Chamber honours region’s most inspiring females
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The region’s most inspiring females and businesses have been given top honours at our popular Inspiring Females Awards.
The awards celebrate the region’s best businesswomen who are making a difference in their field, and took place in front of nearly 400 guests at the Newcastle Civic Centre.
Award categories included Outstanding Contribution to the North East Award, Most Inspiring Employer, Apprentice of the Year and, new for 2023, One to Watch.
Alix Bolton, chair of the Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Forum and HR director at Walker Filtration Group, said: “The Chamber’s Inspiring Females Awards aim to recognise truly inspiring females across the North East England business community. Those who make a difference to their businesses and colleagues, to their community and to our fantastic region.
“Through the Inspiring Females programme of events, women in the North East can promote and share more inclusive business practices to break down gender disparity and ensure everyone can unlock their true potential.”
Ashley Carney, Chamber events manager, said: “A huge congratulations to everyone who won an award or was nominated at our Inspiring Females Awards 2023 – you’re all truly inspiring.”
The award for Outstanding Contribution to the North East was given to Lucy Winskell OBE LL for the huge impact she’s had in a significant number of regional roles, including Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear, and her focus on the economic growth and regeneration of the North East.
Lucy said: “I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I am. I’m so fantastically pleased, fantastically humbled. It means a huge amount to me to win this award.
“We’ve heard so many great speeches today about the need to continue to support women because things aren’t as they should be yet in the workplace, so these awards celebrate achievement, and they give us inspiration.
“It’s fantastic to create this supportive, mentoring environment, it’s a great thing to be involved with, and it’s such good fun!”
The coveted Business Leader of the Year award was awarded to CEO Brenda McLeish OBE DL, who has spearheaded transformative growth at Learning Curve Group. Vikki Jackson-Smith, from J&B Recycling, was highly commended in the same category.
Claire Anderson of George Smith scooped Apprentice of the Year, and Erica Johnson from Aircon Group picked up the Community and CSR Inspiring Female award for her work in heading impactful initiatives, including a company social value policy and ISO certification.
Most Inspiring Female in the small business category was awarded to Natalie Collins, who founded charity The Women’s Liberation Collective, and small business Inspiring Employer went to theatre company Northern Stage.
Surbhi Vedhara, managing partner at law firm Sweeney Miller LLP, was named Inspiring Female in the medium business category, while duty manager Charlotte Birkett, from Newcastle International Airport, picked up the Chamber’s new One to Watch award for her work in overseeing the entire airport operation and inspiring others.
An award was also presented to the most Inspiring Employer large business and was given to law firm Muckle LLP for their work around supporting female talent and creating an inclusive and supportive workplace.
The Inspiring Female for the large business category was won by Alison Maynard from New College Durham for her commitment to career progression routes for students, staff development and collaborative partnerships.
Female entrepreneurs who trade internationally were also recognised, with the Inspiring Female international business award going to Husqvarna’s manufacturing director Caraline Robinson.
Jenny Allinson, director of corporate governance at our 2023 associate awards sponsor Bernicia, said: “At Bernicia we aim to be a really good, fair employer for everybody, and that work never stops because we know how important it is. It makes us a better stronger, organisation, so that’s why we’re really proud to sponsor these awards.”
The awards ceremony included a performance by Gateshead College students, as well as a special inclusive performance from theatre school and charity True Colours. The school teaches dance and theatre skills to 500 children and young adults weekly, many of whom have disabilities and learning needs. A recent DIY SOS special saw Nick Knowles and Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke team up to help transform the True Colours performing arts school.
Now in its third year, the awards ceremony took place on 24 November and was hosted by North East advocate and former BBC senior journalist Charlie Charlton.
The drinks reception was sponsored by Hargreaves, and award categories were sponsored by Intuit, NatWest, Hargreaves, Hartlepool College, Robson Laidler, North of Tyne Combined Authority, Nissan, Handelsbanken and Broad Chare Partners.
Our next Business Awards will take place in summer 2024 at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.