North East’s most inspiring females announced by Chamber
Date published:
Twelve female leading lights of the North East business world were given top honours at a special ceremony in front of 300 guests at Newcastle Civic Centre.
Organised by the North East England Chamber of Commerce, the inaugural Inspiring Females Awards recognised businesswomen at all stages of their career and from around the region.
One of those given an award was Channel 4 TV show host Steph McGovern, who was named the woman who made the Most Outstanding Contribution to the North East.
Alix Bolton, chair, Chamber Women’s Leadership Forum said: “One of my favourite sayings is, ‘We rise by lifting others. The Chamber was delighted to organise these awards to do just that and celebrate the fantastic female talent all around our region who support their colleagues. Our winners are awe-inspiring examples of female strength and achievement. What they have in common is working hard with grit and determination to succeed. Congratulations to all of those who took home an award and also to everyone who made it onto the shortlist. They all contribute so much to our region’s success and set tremendous examples for other businesswomen on their own career journey.”
The winner of the Most Inspiring Female Business Leader of the Year was Dr Jo North from Port of Tyne.
She said: “I’m overwhelmed and very honoured to win this award. Congratulations to the other award winners who have all done amazing things. North East women are leading the way not just here in our region but in the whole country.
One of the youngest winners was Ellen McCann, from Ryder Architecture who won apprentice of the Year and is in her final stage of training to become an architect.
There was also recognition of work businesswomen do in the community and CSR. This award was won by Karen Marshall, from Accenture, who has particular focus on supporting the company’s apprentices.
The Inspiring Female for small businesses was won by Nicola Wood, who runs the Wonderful Wig company based in Sunderland and Newcastle, which offers wig services to clients in particular people suffering from cancer treatment.
An award was also presented to the most inspiring female small business employer and was won by the Sunderland recruitment specialists Adkins & Cheurfi.
Special recognition for the best female in a medium-sized business went to Amy Park of Newcastle-based accountancy firm Robson Laidler.
The most inspiring employer in this category was given to EMG Solicitors, based in Durham.
In the larger business section, the award for top female was presented to Angela MacOscar from Northumbrian Water, with Northumbria Police’s Joscelin Lawson being highly commended. The most Inspiring Employer was given to Northumbrian Water, which operates out of Pity Me in County Durham.
Female entrepreneurs who trade internationally were also recognised with the award for the most inspiring female (Global) going to Annie Barr of the Stocksfield-based AB Health Group.
And the most Inspiring Employer (Global) was given to Seaham food manufacturer Prima Cheese.
The overall awards were sponsored by Bernicia with individual awards supported by Esh Group, North East BIC, NE Times, Britishvolt, Hartlepool College, Teesside University and Muckle LLP.