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East Midlands Women’s Awards 2019
Highlights
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The Awards - Our Story The Women’s Awards started as the East Midlands Women’s Awards (EMWA) in 2017. Our goal was to recognise and celebrate the work and achievements of women in the East Midlands counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. These prestigious awards and glamorous annual events were the brainchild of multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Sandra Pollock. Her wish was to bring recognition to the contributions women make across all sectors of business, the community and society, and provide support to girls and women through further programmes.
Original EMWA logo The awards have seen remarkable success since its launch. Nominations saw a 33% increased in the second year alone, and increased by 73% last year. Attendance to our award ceremonies have raised by around a third with each year. Our social media presence over the past year has sky-rocketed, increasing by over 300%. We are also pleased to note that many of our sponsors have chosen to return each year to support our great endeavour.
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EMWA 2019 Introduction
EMWA’s third year saw an astounding turnout, with 109 nominations and an attendance of 205 people on the night. The Awards Ceremony was held at the glamorous Colwick Hall in Nottingham, who provided our guests with a excellent three-course meal and wine, and was hosted BBC Radio Leicester presenters Rupal Rajani and Dave Andrews. It was also an absolute honour to have the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, attending on the night as our special guest. Founder of the Awards, Sandra Pollock, stated she was blown away with sheer amount of nominations we received. “[It was] an incredible evening celebrating and recognising the work these amazing women - and supporting men - do in our communities.”
“It’s so important that these incredible women are honoured, because they’re doing such wonderful work in the community, and I think [...] people are realising that women have just as much - if not sometimes more to offer than men. And it’s a wonderful occasion, too.” - Yvette Price-Mear, EMWA Alumni
Thank you to Colwick Hall for having us, and for your excellent service
The Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, speaking on the night
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Our Headline Sponsor: Glynis Wright & Co.
Our headline sponsor for the EMWA 2019 awards was Glynis Wright & Co Family Solicitors. Founder, Glynis Wright herself was the winner of the first EMWA’s ‘Outstanding Female Entrepreneur’ and ‘East Midlands Inspirational Female Leader’ awards in 2017, making her a member of our Alumni, which launched in 2019. Our dearest thanks to her for sponsoring us and attending on the night. Glynis Wright speaking onstage on the night
"When you win something like this, it means so much to you that you do want to give back yourself."
Also the President of the Leicestershire Law Society, when Glynis was nominated for the ‘Outstanding Female Entrepreneur 2017’ award, she had been running Glynis Wright and Co. for 6 years, seeing it grow tremendously. “I had huge challenges," she told our guests on the night,"So winning the Awards gave me that hugely special boost that sometimes you need in business, just to revive your belief in yourself.” Glynis wanted to "pay [her] personal tribute" to Sandra, calling her "a woman who truly wants to help women up the ‘greasy pole’, unselfishly and tirelessly.” She said she considers the Women's Awards so special since they allow us to share, inspire each other, encourage each other and say ‘just keep going’.
“I would say, ladies, keep on dreaming, allow those dreams to get scarier and scarier - and go for it!”
Glynis Wright and Sandra Pollock, about to present the final award of the night
Glynis Wright with the winner of the East Midland Inspirational Female Leader Award 2019, Claire Twells
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Winners Outstanding Woman of Community Impact Charity & Voluntary Award 2019 Winner: Maria Hanson MBE The first award of the night went to Maria Hanson MBE, founder of the me&dee charity. Our charity of 2019, me&dee is dedicated to creating holidays and valuable quality time for families and children in life-changing or life-limiting situations. Sammy Nour, Director of Inspiring You CIC, came onstage to hand Maria her award and trophy. After being nominated at the #EMWA2019 so very proud to have won ‘Outstanding Woman with Community Impact’ - Maria Hanson, @MeandDeeUK on Twitter, 12 Oct 2019
Maria has run me&dee for thirteen years Winner, Maria Hanson MBE, with with only a small team, all whilst disabled and Sammy Nour, Director of Inspiring being in-and-out of hospital frequently for You CIC treatment and life-saving surgeries. She deals with every family me&dee supports personally to not only give them the dream holiday, but support them during and after passings. A truly moving and inspirational act of compassion.
Finalist: Sue McEniff Our finalist for this award was Sue McEniff, the Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Charity Link. Driven to use her commercial skills to help those in need, she joined Charity Link in 2008 as Fundraising Manager, being promoted to Director of Marketing and Fundraising in 2010. Sue has gone to great lengths to modernise the charity and garner funds, raising over £1.5m and generating £8.5m in funds for 55,000 local people & children in need.
