopreneur: Dot Reeves, Course Beetle.

Woman Who... Achieves StartUp Award: Kate Evans, Graduate Planet CIC

Woman Who... Achieves for a Charity or Social Enterprise Award: Jackie Fallon, Your Time to Dance

Woman Who... Achieves in Small Business Award (Retail & Products): Victoria Shears, The Rustic Food Company; Commendation - Moira Morriss, Moira Morriss Memorials

Woman Who... Achieves in Small Business Award (Services): Leanne Jones, Drama Tots

Woman Who... Achieves Supporting Women in Business Award: Christine Cooper, Unique Face Painting

Woman Who... Achieves Change Champion for Women in Business Award: Teresa Boughey, Jungle HR

Woman Who... Inspiring and Outstanding Leader Award: Laura McMillian, Coventry City of Culture Trust

Woman Who... Achieve through Networking Award: Julia Leask, Leask Accountancy Solutions

Woman Who... Achieves Rising Star in Secondary Education Award: Alexis Griffin, WMG Academy for Young Engineers

Woman Who... Achieves Rising Star in Further Education or Training Award: Ella Jackson, Robert Welch Designs; Commendation Lauren Delday, Primary Goal

Woman Who... Rising Star in the Creative World: Rebecca Richardson, The Northern Film School

Woman Who... Innovates through STEM Award: Louise Campton, Primary Goal

Woman Who... Achieves Growing SME: Anne-Mari Niemela of Foxprint (Shepshed); Commendation Sarah Squire, Parcelink Logistics

Woman Who... Achieves Women Working Together: Laura McMilllan, Coventry City of Culture Trust; Trish Willetts, Coventry BID and Carole Donnelly, Coventry Priory CIC