INSPIRATIONAL achievers from across the Midlands were among those celebrated at the fourth Ladies First Professional Development Network Business Awards.
More than 300 people assembled at Coombe Abbey on Thursday (March 24th) for the glittering awards ceremony, hosted by BBC radio presenter Sandra Godley.
Winners were revealed across 30 categories ranging from Rising Stars, Young Achievers and Excellence Education through to Woman of Achievement, Woman of Courage, Advocate for Women and Lifetime Achievement.
They were selected from more than 270 nominations across the UK by a panel of 18 judges at a special event in Coventry last month.
The awards marked a return to a live event following the pandemic, while also raising £4,000 for two West Midlands charities, St Basils and Suited For Success through an auction and raffle.
Special guests included The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor John McNicholas & Lady Mayoress Dr June McNicholas; Nurse May Parsons – the nurse who gave the first ever covid injection in Coventry and former member of The Drifters, Roy Hemmings.
Key Note speakers were Louise Oliver, President of The British Association of Women Entrepreneurs and Nicola Smyth, owner of Nicola Smyth Hair Salons and last year’s Business Woman of the Year.
Awards organiser and Ladies First Network Leader, Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common, said after the event: “I am absolutely buzzing from such an uplifting evening, celebrating the achievements of women, men and talented young ladies from the age of 10, whilst also raising funds for our Charities Suited for Success & St Basils.
“I was delighted in particular to acknowledge the wonderful work of unsung community hero’s, Christine Eade and Sarah Laughton from The Pod Café and John Coote & AJ Evans from Coventry Comfort Carers Homeless Outreach Project – these people support those suffering from mental health issues and homelessness on a daily basis.”
The winners:
New Business of the Year
William & Kelsey Seymour – St Maur, Alcester
William and Kelsey said: “We are very proud of the achievements we have had so far with our drink St Maur, but these awards from Ladies First are special for us because they are for the business behind the brand, and highlight the real people involved rather than just the product itself.”
Digital Star
Jacqueline Leake – V A Services, Nuneaton
Jacqueline said: “I am still on a high, and proudly telling anyone and everyone. It has given a real boost to my confidence that the judges recognised how my business has developed and my passion for learning and finding the best digital solutions for myself and my clients to grow their businesses.”
Achieves for the Community
Christine Eade & Sarah Laughton – The POD Café, Coventry
Excellence in Education
Suneta Bagri – Teach well, Toolkit, Coventry
Suneta said: “My work is not just a job to me. My work is inextricably linked to my love for education, the doors it opens and the opportunities it provides. My work is service. Making a difference to others is my purpose. So to receive an award for Excellence in Education is up there as one of my proudest achievements to date.”
Man of the Year
Dan Smyth Humphriss – Nicola Smyth, Leamington
Dan said: “It was a complete surprise to be nominated and then to pick up the award too. I feel very honoured to Win Man of Year!”
Special Award
John Coote & his partner AJ Evansfor their work with Coventry Comfort Carers Homeless Outreach Project.
John said: “To win the award for Achievements in the community was a real shock and a true honour. We do what we do for the people of our city and further afield, not for any recognition but to know we are helping those most in need.”
Achieves in Business (Employee)
Corrine Seaborne – Alsters Kelley, Coventry
Corrine said:“I felt truly overwhelmed and humbled to receive this award. The ladder I have climbed at Alsters Kelley from secretary to associate has not been easy but it has been extremely rewarding,helping clients during the difficult times in their lives and supporting colleagues to achieve their ambitions.”
Achieves for Charity
Nicola Hepburn – The Centaurus Trust, Wootton Wawen
Nicola said: “I am so thrilled to have received this award for The Centaurus Trust and Equine Learning Centre CIC. It is so wonderful for our teams to be recognized for their hard work and dedication. This award also recognizes the achievements of our wonderful participants who inspire us all every day.”
Family Business Husband and Wife
Kelsey & William Seymour – St Maur, Alcester
William said: “For Kelsey and I St Maur can be traced back to our wedding day, so for us to be recognised and win the Husband and Wife Award means a lot to us personally. I’m really enjoying the business and I consider myself so fortunate to have married an entrepreneurial lady.”
Excellence In Marketing Award
Vicki Bravington – Shakespeare Media, Stratford-upon-Avon
Vicki said: “The last two years have been a challenge for everyone so to come out the other side stronger than ever and to be recognized among so many inspirational women makes this the proudest moment of my career so far. A massive thanks must also go to my amazing team. We look forward to continuing our journey and to many more successes in the future.”
