Power of Women Awards 2026: Celebrating Leadership, Opportunity and Real Change

London’s business community came together in powerful fashion on 5 March 2026 as Dress for Success Greater London hosted its ninth annual Power of Women Awards at Sidara, 150 Holborn. 

The sold-out event marked more than a celebration of inspiring individuals, it was a reminder of what happens when opportunity, mentorship and belief combine to unlock potential.

Held ahead of International Women’s Day, and aligned with the global theme #GiveToGain, the evening brought together leaders from business, law, media, culture and civil society. The atmosphere was one of recognition, but also of determination: a shared commitment to ensuring more women have the confidence, support and practical tools needed to succeed in the workplace.

Hosted by charity ambassador Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, the evening opened with remarks from Juanita Ingram, founder and Trustee Chair of Dress for Success Greater London. Reflecting on the charity’s eleven years of impact, she highlighted the tangible difference the organisation continues to make across the capital.

Since its founding, the charity has empowered more than 11,500 women, with an impressive 80% employment success rate. Through professional clothing, career coaching and long-term workforce development programmes, Dress for Success helps women overcome barriers to employment and build sustainable careers.

The evening also celebrated a remarkable group of award recipients whose leadership and commitment are driving real change.

Honourees included Baroness Floella Benjamin, recognised for cultural influence and advocacy; Sangeeta Pillai for amplifying diverse voices; Sophie Neary for economic leadership; and Ruth Dodsworth OBE for media and social impact. Organisations and partners were also recognised for their contributions, including A&O Shearman, No7 Beauty, and Lewisham Works, while individuals such as Naomi Harrison, Demisola Ogunfuwa, and Tara Thomas were celebrated for their dedication, resilience and achievements.

For attendees, the message of the night was clear: empowering women isn’t just a social mission — it is a business imperative.

As Samantha Latouche of Dress for Success Greater London reflected during the evening, the event was more than an awards ceremony. It was a showcase of resilience, ambition and the power of collective support.

With Power of Women 2027 already on the horizon, the momentum continues to grow. For businesses looking to champion opportunity, inclusion and leadership, the message is simple: when women thrive, organisations and society, thrive with them.

https://www.dressforsuccessgl.org

International Women’s Day: Why Supporting Women in Business Benefits Everyone

Every year on International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, businesses, organisations and communities around the world recognise the achievements of women and reflect on the work still needed to create truly equal opportunities. 

For the business community, the day is more than a symbolic moment, it’s an opportunity to highlight progress, address challenges, and commit to building workplaces where women can thrive.

Over the past few decades, women have made enormous contributions across every sector of the economy. 

From technology and finance to hospitality, healthcare and retail, women are founding companies, leading organisations and shaping innovation. 

In the UK alone, female entrepreneurship continues to grow, with thousands of women launching start-ups and small businesses each year.

Yet despite this progress, barriers remain. Women are still under-represented in senior leadership roles and boardrooms in many industries. Access to funding can also be uneven, with female-led start-ups often receiving less venture capital investment than those led by men. Closing these gaps is not only a matter of fairness—it also makes strong business sense.

Research consistently shows diverse leadership teams lead to better decision-making, stronger innovation and improved financial performance. Companies that actively support gender diversity often benefit from wider perspectives, stronger workplace culture and greater resilience when facing challenges. In other words, businesses that invest in equality are often the businesses that perform best.

For small businesses and entrepreneurs, International Women’s Day is a reminder that building an inclusive environment starts with everyday decisions. Hiring practices, promotion policies, flexible working arrangements and mentoring opportunities all play a role in creating workplaces where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

Flexible working in particular has become an important factor in supporting women’s careers. Many women still carry a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities, whether that involves raising children or supporting family members. Businesses that offer hybrid working, flexible hours or supportive parental leave policies often find they retain talent more effectively and attract a wider pool of skilled employees.

Mentorship and networking are also crucial. Women who have access to mentors, professional networks and leadership development programmes are often better positioned to advance their careers or grow their businesses. Many successful female entrepreneurs now dedicate time to mentoring the next generation, helping to break down barriers that once limited opportunities.