Thank you to Inspiring You CIC for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Woman in Art, Media and Music Award 2019 Winner: Kelly McCormack Our second award of the night went to Kelly McCornack. Being an Event Manager for University of Leicester, Film Producer for GM Finney Productions, Performer for Skytribe Studios, Director of Social Enterprise Iconic Music Dance Drama Ltd and Trustee for Voluntary Action Leicester, it is clear how expansive Kelly's talents are. Kevin Urquhart of DLuXe Magazine came onstage to present the award.
Winner, Kelly McCormack, with Kevin Urquhart, DLuXe Magazine
Kelly told interviewers as the event how “overwhelmed” she was with shock and excitement when her name was called - “my mind drew a bit of a blank. Rupal asked me to say some words and I just couldn’t think of anything!”
“I moved to Leicester in 2014, and since then I’ve been involved in [lots of] different films, events and projects[...]. I love Leicester; I love the East Midlands. There’s so much creativity happening, and I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else.”
Finalist: Abbi Burns
Our finalist for this award was Abbi Burns. Abbi runs Darley Dance Productions, a professional dance and entertainment company based in Derbyshire. Abbi has been involved in dance and performing arts from a very young age, and has choreographed professional dances for everything from musical theatre and corporate events to sports events and film.
Thank you to Dluxe Magazine for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding BAME Female Leader of the Year Award 2019 Winner: Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan won this year’s Outstanding BAME Female Leader of the Year Award. Founder of both the multiaward winning Zinthiya Trust and She Inspires (Global), Zinthiya does a ton of work supporting and empowering women and girls across Leicestershire and beyond, particularly from ethic minority groups. Mark Esho , Chair of East Midlands Black Business Network (EMBBN) came to present the award. Zinthiya is an avid campaigner and activist against violence towards women. This award is now part of an impressive list of awards she and the Zinthiya Trust have obtained over the years, including the Leicestershire Asian Business Association ‘Challenge and Aspiration’ award in 2015, and Leicester Mercury Women in Business ‘Inspirational Woman of the year’ Award in 2016. Speaking to interviewers, Zinthiya mentioned the importance of female role models in our society:
Winner, Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan, with Mark Esho, Chair of East Midlands Black Business Network (EMBBN)
“It’s important for women to be recognised, but also to create positive role-models so that younger generations [...] can recognise the work that we do, but equally be a part of this society.”
Finalist: Farhana Sheikh Farhana Sheiikh was our finalist for the Outstanding BAME Female Leader of the Year Award this year. Farhana, Head of Operations for Clifton Packaging, is more widely known for the pro-active role she plays in her community. She has done everything from fundraising to support the vulnerable both in the UK and overseas, to encouraging and inspiring women and girls ambitious and to live fulfilling and inspiring lives.
Thank you to East Midlands Black Business Network (EMBBN) for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Senior Female Executive Award 2019 Winner: Claire Twells Claire Twells was EMWA 2019’s Outstanding Senior Female Executive. Sandra Pollock, this time representing her company, Open Mind Training and Development, came onstage to pressent the award. Claire Twells has become one of the faces of Derby. Also a Partner at Smith Partnership, heading the Debt recovery and Business Development departments, Claire leads the support of business and charities around the city. As a lawyer, she’s passionate about winning justice for her clients, and will even offer free advise to businesses. She dispels the cold image of a lawyer, participating in much of Derby life. Winner, Claire Twells, with Sandra Pollock, Founder of Open Mind Training and Development
“To be recognised, as a female executive in the East Midlands, is really, really important. There’s a lot of women in the East Midland who have amazing positions, and to be nominated, and then to win, is again just amazing.” - Claire Twells
Finalist: Claire-Marie Cuthbert Our finalist for this award was Claire-Marie Cuthbert. Claire-Marie was recognised in this category for being the youngest female CEO of multi academy trust in the country, having overcome unfortunate adversity of such a male-dominated area.
Thank you to Open Mind Training and Development for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Women in Education Award 2019 Winner: Claire-Marie Cuthbert The winner of this award was Claire-Marie Cuthbert. We’ve already seen from the previous award of her amazing feat as a CEO. Yet Claire-Marie’s passions also lie in the education sector. As CEO in Conversation at Forum Strategy, Claire-Marie has helped to turn around several failing schools, including the Evolve Trust academy Trust, which has now received a NGA Award at Houses of Parliament. She has also featured during schoolweeks weeks for her innovations on leadership. On top of all of this, she is an accomplished author, with her most recent publication, 10%braver, a book on female leadership and breaking the glass ceiling, being a number-one best seller.
