Awards honour top business women

Women who have made their mark on the corporate world will be presented with trophies at an event which highlights the strength in depth of Yorkshire’s business community. The Women in Business Awards have been organised by Forward Ladies, a networking organisation that provides practical support for women who are involved in all aspects of corporate life.

Shortlisted finalists include women working in such diverse industries as energy efficiency, technology, clothing, banking, PR, film, theatre and law. Griselda Togobo, the director of Forward Ladies, said the standard of entries was one of the highest ever.

She added: “The calibre of entries has been increasing year on year, but this year we have a number of outstanding entries, which have attracted women from all ages, all professions and all walks of life.

“We are also delighted to have finalists from the North East this year for the first time, which means the reputation of the Forward Ladies’ Women in Business Awards is spreading.

“In our new category, featuring science, technology, engineering and manufacturing (STEM), we have received some world-class entries.”

The corporate business leader of the year category, sponsored by Finance Yorkshire, has three shortlisted contenders:

Caroline Pullich, who is head of business banking covering the North East for Barclays,

Joanna Robinson who is the MD of Mansfield Pollard & Co, a Bradford-based company that designs, manufactures and installs energy efficient products and systems;

Helen Thewlis, a partner at Ramsdens Solicitors, in Huddersfield, who heads up the company’s family division.

The headline sponsor for this year’s awards is HSBC. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Queens Hotel on November 28.

The other shortlisted contenders are:

Home Based Business Woman of the Year sponsored by Amplitude AV:

Sara Danesin, the chef/patron of St John’s Dining Club and cookery school in York.

Sukhvinder Javeed, the MD of Milkysnugz in Leeds.

Janine Oates a Halifax-based leadership and business performance coach.

Faye Smith of Keep Your Fork who leads a marketing, PR and training consultancy in Sheffield.

International Business Woman of the Year, sponsored by UKTI:

Sara Davies of Bishop Auckland, the founder at Crafter’s Companion

Karen Milner, HR director of thebigword, Leeds.

Linda Torstensson, the director of KoziKidz of Doncaster

Anne Wilson, MD of Numill, in Sheffield.

The Not For Profit Award sponsored by East Coast:

Sandra Howard, the founder trustee of the Fable charity is based in Sheffield.

Alison Lowe the chief executive of Touchstone, a mental health charity in Leeds.

Jodie Marshall the MD of A Mind Apart Theatre Company based in Sheffield.

PA of the Year sponsored by Q Hotels:

Sarah Caswell, a PA and marketing assistant at Clarion Solicitors in Leeds.

Hollie Lawson, a PA at Premier Farnell.

Angela Traynor, PA and director of operations for Knowles Warwick.

Professional Services Business Woman of the Year :

Gemma Clark, the director and head of PwC’s Yorkshire private business team in Leeds.

Rashmi Dubé the founder of Leeds and London-based Legatus Law.

Emilda Eaton, the partner and head of private clients at Wosskow Brown Solicitors, Sheffield.

Property Business Woman of the Year:

Teresa Galley of Galley Properties, in Doncaster

Karen James an equity partner at Ramsdens Solicitors, Huddersfield.

Amy Wray of Applegate Properties in Holmfirth.

Retail Business Woman of the Year sponsored by Asda:

Adele Carnell, the MD of Filmore and Union healthy eating restaurants.

Sara Davies, founder of the Crafter’s Companion is also a finalist in the international category.

Helen Watson, director of retail and catering at Ferndale Garden Centre, Dronfield.

SME Business Woman of the Year sponsored by Sagars:

Dolores Evelyn, sales director of Eclipse Legal Systems, Bradford.

Alexa Greaves, the MD of AAG Systems, Sheffield.

Suzanne Johns the MD of Approach PR, Ilkley.

Ruth Newton, the director of the Young Discoverers Childcare.

Anne Wilson of Numill Limited, Sheffield,

Start up Business Woman of the Year sponsored by Microsoft:

Charlotte Armitage the owner of the Yorkshire Academy of Film and Television Acting, based in Harrogate,

Rashmi Dubé is also a finalist in the professional category.

Maggie Mellor, the proprietor of The Dog House in Holmfirth.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing Business Woman of the Year sponsored by Yorkshire Water:

Melanie Ellyard is chief operating officer of the Aptamer Group at the Bio Centre in York.

Kate Krachai, a director of Quality Context of Sheffield.

Lisa Pogson, the resources director of Airmaster.

Lisa Scales, the co-founder and director of TribePad, based at the innovation Centre, Sheffield.

Young Business Woman of the Year sponsored by O2:

Ashlea Gill of Hole House Farm, Harrogate.

Nicola Mellor the owner of Pepamint, a social media management agency in Huddersfield.

Jules Quinn is MD of the TeaShed, based in Gateshead.

Alyssa Randell, the owner of Clarise Crafts, in Leeds.