International Women’s Day also provides a valuable opportunity for businesses to showcase the achievements of the women who help drive their success. Highlighting female leaders, recognising employee contributions, or sharing stories of women in the organisation can inspire others and reinforce a culture of respect and recognition.

For business owners, supporting International Women’s Day does not need to involve grand gestures. Simple actions—such as hosting discussions about workplace equality, supporting female-led suppliers, promoting women’s achievements, or reviewing internal policies—can make a meaningful difference.

Ultimately, International Women’s Day is about progress. It celebrates how far society has come while reminding businesses that there is still work to do. By supporting equality, encouraging leadership opportunities and recognising the value women bring to every industry, businesses can help create a more inclusive and successful future.

For organisations of every size, from start-ups and family businesses to large corporations, International Women’s Day is a timely reminder that empowering women is not just the right thing to do. It’s also good business.

"I think if you said 'airline captain', you're probably not visualising me" Manchester Airport Podcast Spotlights Women in Aviation Careers

Five women from across the aviation industry shared their career journeys with hundreds of young people during a special live recording of Manchester Airport’s official podcast.

The episode of Manchester: Your Airport, MAN was recorded in front of a live audience at the airport’s inaugural Aviation Careers Festival, attended by secondary school and college students keen to learn more about opportunities in the sector. The special episode is being released in both audio and video formats to mark International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Hosted by former BBC Radio 6 Music, Key 103 and Rock FM presenter Hywel Evans, the event featured a live Q&A session where pupils asked the panel about careers in aviation and what it takes to succeed in the industry.

The panel included Melanie Lawley, Head of Airfield Operations at Manchester Airport; Kate Wild, an Air Traffic Controller with NATS; Lauren Wigglesworth, a Captain at Virgin Atlantic; Laura Moskal-Beresford, a member of Virgin Atlantic’s cabin crew; and Abi Owen-Hodgson, an apprentice aircraft engineer with easyJet.

The speakers answered a wide range of questions, from how to enter aviation careers to what happens when air traffic controllers encounter unexpected situations in the skies. They also discussed their favourite destinations to fly into and the day-to-day realities of working in a busy international airport environment.

The discussion also highlighted the aviation industry’s ongoing efforts to address gender imbalance. Women currently account for only around five per cent of commercial pilots, although panellists said they are seeing steady progress.

Virgin Atlantic captain Lauren Wigglesworth emphasised the importance of representation in encouraging more women to pursue aviation careers.

“You can’t be what you can’t see,” she said. “If someone imagines an airline captain, they might not picture me, but I hope seeing women in these roles today shows young people what’s possible.”

The Manchester: Your Airport, MAN podcast launched in 2023 and has since produced four series, building an audience of more than 10,000 listeners. The International Women’s Day special is available on major podcast platforms, with a video version also available on YouTube.

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/blog/posts/ultimate-airport-guide/manchester-your-airport-man-podcast/

Paris Haute Couture Week Spotlight: Supermodel Sofia Miagkikh Announces Women-Focused Empowerment Platform

In the midst of Haute Couture Week in Paris, where she walked for Yanina Couture by Yulia Yanina, international fashion model Sofia Miagkikh has announced the forthcoming launch of a landmark platform focused on women’s empowerment—beginning in the Gulf region.

Miagkikh says the initiative responds to what she believes is a growing challenge for young women today: visibility is rising, but relatable role models remain limited. 

In a recent interview, she noted: “A record number of women have become visible across business, media, and creative industries—and yet that has created an equally large number of young women seeking role models who reflect both ambition and their cultural identity.”

Through her social channels, Miagkikh has built a reputation for coaching and encouraging women with practical guidance on confidence, mindset, presentation, and self-discipline. Her content has resonated strongly with audiences in Qatar and Saudi Arabia who want access to modern opportunities while staying aligned with conservative values.

The platform is rooted in Miagkikh’s belief that empowerment is most sustainable when it is practical and culturally aware. Rather than adopting polarizing narratives, her approach emphasizes personal development, professional readiness, and positive representation.