Winner, Claire-Marie Cuthbert, with Pete Ellse, Director of Cosy Direct
Finalist: Wendy Colebourne Our finalist for this award was Wendy Colebourne. Headteacher of Harrington Nursery School, Co - Director of Derby Early Years Teaching School and National Support School, Wendy is deeply passionate about giving children strong life foundations in their early years.
Thank you to Cosy Direct for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Female Entrepreneur Award 2019 Winner: Amanda Strong The award of Outstanding Female Entrepreneur went to Amanda Strong, owner of Mercia Image Print. Amanda was unfortunately unable to be there on the night, so her colleague, Paul Ross, came up to collect her award, presented by Rajesh Modha, Director of Finance Lab.
Paul Ross (collecting for Amanda Strong), with Rajesh Modha, Director of Finance Lab
Amanda founded Mercia Image Print in 1989, and it has since grown into Derby’s largest and most successful commercial printer. Amanda’s ‘never say never; never say can’t’ attitude has guided the business through difficult times, and in 2019 the company celebrated its 30th successful year in business.
Amanda Strong
Amanda later expressed her delight at having won on her twitter page: ‘Well I am lost for words! I sadly had to miss the East Midlands Womens Awards where I was nominated for ‘Outstanding Female Entrepreneur’. And I’ve only gone and won it! To say I’m so delighted and in shock is an understatement. Many thanks for all the support #EMWA2019’ Amanda Strong @AmandastrongMI
Finalist: Estelle Keeber
Our finalist for this award was Estelle Keeber, co-founder of the Mums in Business Association, currently the fastest-growing mums in business network in the world. In its first two years, the association has grown to over 40,000 members worldwide, with a thriving online community.
Thank you to Finance Lab for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Women in Professional Services Award 2019 Winner: Nisha Tanna We had a ton of nominees for Outstanding Women in Professional Services last year. But after much deliberation, it was awarded to Nisha Tanna, Director of Dyslexia Diagnostics and Beyond Breast Cancer. Bev Sankey came onstage to present Nisha with this award. A registered and chartered Psychologist, Nisha has spent the last nineteen years dedicating herself to working with children and adults with mental health Winner, Nisha Tanna, with Bev and learning challenges. She offers Sankey a wide range of services, including psycho-educational and dyslexia assessments, skills coaching, workplace assessments, and psychological therapies. She has also been praised for offering free hours of support for breast-cancer sufferers and dyslexia screening for children from poor and struggling families.
Finalist: Bhumika Parmar The finalist for this award was Bhumika Parmar, director of the BP Legal Solicitors. Starting ten years ago in just a small and with only one computer, Bhumika has since grown her company to house three qualified solicitors, a trainee solicitor and support staff. Bhumika’s company specialises in immigration, family and conveyancing, and she strives to give utmost care for her clients, by ensuring her service is accessible at all times.
Thank you to Bev Sankey for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Female Leader in an Market Town Award 2019 Winner: Lucy Lewin The winner of this award was Lucy Lewin. Sonia Thompson, National Chair of Women in Management UK (WiMUK), came to present the award. Lucy has been an active member of Uppingham’s community since she moved there in 2002. She has become one of the town’s active and outstanding female leader. This culminaed in her election to Uppingham Town Council in 2019.
Winner, Lucy Lewin, with Sonia Thompson, National Chair of WiMUK
Lucy also owns the Little Angels (Uppingham) Ltd, a day nursery set up in 2010 while studying childcare. Recently, Little Angels has began to offer drop in sessions, baby massage and messy-play sessions to the public. Her leadership has helped lots of families, including the disabled, disadvantaged, new mums, grandparents and child-minders.
Finalist: Felicity Francis Felicity Francis, founder of Talk Results, was the finalist of this award. Felicity launched Talk Results at the age of 25 as a flexible, affordable and script free telemarketing company. She later opened Talk Networking, a relaxed monthly networking event to support the local economy. Each company had been successfully running for ten and nine years respectively. Felicity is dedicated to the interests of her clients and local businesses, always willing to give advice on marketing and spending many hours on the phone with those in need of her expertise, sharing her ideas to help them grow.
