One of the first woman partners at a national business law firm who is based in Birmingham is among the finalists in the eagerly-anticipated 2013 Businesswoman of the Year awards.
Seven businesswomen from throughout the UK have been shortlisted to receive the prestigious title at the 31st Woman of the Year Luncheon and Awards at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday, October 11.
Caroline Coates, who was appointed Executive Partner for Birmingham at DWF’s office in Snowhill, Queensway, following its merger with Buller Jeffries last May, is among the fantastic role models across the business spectrum who have reached the shortlist for the respected awards.
She has played a pivotal role in the phenomenal growth of DWF over the last 18 months as revenue has increased by the largest of any UK law firm and its national headcount has risen by 58 per cent to over 2,400 employees.
The awards – which are raising funds for three great charities Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Vitalise – celebrate the outstanding achievements of women in their own business or organisation in a variety of sectors ranging from events to the leisure industries.
Dame Kelly Holmes, one of Great Britain’s most iconic and successful athletes, will speak to the audience of high-profile businesswomen about her life-changing decisions and how each individual “fork in the road” led her to achieve everything so far, encapsulating the ethos of the Luncheon and Awards.
The full list of 2013 finalists who have made a significant contribution to the financial success and performance of their organisation are:
o Lee Thomas – Managing Director and Founder – Aesthetic Events Ltd
o Julie Kenny – Chairman and CEO – Pyronix Ltd
o Elkie Holland – Managing Director – Prospectus IT Recruitment
o Caroline Coates – Executive Partner – DWF LLP
o Helen Wigglesworth – Group Finance Director – Quadralene Ltd
o Melanie Bryan OBE – Founder – WhyNotChange
o Judi Leavor – HR Director – Center Parcs
Judy Groves, Awards Chair, said she had, once again, been awestruck by the achievements of the finalists who were a great example to other businesswomen and was pleased they had put their natural tendency not to seek the limelight to one side to enter the awards.
“Yet again we have an amazing array of talented, determined and inspirational women from a vast range of industries who have made a huge success of their careers,” she said.
“There is no question that women across the country are doing great things in the world of business, whether it be starting and running their own enterprises or helping to take some of our larger companies forward to greater things.
“But more often than not, they are reluctant to accept praise and recognition for their achievements. They sometimes have to be persuaded and cajoled into entering our awards and I would like to thank all the finalists for putting their modesty to one side and accepting praise.
“The finalists are superb role models across the business spectrum and we wish them all the best of luck.”
The seven finalists will meet the judging panel at the Mallory Court Hotel in Leamington Spa on Thursday, October 3.
Previous winners include Dragons’ Den star Hilary Devey CBE, The Apprentice adviser and West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady, D-Drill managing director Julie White and the reigning title-holder Emma Elston, co-founder of UK Container Maintenance in Cheshire.