Despite her young age, Miagkikh has built international fashion credentials through editorial milestones and global work, including features in Vogue Thailand, ELLE Greece, and France’s Gala, along with collaborations with luxury fashion and jewelry houses such as Armani and Bvlgari, and work associated with Ferragamo. She says those experiences shaped her worldview and deepened her commitment to supporting women—especially young women—in navigating public life, ambition, and identity with clarity and dignity.

“Fashion taught me that confidence is not something you perform—it’s something you build,” Miagkikh said. “I want young women in the Gulf to feel they can grow, be seen, and succeed without compromising who they are or what they value. 

"I have been working with an incredible group of both global and regional stakeholders that include some of the most influential women in their respective fields.  Through this initiative I hope to match the impact that visionairies such as Princess Reema Al Saud, Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani and others in their positions have been able to accomplish for women all over the world.”

As part of the platform’s launch, Miagkikh has begun media collaborations to help use her voice to catalyze a broader movement to bring together a network of thought leaders in the industry that will host events and international collaborations that bring women from all over the world exposure to positive role models that can can help them develop their skills and make an impact in their local communities and maintaining individual values and beliefs.

https://sofiamiagkikh.com

Fully Funded Accredited Business Accelerator for Women Entrepreneurs Now Accepting Global Applications

A groundbreaking opportunity has launched for women worldwide. 

The She’s In Business Accelerator, a fully funded and accredited programme from a woman-led, UK-registered university, is now accepting global applications.

Designed for women ready to launch or scale profitable consulting, coaching or service-based businesses, this high-impact accelerator, founded by autistic ADHD mother-of-four turned university lecturer, Dr. Stephanie Wilson, is 100% tuition-free for successful applicants.

And with limited funded places available, the time to apply is now.

A University-Led Business Accelerator Built By and For Women

Unlike traditional business programs, the She’s In Business Accelerator is:

Accredited

Delivered by a registered UK university

Run by women, for women

Tailored for mothers, professionals, and neurodiverse entrepreneurs

From strategy to sales, the program teaches what actually works — not just theory, but execution.

“You don’t need more noise. You need clarity, systems, and the confidence to lead,” founder Dr. Stephanie Wilson told That's Business.

“This is not a business club. This is a results-driven, university-backed accelerator built for real-world income.”

What Participants Get (At No Cost):

A milestone-based curriculum to turn your idea into income

Accredited certification from a UK university

Live coaching, accountability, and execution support

A global community of high-performing women entrepreneurs

Who Should Apply:

Aspiring or early-stage coaches, consultants, course creators, or service-based entrepreneurs

Women who are ready to sell confidently, scale sustainably, and stand out online

Professionals ready to turn their expertise into income

Mothers, neurodivergent women, and underrepresented leaders looking for a system that works for their life

Why It Matters:

Most programs teach business theory.

She’s In Business creates business income.

And with full funding available, the only investment required is your decision to go all in.

“We’re not just teaching business. We’re redefining what leadership looks like for women.”

And yes – it’s fully funded.

Because Success Shouldn’t Be a Solo Mission

This new data shows us what we already knew:

Women don’t need more motivation. They need models, mentorship, and money.

She’s In Business™, wspent years crafting an education ecosystem that meets women where they are, and lifts them to where they belong.

Whether you’re bootstrapping from savings, building at the kitchen table, or returning to a dream you’ve shelved for too long, this is your moment.

Their next cohort begins at the end of Feb 2026. Spaces are limited and funding is competitive but so are you.

Apply Now – Limited Funded Spots Available

https://shesinbusiness.co.uk/accelerator-programme/

This is a selective, high-demand accelerator. Applications are reviewed weekly and places are awarded on a rolling basis.

Celebrating International Women's Day: Why It Matters

Every year on March 8th, people around the world come together to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD). It's a day dedicated to honoring the achievements of women, recognising their contributions to society, and advocating for gender equality. 

Beyond just a day of celebration, IWD holds significant importance in highlighting the ongoing struggle for women's rights and empowerment globally.

Empowerment and Equality:

International Women's Day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality while also acknowledging the work that remains. It's a day to reflect on the achievements of women in various fields, from politics and science to business and the arts. It's about recognising the resilience and strength of women who have shattered glass ceilings and challenged societal norms.