Thank you to Women in Management UK for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Women in Care Services Award 2019 Winner: Sue Grogan Our award for Outstanding Women in Care Services 2019 went to Sue Grogan. Sue founded Joined-Up Working in 2010, and has years of prior experience in the Care sector under her belt. Director and Secretary of Uppingham First, Ron Simpson BEM, was onstage to present the award. On the night, she expressed her pride in taking home the award, saying she didn’t think she was going to win. “I think it’s incredibly important to recognise firstly that women can achieve in what is sometimes a man’s world, but also just the range of different services [...] that people do, and that they are all being done by women.” - Sue Grogan
Winner, Sue Grogan, with Ron Caring for those in need is in Sue’s blood. Simpson BEM, Director and Her new business, Joined-Up Working, aims Secretary of Uppingham First to support those juggling life with care responsibilities, such as caring for the elderly, or for children and adults with learning disabilities, mental ill health or a chronic long term illness. She believes that the best care comes from working with others who specialise in services others don’t, and as such links carers with the information and services they need.
Finalist: Justina Nurse This award’s finalist was Justina Nurse, who runs Stuart Mobility with her husband. Stuart Mobility supplies high quality rise and recline chairs, healthcare chairs and specialist seating. Stuart Mobility was set up in light of Justina's ten year-old son, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age six. The company supplies to people’s homes, nursing and care homes, the NHS, hospices and various independent charities and groups.
Thank you to Uppingham First for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Award 2019 Winner: Suzanne Davies Our winner for Outstanding Women in STEM 2019 was Suzanne Davies. Sadly, she wasn't able attend, so her award was collected on her behalf by Karen Cureton. Professor Turi King from the University of Leicester came onstage to present the award. Suzanne is the STEM Lead at PepsiCo, having joined in 2014 as a placement student whilst at the University of Nottingham. Her tremendous understanding of material science that lead to a breakthrough in affordable design for the “Lay’s Shapes” team. She now frequently travels the world to manage trails so that the next new Karen Cureton (collecting on behalf Pepsi Co snack food can be released Winner, Suzanne of winner, Suzanne Davies), with Prof into the market. Davies Turi King Suzanne was later awarded a Master of Philosophy within 12 months of her university course - half the usual time - due to the significant technical advancements she had made in modifying food microstructure and sensory perceptions of snacks.
Finalist: Jigna Varu
Our finalist for this award was Jigna Varu, the driving force behind MicroFresh. Jigna graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science and jointed Micro-Fresh in 2013 as a part-time client services assistant. In just five years, Jigna worked her way up to Global Commercial Director, and was recently promoted to Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing all commercial aspects of the business on a global level. Thanks to Jigna, Micro-Fresh is now an established brand for freshness technology.
Thank you to Open Mind Training and Development for sponsoring this award!
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Winners Outstanding Male Supporting Woman Leaders Award 2019 Winner: Herdle White The winner of this award was Herdle White, though sadly he wasn't able to attend on the night. Herdle is a presenter at BBC Radio Leicester, and dedicates his efforts not only to his music show, featuring reggae and soca music, but to promoting people of African and Caribbean heritage into the BBC. He’s supported a number of individuals and has gone to the top of the BBC to demand greater diversity and inclusion. He is respected for opening the door into broadcasting for a number of women, supporting them and helping to nurture their careers in radio presenting. Many of these women have gone on to present their own shows.
Finalist: Mark Harrison
Our finalist for this award was Mark Harrison, husband of Maria Hanson MBE - winner of Outstanding Woman of Community Impact - Charity & Voluntary Award 2019 - and Charity Development Manager of her charity, me&dee. Mark has been of great aid to Maria in running the charity, offering her his office space during hard times and keeping things running smoothly through her frequent hospital-visits.
Thank you to Open Mind Training and Development for sponsoring this award!
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Winners East Midlands Inspirational Female Leader Award 2019 Winner: Claire Twells
And for our final and most prestigious award, our winner of the "East Midlands Inspirational Female Leader Award 2019" was Claire Twells! Glynis Wright, Founder of Glynis Wright & Co. came onstage to present Claire with her award. We've already seen her amazing work in Derby, which won her the "Outstanding Senior Female Executive Award 2019" earlier in the night. This award recognises her phenomenal work supporting businesses around the city. Claire was overjoyed at receiving the final award, saying on the night, "when I heard my name, I was flabbergasted!"
Winner, Claire Twells, with Glynis Wright, Founder of Glynis Wright & Co.
