Female leadership recognised at awards

The Barclays Celebrating Women in Business Awards were aimed at senior business women and businesses operating across all sectors and sizes in Yorkshire,

Joanne Roney, chief executive of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council was named as Yorkshire Woman of the Year Larger Business for leading the council through transformational times.

Judges said she is a highly motivated individual leading over 6,000 employees and is an advocate for change and diversity.

Ms Roney told The Yorkshire Post: “I am delighted to have won the award. Particularly pleased to see a woman in local government recognised by business in this way, which reflects on all the work done by outstanding colleagues in Wakefield to regenerate the district and encourage investment and business growth.”

Jenni Hardy, finance director of Transline Group was named Rising Star recognising her pivotal role in taking the business through the growth journey to reach £220m turnover.

Amanda Shea, group financial director for mattress manufacturer Harrison Spinks, was named as Women of the Year Medium Business after supporting the business in its quadrupling of turnover and unbroken growth in profitability over the last 11 years.

Meanwhile, Nilam Holmes Patel, of High Definition Beauty Group, was named SME winner while Rachael Memmott and Helen Hall, of Special Autism Services, were named as Women of the Year for their contribution to diversity.

The award for supporting citizenship went to Lesley Dawson, managing director of Children’s Corner Childcare.