At the same time, IWD underscores the importance of continuing to strive for gender parity. Despite significant advancements, women still face barriers in accessing education, healthcare, employment, and leadership roles. Women are disproportionately affected by issues such as poverty, violence, and discrimination. International Women's Day provides a platform to raise awareness about these challenges and advocate for change.

Inspiration and Solidarity:

One of the most inspiring aspects of International Women's Day is the sense of solidarity it fosters. It's a day when people of all genders come together to support and uplift women. Whether through marches, events, or social media campaigns, IWD amplifies the voices of women and allies worldwide.

Moreover, International Women's Day serves as a source of inspiration for future generations. By highlighting the achievements of women throughout history, it encourages girls and young women to pursue their dreams and aspirations. It sends a powerful message that gender should never be a barrier to success.

Intersectionality and Inclusivity:

It's essential to recognize that the struggle for gender equality intersects with other forms of oppression and discrimination. International Women's Day emphasises the importance of inclusivity and intersectionality, ensuring that the voices and experiences of all women are heard and valued.

Women from marginalised communities, including women of colour, LGBTQ+ women, disabled women, and indigenous women, often face compounded forms of discrimination. International Women's Day provides an opportunity to address these intersecting issues and work towards a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Taking Action:

While International Women's Day is a time for celebration and reflection, it's also a call to action. It's a reminder that the fight for gender equality requires ongoing effort and commitment from individuals, communities, and governments worldwide.

There are many ways to get involved in the movement for women's rights, whether through advocacy, volunteering, supporting women-owned businesses, or promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By taking meaningful action, we can contribute to creating a more just and equitable society for all.

International Women's Day is not just a day on the calendar; it's a global movement towards gender equality and empowerment. It's a day to celebrate the achievements of women, recognise the challenges they face, and renew our commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world. As we commemorate International Women's Day, let us stand together in solidarity, amplify women's voices, and work towards a future where every woman and girl can thrive.

Filling the Construction Skills Gap: What’s Holding Women Back?

Women in Construction Week (3 - 9 March 2024) celebrates the achievements of women in the construction industry, highlighting their contributions, confronting the challenges they face and inspiring future generations of women.

While there's been significant progress in recent years, there's still a fairy distance to go to reach equality in the industry. To highlight this, 3B Training has released an infographic, which illustrates how far women have come and where there's still room for improvement.

The infographic shows in 2023, the UK construction force was 15.8% female with over 340,000 women working in the industry. A 3.2% increase since before the pandemic occurred.  

Despite this increase, the ratio of women to men is still massively disproportionate.

For Women in Construction Week, 3B Training interviewed Pamela Evans, founder of Diggerlady to reflect on her experiences of being a woman in the construction industry.

“In school I was told I couldn’t be a digger driver, that it's a man’s job and I was signposted to different career options like care work.” 

Fortunately, Pamela didn’t let this deter her from continuing her passion and aged just 21, she became not only the first female in the country to get the 360º Tracked Excavator licence, she was also the youngest person ever to obtain this licence. 

These old fashioned attitudes and gender stereotyping aren’t the only reason why so few women are looking to join the industry. The lack of awareness around opportunities for women in construction is another major factor.

A Women into Construction (WIC) survey of 16-25 year olds learned only 13% of women would even  consider a career in the construction industry.

 29% of women thought construction meant onsite work only, and 45% later said they would be more interested in a career in construction after learning about the diverse roles available for women in construction industry management.

In an interview with 3B Training, Charlene Wade, Project Manager at Equans said: “The opportunities in construction aren't all labour based. Some of the skills women already have are transferable into the construction industry. So if you’re an admin or in any kind of leadership or management role, you can use that in the construction industry, too.”

On a more positive note, the top three reasons why women find the construction industry appealing include the:

Potential high salary

Opportunity for a long term career

Ability to set up their own business in the future

“Starting my own business was the best thing I ever did and I encourage other women to start their own business in trades.” said Pamela.