“[EMWA] really are showing the best of female talent in the region, and I think these awards will inspire younger women to try their best, work as hard as they can and eventually be recognised.” - Claire Twells
Finalist: Claire-Marie Cuthbert Last, but not least, the finalist for this award was Claire-Marie Cuthbert, winner of the “Outstanding Women in Education Award” and finalist of "Outstanding Senior Female Executive Award 2019". Being the youngest female CEO of a multi academy trust in the country, a best-selling author and a respected face in the education sector for her support to stuggling schools, Claire-Marie has a lot to be proud of.
Thank you to Glynis Wright & Co. for sponsoring this award!
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Special Thanks At the end of the night, Sandra Pollock came onstage to congratulate all the finalists and winners, and give her thanks the the attendants, sponsors, judges and those who helped make EMWA what is it. “It’s been an excellent year," she told our attendents, "Raising awareness of EMWA and raising the bar of respect, recognition and equality in the workplace and across all sectors and the community for women."
Sandra Pollock, Found of the Womens Awards, speaking onstage on the night
“I’m close to tears right now, because to see this recognition shared, applauded [and] celebrated is my dream come true, so I’d like to thank every single one of you for helping me to achieve my dream.”
Sandra brought onstage the six-year-old daughter of one of our attendents, and youngest member of our guests present that night, telling the winners and finalists that it was young girls like her that their phenomenal achievements were inspiring. She then announced the launch of our Alumni, thanking all the previous winners for lending their support or events, speaking engagements, and for "promoting the wonderful work of both EMWA and themselves".
"So for winners, this is not the end, this is the beginning.”
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Special Thanks To close out the night, Sandra gave flowers to those she wanted to personally thank for stepping up and helping to make EMWA 2019 so tremendous. Glynis Wright For being our first headline sponsor. Sandra said it felt "so awesome when she came forward and said she wanted to do this.” Karen Cureton For taking charge of out social media and boosting our presence on Facebook and Twitter. Sandra called her the "‘social media guru’."
Bev Sankey with the flowers she received as thanks
Jerusha (Ru) Barnett Cameron Sandra's beloved daughter. In the final months before the Awards Night, Sandra found herself with more work than she had planned. Jerusha took on some of that workload to relieve her stress, including the creation of the Nominees brochure.
Sandra Pollock, with her husband, Mike, and daughter, Jerusha (Ru)
Bev Sankey Another person who stepped up to offer her help, this time in finding sponsors. Bev's enthusiasm to help truly warmed Sandra's heart, and she has been our "Lead Sponsor” since last year. Rupal Rajani and Dave Andrews Our wonderful hosts on the night. Rupal has been friends with Sandra for years, and has been our main host since the Awards began in 2017. Sandra was also delighted to have Dave step in as this year's secondary host, adding his brilliant humour to our wonderful event. Mike Pollock Sandra gave her final thanks to her wonderful husband for his faith and support throughout the year. Sandra described him as someone who "has been there with me, my ramblings about ideas and things I want to do, and he just quietly lets me get on with it."
Sandra Pollock, with Rupal Rajani and Dave Andrews
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Special Thanks We'd also like to give a final thank you to all our sponsors for EMWA 2019!
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Looking to the Future New Ventures and Expansion Throughout the years, we’ve has plenty of demand for the Awards to include the wider Midlands region. As a result, we’ve decided for 2020 to expand the Awards and accept nominations from the West Midlands. This has meant the creation of a new umbrella structure, encompassing and forming two regional awards under The Women’s Awards. With this change in mind, it is our pleasure to announce out Design Sponsor in this venture, Creative Direction. Creative Direction have expertly re-branded the awards, created a new suite of logos and undertaken the development of our new website, which you can visit at thewomensawards.com. We could not be more pleased with the results.
We are proud to present our new suite of logos
The Women’s Awards Development Programme is set to commence this year, and will be open to all women across the Midlands looking to improve their career, business and professional skills, mindset and success. To find out more or sign up, please email info@thewomensawards.co.uk.
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Looking to the Future The Women's Awards 2020 We are proud to announce this year's headline sponsors!
Main Sponsors
Partners
Become part of our exclusive Founding Members and Mastermind Group! Go t https://youtu.be/G9Xw5RKExz0 for more information.
Nominations are still open!
Visit thewomensawards.com to nominate one of the Midlands' amazing women, and bring recognition to the contributions women bring to society.
Become a Sponsor today!
Email us at info@thewomensawards.com for your copy fo the 2020 EMWA Sponsorship & Advertising Pack.