NORTH EAST’S MOST INSPIRING FEMALES SET TO BE REVEALED
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The winners of the most inspirational women in the North East will be revealed on Friday, 26 November at Newcastle Civic Centre.
Organised by North East England Chamber of Commerce, there are five main categories Inspiring Female, Inspiring Employer, Apprentice of the Year, Inspiring Female Business Leader and Community and CSR Inspiring Female of the Year.
Ashley Carney, Chamber events executive, who runs the awards said: “The standard of entries for our first Inspiring Females awards has been fantastic. We have received recommendations from over 100 businesswomen’s colleagues and friends, who are based all over the region. The pandemic has created many challenges for women in particular and these awards recognise what everyone has done to support each other as well as the whole region’s business community. It will be tremendous to be able to all get together in person to celebrate so many achievements and successes.”
Among those shortlisted for the Community and CSR award is Sharon Appleby, who is chief executive of Sunderland BID. She worked tirelessly to support the city’s businesses during the pandemic in particular and ensured residents and visitors were encouraged to shop there with imaginative activities and events.
Donna McCann-Turner and Kimberley Cattin, the mother-daughter duo who founded West Barn Co, are in the running for the ‘Global Inspiring Employer’.
Set up in 2016, West Barn Co, a cosmetics and skincare company based in Durham, is going from strength to strength with a recent office move and expansion, a high profile product launch event as well as securing luxury retail stockists such as Urban Outfitters, Liberty London and Harrods.
West Barn Co sells a range of brow and skin prep products around the world through their ecommerce site, that are used and loved by professional makeup artists and celebrities alike.
On the shortlist for Inspiring Female for Chamber Partner and President’s club members is Joscelin Lawson, director of people and development, Northumbria Police. She has worked for the force for 30 years, starting as a trainer and has been a strong advocate for inclusion, diversity and well-being during her career. Her colleagues value her passion for being a people champion as well as improving engagement throughout the workforce.
The Chamber awards associate sponsor is Bernicia.