However, Pamela’s journey wasn't always smooth-sailing…

“Sometimes I'd be the only woman on a site with up to 100 men. Some were supportive, some didn’t bat an eyelid, but there were always some men who couldn’t stand the fact I was there in a ‘male’ industry. I was often told I shouldn't be there, I shouldn't be taking a ‘man’s job’. It was hard to hear but it spurred me on to prove I was in the right place and that I was doing the right job.”

Unfortunately, Pamela isn’t alone when it comes to facing discrimination as a woman in the construction industry. An alarming 72% of women in the construction industry experienced gender discrimination in the workplace, with 41% receiving inappropriate comments from male colleagues and 26% reporting they believed they were left out or excluded.

Discrimination is just one of the reasons why women have left the industry. Other factors include:

Unequal growth opportunities compared to men

Lack of access to a women’s toilet

Unequal pay (A study by Rated People found women are paid just 72% of men’s average pay for trade roles).

Inflexibility. Which can be difficult for women who have children.

So how can we address these issues that are keeping women from filling the skills gap?

When asked this question, 47% said a change to the male dominated culture would be the number one change required.

1 in 10 women said better childcare options would be the top change in persuading them to join or stay in the construction industry.

Other factors that help women to stay in the industry include:

Equal pay

Equal growth/training opportunities

Flexible working hours

Charlene Wade offers the following advice to women who are looking to join construction:

“Start doing your research online, then begin going to events and seminars to put yourself out there. There are schemes to assist women to join firms. Ensure you work in a firm whose values align with yours.”

Pamela’s advice?

“Speak to other women who work in the construction industry. Get in touch with the Register of Tradeswomen (https://registeroftradeswomen.com), attend women in trades events. Don’t be deterred by being in a minority, it’s the only way we can make the necessary changes. Women’s skills are needed.”

You can watch the full interviews with Charlene Wade and ‘The Digger Lady’ Pamela Evans on the 3B Training YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@3btraining

FACTFILE: A leading UK-based organisation, 3B Training offers premier health and safety accredited courses online, in-house, and across various training venues nationwide. Courses are backed by esteemed accreditations, including CITB, IOSH, and NEBOSH, among others.

Website: https://www.3btraining.com

Cranfield Report on women in boardrooms is published

Financial Skills Partnership says we need women at all levels, not just at the very top
The latest Cranfield Report published tomorrow is expected to report that the number of women on the top boards of FTSE 100 companies in the UK has risen from 12.5% last March to a little over 15%.

The report, authored by Professor Susan Vinnicombe and Dr Ruth Sealy of the Cranfield School of Management, will give a sixth-monthly update on how UK companies are performing against the targets set by Lord Davies in his review and recommendations last February. He recommended that the proportion of women on FTSE 100 companies’ top boards be increased to a minimum of 25% by 2015.

Liz Field, CEO of the Financial Skills Partnership comments: “While the increase in top board membership is clearly welcome, we believe that a lot more work could be done to help adjust the gender balance throughout company hierarchies, in particular at the level immediately below the one currently reported on.

“Recent research indicates that female participation at this level is actually declining rather than rising, a trend that needs to reversed if we are to ensure a continuous pipeline of female talent. Companies would do well to follow in the footsteps of the most progressive amongst them which - besides introducing better diversity monitoring and tailored development and mentoring programmes for women - are also trying to tackle the most deep-seated causes such as unconscious bias.”

New report reveals gains for women in emerging markets

Women’s Economic Opportunity Index 2012

Emerging markets have taken noteworthy steps in advancing opportunities for women in the past year, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

This is one of the conclusions of the Women’s Economic Opportunity (WEO) Index 2012, which measures specific attributes of the environment for women employees and entrepreneurs in 128 countries. In Kenya, the government enacted new policies mandating equal pay for equal work and made sexual harassment in the workplace illegal.

 Saudi Arabia also made a small but significant gain in labour policy with a ministerial order that, for the first time, fully articulates the principle of equal remuneration for men and women. Other key findings include Bolivia’s increasing political will to eliminate discrimination, especially against indigenous and rural women, and Cambodia’s provision of skills training and micro-credit.

Commissioned and funded by Vital Voices Global Partnership, La Pietra Coalition, ExxonMobil, the New Zealand Aid Programme and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the WEO Index looks to assess the laws, regulations, practices, and attitudes that affect women around the world.