Going Above & Beyond For Charity Award
Rachel Ollerenshaw, Warwick – of Molly Ollys
Rachel said:“It was a real honour to win this award as I know there are so many individuals and groups who go above and beyond for many different causes day in day out. I feel hugely privileged to do what I do every day and am grateful to the team that help me and all our supporters who make it all possible. The smiles from the children and their families that we support is more than enough thanks but it is lovely that our work is also acknowledged in this way.”
STEM Award
Helen Routledge – Totem Learning, Coventry
She said: “I am so thankful to Ladies First for this amazing award. To be recognised for the work we do at Totem Learning, to bring learning to life, is an honour.”
Inspirational Young Achiever
Twins Stacey & Tracey William,13, from Coventry
Twins Alice & Hattie Mogan,10, from Coventry
Ananya Prajapati, 11,of Ananya Artistry
Ananya said: “This award will give me the confidence to continue my journey as a calligraphy artist and pursue my passion for my own business. This event has been a life changing experience for me.”
Service Provider of the Year
Geraldine Davies – Senior Care Support, Solihull
Geraldine said: “I’m so delighted to have won this award. Being nominated was an achievement in itself, but actually winning was the ‘icing on the cake’ as recognition of my business model. Thank you to all at Ladies First Professional Development for your support and encouragement.”
Achieves Through Networking
Sharon Louca – Women’s Business Networking Limited, Tamworth
Sharon said: “Networking has been a huge part of my business journey for over 13 years and without it I probably wouldn’t be in business today. Ladies First Professional Development attracts a high-calibre audience and to have been selected as a finalist and go on to win is a massive achievement. Women’s business networking has gone from strength to strength over the last 18 months and we plan to continue to grow and offer more much-needed support to female business owners.”
Advocate for Women
The Verinos – All Female Band, Leicester
Member Ruth Miller said: “We were so thrilled even to be nominated for this award. As a garage punk band made up of beginner women with an average age of 55, we started for fun, thinking it would be a cool new hobby. Now we’ve found that loads of other women want to learn to play too so we’ve been helping them. When our name was announced as the winner on Thursday, we all screamed and ran up to the stage together in a quite undignified way, but we don’t care!”
Excellence in Health & Wellbeing
Asha Bezron – Inspired to Change, Balsall Common
Woman of Achievement
Suzanne Reid Barreiro de Silva – Unique Venues, Birmingham
Inspirational Woman
Fay Goodman – Goodmedia, Birmingham
Fay said: “I feel very humbled and honoured to receive this award. I am so grateful to be part of a wonderful group of women in Ladies First to celebrate women’s achievements so we can encourage other women to shine their own light in whatever dreams they want to fulfil and causes they want to champion.”
Business Entrepreneur
Amy Davies – Madame Caci Lounge & Store & Stove, Balsall Common
Amy said: “I’m super overwhelmed to have won this fabulous award! Starting both businesses during a worldwide pandemic was a massive risk. Without Hard work, patience, belief and support from my incredible family and friends this dream would have never been a reality.”
Young Business Entrepreneur (Under 30)
Lauren Coombes – Pitch and Party Limited, Balsall Common
Businesswoman of The Year
Olivia Mikhail – Kew Little Pigs, Amersham
Michelle Kirkham – of International Automotive Components Group
Family Business of the Year
Jayne Chambers – Haigs Hotel & McKees Restaurant, Balsall Common
Jayne and Jessica Chambers said: “It’s great to have our passion for the business and hard work acknowledged with this prestigious award.”
Unique Business
Olivia Mikhail – Kew Little Pigs, Amersham
Successful Career from Home
Lindsay Gillespie – Pawsome Pooches, Balsall Common
Lindsay said: “I am very pleased to win an award shortly after just having a baby. Hopefully this will show more women that you can do both. Particularly if it’s something you love! Don’t give up.”
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Gillian and Ruth Bridges – J Roberts SPV, Sutton Coldfield
Sandra Godley, Coventry – for lifetime achievement in Music
Sandra said: “This was a total shock. Thank you to Tracey and The Ladies First team. I will treasure it forever.”
Venue Award
Coombe Abbey, Coventry
Woman of Courage
Andrea Rainsford – SEO Angel, Tamworth
Andrea said: “I’m surprised, delighted and overwhelmed in equal measure. Thank you to Tracey and the Ladies First team. You have made my year!”
International Award
Emily Coldwell – Online Toolbox, New Zealand
Young Achievers
Charlotte Durham – apprenticeship with Pertemps
Lily Wildman, from Kenilworth – Wild Beauty
Sathvika Krishnam, from Coventry – Studying Biology at Oxford University (STEM/Environmental Award)
Ella Freeman – Studying Engineering at Loughborough University (STEM)
