A PRESTIGIOUS event at London’s House of Commons marked the launch of a national awards campaign to celebrate some the country’s most inspirational female achievers.
The seventh Ladies First Professional Development Awards, based in Balsall Common, will highlight success stories as well as raise funds for vital cancer equipment for local hospitals at its awards ceremony in the summer.
A host of new categories are among the 20 being contested this year, including Women of Courage; Excellence In Independent Food Businesses; Excellence In Marketing and Media; Women in Property and Inclusive Leadership/Women on Boards.
The gongs are also honouring, among others, Start-up of the Year, Trailblazer/Entrepreneur; Excellence In Health and Wellbeing; Charity of the Year and Community Advocate, Family Business of the Year, Business Consultant; Excellence in professional Services; Excellence In Technology; Start-Up and Business Man of the Year. Big awards on the night will also be presented to Inspirational Women and Business Woman of the Year as well as Lifetime Achievement.
Guests at The House of Commons heard from host Meriden and Solihull East MP Saqib Bhatti, retired MP Colleen Fletcher, last year’s Business Woman of the Year Louise Adkins and hotelier Sue Cressman, whose fundraising for NHS breast cancer units is being supported by the awards this year.
The 65-year-old underwent a mastectomy ten years ago and has been continuing to give back.
To date, she is estimated to have donated more than £500k worth of state-of-the-art cancer equipment to hospitals in and around the West Midlands, including biopsy machines, localizer probes, Hilotherapy machines that reduce pain after surgery, infuser kits and garden furniture for chemotherapy units.
Sue, co-owner of Nailcote Hall Hotel in Berkswell, said: “As a founder member of Ladies First Professional Network and an ambassador, I have seen how this wonderful Ladies Group has developed over the last decade. My business was the very first venue to hold a meeting for the group.
“At this year’s launch I am pleased to announce we are raising funds for the forthcoming year to help our Local NHS Breast Cancer Units. It is our aim to purchase a specialist Mammography and Biopsy Chair for Birmingham Hospital Trust. This will give breast cancer patients a more comfortable position for this type of procedure and specialists to enable a better view for diagnosis.”
The launch event was sponsored by two of last year’s first-time award winners, Paola Spiga of Glam and Glow Beauty Lab in Hockley Heath (Start-up of the Year) and Bia Rodrigues Perry of Bia’s Kitchen Show, from Leamington (Outstanding Entrepreneur) along with David Perry Photography.
Headline sponsors for the awards are Edwards Wealth, in Berkswell; Alsters Kelley Solicitors, which has branches in Coventry and Warwickshire; Midlands-based recruitment agency Pertemps Network; IXL Centre in Southam; Bia’s Kitchen Show in Leamington and Sandhu Foods.
Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney, from Balsall Common, said: “I am hugely proud of the Ladies First community, which is about building relationships in business and friends for life.
“Although Ladies First is a woman in business network, our awards support not only women, but include businessmen, family businesses and my particular passion, mentoring young people. It felt extra special to be celebrating the achievements of so many at such an auspicious venue.”
The deadline for nominations is March 15.
Finalists will be announced on March 21 and the awards dinners will be held in June.
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