The dynamic, quantitative and qualitative scoring model aims to look beyond gender disparities to the underlying factors affecting women’s access to opportunity in the formal economy. Twenty-nine indicators, selected and validated by a panel of international development and gender experts, were assembled into five categories: labour policy and practice; access to finance; education and training; women’s legal and social status; and, general business environment. Together, they evaluate every aspect of the economic and social value chain for women, from fertility to retirement.

The 2012 Index, the second, added and expanded indicators to allow for deeper analysis into important areas such as the prevalence of modern contraception, political participation and access to technology and energy. Fifteen new countries – seven Pacific Islands and eight from Eastern Europe and Central Asia – were added to provide greater geographical coverage.

Other findings include:

• Little change over the past year at the top and bottom of the Index. Sweden and Norway, with strong, gender-sensitive legislation and progressive cultural norms, remain at the top, while Chad and Sudan, which have scarce legal, educational and financial resources for women, stayed at the bottom.
• Lithuania and the Slovak Republic tied for the most improved score – an increase of 7.2 points – with gains in multiple areas.
• The United States – alone among industrialised countries – does not have federal laws in place to mandate paid maternity leave.
• Pakistan passed the Anti-Women’s Practices Bill, making acid attacks against women illegal for the first time. The crime is now punishable with a minimum of 14 years in prison.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, female labour participation averages a relatively high 61% across the region. Also promising is the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. It asserts women’s rights to take part in the political process; to enjoy social and political equity with men; and to control their reproductive health.

The report findings and insights are valuable tools for government and business. With waning economic growth, growing skills shortages and intensifying global competition, bringing trained women into the workforce is an economic imperative.

"Our partners in this index all understand that women as producers, consumers, entrepreneurs and employees are critical to the growth of the global economy today, said Alyse Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vital Voices. “For those decision makers in business, media, academia and the government this is not just a unique analysis of the global economic landscape facing women in 128 countries. But also a critical tool to deepen their understanding of those underlying factors affecting women's access to economic opportunity in the formal economy. "

"We've tried to go beyond other gender studies by looking at unique aspects of the environment for women," said Leo Abruzzese, EIU's Global Forecasting Director. "Analysing conditions in the labour market, as well as measuring the availability of childcare and maternity leave, is a challenge, but it paints a clearer picture of the conditions women are facing."

The Women’s Economic Opportunity Index 2012 is available free of charge at: www.eiu.com

The Chartered Institute of Marketing celebrates the 2nd Annual Women in Marketing Awards with a panel of high-profile judges

The Greater London Region (GLR) of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) are pleased to announce the forthcoming Women in Marketing Awards, aimed at celebrating the achievements of women in the marketing profession on the 3 November 2011 at The Mayfair Hotel.

The inaugural Women in Marketing Awards in 2010 generated much interest amongst the marketing community. Now in its second year, it has attracted involvement from the likes of Gail Gallie, CEO of Fallon London; Anna Bateson, Marketing Director EMEA YouTube; Helen Kellie, CMO BBC Worldwide and Daryl Fielding, VP of Marketing Europe Kraft Foods.

Created in 2004, Ade Onilude, a CIM Central London Committee member, identified a need for women in marketing to be recognised and celebrated. This led to her conceiving and launching the first Women in Marketing event on the theme Work-Life Balance. Since then, the annual Women in Marketing event has tackled topics such as Ethical Marketing, The Creatives, Branding and Diversity in Marketing, with the purpose of provoking discussion and inspiring women in marketing and the wider business community.

The popularity of the events prompted Ade to introduce this first-ever industry awards last year; celebrating the achievements of women – and men who market to women – in the industry.

“We were extremely pleased with the overall response and the calibre of the candidates that entered the first Awards”, says Ade Onilude, the awards creator. “This year the Awards have stepped up a notch and expectations are high.”

2010’s overall winner was Catriona Kempston of Europcar UK Group who was awarded Best Female Marketer of the Year.

