Businesswoman of the Year tells her story

Businesswoman of the year:

Leading by example

Niche’s Businesswoman of the Year is leading the way in sustainability and equal opportunities. She joined me, Emily to Emily, to tell us what it takes to make lasting change

WORDS BY EMILY MILLER

What must it feel like to receive an accolade like Businesswoman of the Year, I ask Niche Business Awards 2022 winner Emily Smith. “Well, it was an honour, especially when you consider how many incredible businesswomen we have here in Leicester.” When I raise the question of what it takes to gain that kind of recognition, the answer is ever so slightly lengthier, but revealing in a way that shows her to be not only deserving of the title, but inspirational with it.

“From the age of 13, I went into my single mum’s place of work and learned from her that working was not only important, but that it could provide a sense of achievement. I have worked towards that ever since.”

She’s now the managing director at laser cutting firm AVW Fabrications as well as the finance and operations director at manufacturers Michael Smith Switchgear. The starting point of her career began as an apprentice.

Emily signed up to an apprenticeship to become an accountant, knowing that this way of learning would not only suit her learning style more, but that it would lead to first-hand experience in the field in which she was training.

This is how she gets her motivation, and therefore her success, by learning from doing. And she believes fervently that by supporting those who want to do the same, she’s helping to create equal opportunity in the workplace.

I am a firm believer in the saying that ‘there’s no prosperity in a dead world’

“I work with a number of schemes as well as an enterprise advisor to be an advocate for careers and apprenticeship opportunities in schools and colleges, encouraging people to learn their trade in other ways, perhaps outside of a university setting.

“Not everyone works well on the typical academia path – and often those people get left behind. I want to do all I can to show those people that there is another route to success.”

Applying this mentality to her own working life has meant she often undertakes further training, studying different roles and working alongside those she manages, to understand each process from the inside out.

“It’s instinctual for me, in order to understand the processes I’m putting in place, I know that I need to be part of it in some way to ensure that what I’m implementing works in real life.”

The application of her skillset has been part of Michael Smith Switchgear’s growth, enabling the company to continuously improve its processes, efficiency, communication and employee satisfaction.

The night Emily picked up the award for Businesswoman of the Year also saw Michael Smith Switchgear win Eco Excellence. With Emily at its helm, she’s led the way for the company’s commitment to sustainability in a sector notoriously environmentally damaging.

Partnering with Carbon Neutral Britain to offset their carbon emissions, the company has taken huge steps to become an eco-friendly company.

“I am a firm believer in the saying that ‘there’s no prosperity in a dead world’. My mum brought me up to commit to sustainability and I have applied my commitment to Michael Smith Switchgear that has allowed us to become carbon-neutral – I can sleep well at night knowing that I have done the best I can for the business and the planet!”

Not one to rest on her laurels, Emily is now utilising and expanding her skill set at AVW Fabrications Limited, a sister company of Michael Smith Switchgear. “I love a challenge and honestly can’t simply sit back when things are good. I need to keep evolving and my role as Managing Director at AVW is enabling me to do exactly that.”

She closes our chat heralding the people around her: “The people I work with, they are a huge part of what drives me forward; that and my desire to learn and help others to do the same.”

I for one feel motivated and inspired by our chat and have a feeling that she has this effect on everyone.

For more inspirational content connect with Emily on linkedin.com/in/emily-smith-avwf.