With the UK facing its biggest ever skills crisis, the race to attract more women into the world of creating wealth has never been more important.
The Businesswoman of the Year serves to highlight and share great role models and mentors by encouraging and inspiring women to reach their potential.
Entries are now open for the 32nd Businesswoman of the Year with the winner being announced at the Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel near the NEC on Friday, October 10.
Lord Digby Jones will this year chair the prestigious judging panel to choose the 2014 Businesswoman of the Year.
Lord Jones, who recently presented BBC 2 TV’s Troubleshooter business programme, was Director General of the CBI between 2000-2006 and Minister of State for Trade and Investment from 2007-08. He is also the chairman, director and advisor of several UK global businesses.
He said: “Throughout my business life, I have met so many talented businesswomen from all different sectors.
“There is a huge amount of talent and skill shown by women entrepreneurs or senior members of a company’s management team and these awards are the perfect way to highlight some of the fantastic work they are doing.
“There is a particular focus nationally at the moment on engineering and manufacturing in which the Midlands has a strong tradition, and it would be great to see a strong representation from those sectors.
“It doesn’t matter if the women work for themselves, for SMEs or for large companies, we want entries from those who are making a difference and showing their value.
“These awards attract nominations from all over the UK and I am looking forward to meeting those on the shortlist to find out more about their achievements and future plans.
“Creating wealth through business is vital for the wellbeing and success of the country. It is only through business doing well, owners investing and taking on staff who pay taxes, that the public sector is funded. Without the success of business we have nothing.”
Awards chair Judy Groves said she wanted women to overcome their natural modesty to enter the awards.
“One of the most difficult aspects is encouraging women, or their colleagues, to celebrate their achievements by entering the awards,” she said.
“This year there is a particular emphasis on encouraging nominations from the engineering sector – traditionally not a natural choice for youngsters considering their career options.
“We want entrepreneurs and top executives to act as catalysts for aspiring young women who are considering entering the business world to think seriously about a career in manufacturing, engineering and science.
“Our 2013 winner Julie Kenny – who created one of the UK’s leading electronic security manufacturers from scratch – is a perfect example of the successful businesswomen we want to unearth and showcase their talents to a wider audience.
“Lord Jones’ opinions are always worth listening to because of his vast experience in business and we are looking forward to his input when we meet to judge the shortlisted candidates.
“He has always been a powerful advocate of businesswomen and with the current trend towards encouraging more women into engineering and manufacturing, we are keen to hear from women in these industries to further lift the profile of these sectors.”
Former winners include Karren Brady CBE, star of The Apprentice and Vice-Chairman at West Ham United, Hillary Devey CBE from hit BBC TV series Dragons’ Den, Sarah Tremellen, founder and Chief Executive of Bravissimo, Emma Elston, co-founder of UK Container Maintenance, Julie White, Managing Director of D-Drill, and Asha Khemka OBE, Principle and Chief Executive of West Nottinghamshire College.
To enter the awards, please email Jennifer Elsden at [email protected]