“Winning an award at the inaugural Women in Marketing Awards was an amazing experience for me, my team and Europcar,” stated Catriona. “It was fantastic to be recognised by the marketing industry, CIM, the esteemed judges, and with the added bonus of celebrating, recognising and encouraging women in particular”.

Winner of the Best Male Marketer category in 2010 was Tom Savigar of The Future Laboratory.

“When I heard I was nominated for a Women in Marketing Award, I wasn’t sure what to think. Had there been a mistake? And when I heard it was for Best Male Marketer, I really started to think what had I done to deserve this! However, when I realised who my peers were upon arriving at the ceremony, I felt delighted to receive this award and be recognised for the work The Future Laboratory has done to help brands better understand and resonate with women. As we enter the Female Age, getting this right is crucial, and I am glad that the Women in Marketing Awards is championing this agenda.”

FACTFILE:
The 2011 CIM Women In Marketing Awards will take place on the 3 November 2011 at The May Fair Hotel. Deadline for award entry submission is midnight 22 September 2011. For more information on the awards visit www.wimawards.co.uk.

Women in Business

Despite the fact that women dominating the retail sector, making up 60% of the workforce, less than 5% are CEOs, only 8% of key business decisions are made by women and very few hold senior management roles.

Specsavers founder, Dame Mary Perkins, is a Patron of the everywoman Awards which is an initiative set to raise the status of women in the business community. On September 14, Dame Mary Perkins will present the Woman of the Year Award to an inspirational woman whose vision and success is an exemplar to all within the industry.

To build awareness of the everywoman Awards and offer hope in a challenging climate, they have scoured the UK for their most excellent and inspirational female employees who have demonstrated dedication, innovation, brilliant business acumen and above all, determination.

Dame Mary Perkins says: "There are some excellent opportunities for women in the retail industry. Although there are not as many women in senior positions as there should be, there are many good prospects.

"At Specsavers, many of our stores are owned and operated by women who recognise the importance of excellent customer service and high retail standards."

Divine Women Awards

Farmer-owned Fairtrade company Divine Chocolate and ethical jewellers Ingle & Rhode are delighted to announce the winner of the inaugural Divine Women Awards.

48-year-old Carline Ikoroha, is officially named the first ever Divine Woman in the UK for demonstrating a dedication to helping families that knows no bounds. Carline has devoted her life to her local community and over the past 15 years has touched the lives of around 1,000 children.

An Inclusion Mentor in a primary school in Enfield, North London, Carline is focused on supporting children and their parents. She has, without a doubt, made a positive and lasting change to the lives of those she has mentored; but she goes above and beyond her role. A keen volunteer in her spare time, Carline is focused on providing continual support and provision especially for those children that others may find harder to love.

Carline is quietly involved in a range of local voluntary activities and she approaches everything with an unassuming humility. From starting a breakfast club, to running a choir, to campaigning to keep the mobile library open – Carline is focused not on her but on improving the lives of all the children in the community.

Carline was one of six shortlisted finalists in the Divine Women Awards. The Divine judging panel, led by Livia Firth, Creative Director of Eco Age and founder of The Green Carpet Challenge, then had the task of selecting the most Divine Woman. All finalists had amazing stories to tell, but the panel were really struck by Carline and the fact she is such an inspiration to others.

Livia Firth says: “I really admire all the women who were shortlisted for the Divine Women Awards. Every single one of them has made a huge difference in their communities, but Carline Ikoroha is the epitome of a Divine human being, with her selfless attitude and sheer dedication to children, she is a real change maker.”

Carline and the other five finalists all demonstrated passion and determination to improving community life and affecting real and lasting positive change. As the winner, Carline has been awarded a truly divine prize of a bespoke pendant worth over £1,000, made with Fairtrade and Fairmined 18 carat gold from ethical jewellers Ingle & Rhode.

The Pendant is a West African Adinkra symbol called Mpatapo which means peace and harmony, and is used in designs and crafts to represent reconciliation, peacemaking and pacification. Adinkra symbols were originally created hundreds of years ago, and feature on Divine packaging hinting at the Ghanaian ownership of the company. Each symbol has its own meaning and the Mpatapo was chosen by Carline because: “I hope for peace in the family and peace in the world. And I also think it’s important to be peaceful in this busy hectic world, especially with all the bad news you see on TV.”

Carline was presented with her unique Mpatapo pendant by Livia Firth and Sophi Tranchell, MBE and CEO of Divine Chocolate at a celebratory reception at The Gore Hotel in London. On receiving the Award, she said: “My winning this award and this whole event has serious wow factor. My initial thought when I heard my name being announced was to sing!

“I have never done anything like this before and I thank my friend Lisa for nominating me for the award and for coming with me today. And for supporting me in everything; she is my rock. I feel truly honoured to be here amongst the other extraordinary women I have met here today. The Divine Women Awards are celebrating the ordinary, every day things people do. It will probably hit me later when I get back to the real world doing something like the washing up!”
Sophi Tranchell said: “We had some wonderful nominations but to us Carline completely embodied the concept of a ‘Divine Woman’. She has certainly gone the extra mile, mentoring children, setting up a breakfast club, running a choir, introducing children to the excitement of growing and cooking vegetables, helping her church get Fairtrade status, she isn’t just an inspiration in her community, she is the heart of her community. The world would simply be more Divine if there were more people like Carline.”

The awards were designed to mark the centenary of International Women’s Day and to celebrate the amazing achievements of women across the nation.

The other five finalists were:

Anna Wallace – diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer, Anna set up the charity Living Beyond Diagnosis

Lisa Cherry – once living on the streets, Lisa turned her life around and set up Networking Women to help other women make the most of themselves

Janice Jinks – a foster carer for 23 years, Janice has helped around 30 children providing unwavering love and support

Sarah Holmes – single mum of three who persuaded the local council to re-open a community centre in a deprived area

Lucy Newham – when her son Leo was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, Lucy discovered Downright Excellent, and she has since raised £140,000 in grants to help run sessions and adopt new teaching methods

Divine Chocolate and Ingle & Rhode would like to thank The Gore hotel for hosting this event.

Cherie Blair to be at conference in Aston, Birmingham

QC and human rights campaigner Cherie Blair will be inspiring women as a key note speaker at an event hosted by Conference Aston in Birmingham.

The former prime minister’s wife will be speaking at the lunch on July 8th which is hosted by the Network of Aspiring Woman, founded by former Apprentice star Jo Cameron.

‘An Afternoon with Cherie Blair’ forms part of a larger networking event, with more than 400 female business owners and directors expected to network at an exhibition and a morning of seminars.

Cherie was the ideal speaker for the event, which is focused on empowering women and encouraging them to network, according to Jo.

“Cherie is one of the highest profile female ambassadors in the UK for human rights through her charity work and through her work as a barrister,” said Jo.

“And she successfully juggled her family and career alongside being the wife of the Prime Minister during her years at 10 Downing Street, which makes her the perfect person to inspire our network."

“We are delighted that she speaking at the event and look forward to welcoming her, along with the hundreds of delegates to the event on July 8.”

Conference Aston was the perfect venue for the event according to Jo, for its central location as well as for its fantastic facilities.

“It’s a great learning environment as it’s at the heart of Aston University and is so accessible from the city centre,” she said.

“But it also has a lovely atmosphere and the facilities we were looking for in one place, from break out rooms for seminars to a restaurant big enough to host the 200 people we are expecting for lunch."

“The Conference Aston team have worked closely with us to develop the itinerary for the day and are a key part of making the event a great success.”

Conference Aston head of sales and marketing Christine Page said she was looking forward to showcasing Conference Aston’s facilities to Cherie and the delegates.

“We are delighted to playing host to such a high profile event, which is so positively supporting women’s networking in the region,” she said."

“It’s a great example of the diverse range of events we can accommodate and all our staff are looking forward to welcoming Cherie Blair, Jo and the delegates.”

Entry to the exhibition is free and tickets for the lunch can be purchased at www.networkofaspiringwomen.com.

Conference Aston welcomes over 54,000 people a year to Birmingham for training, residential conferences, for weddings and to stay in its high quality hotel facilities and on site campus accommodation.
It is at the heart of Aston University in Birmingham, which is a long established research-led university known for its world-class teaching quality and strong links to industry, government and commerce.