More than 400 guests celebrated the success of women in business at a special awards lunch in Leeds
Jacqui Hall, MD of Harrogate-based energy company CNG, took the top title in the Barclays-Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards, winning the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. She was also awarded the title of Corporate Leader of the Year. ‘Our winner has created a culture across the company that has true values, and demonstrated this with an open door policy for staff,’ said Caroline Pullich, head of relationship banking at Barclays who presented the awards.
‘She has tripled employee numbers in the past five years as the company continues to grow, made a huge difference to bottom line profit, has increased turnover to £150m from £98m in the previous year and achieved a net promoter score (this is an industry measurement which measures customer satisfaction) which is 25 points higher than the industry average for her sector.’
Jacqui held a number of positions within gas companies before joining CNG in 1998, and since being appointed MD in 2006 has been instrumental in leading the company’s direction and subsequent growth. She has strengthened the team by making strategic appointments and securing third party accreditations. The company continues to be recognised as a real alternative to the Big Six energy companies, and has achieved recognition for excellence.
Other category winners at the awards lunch at the Queens Hotel, Leeds were:
Home-based Business Woman, sponsored by Amplitude AV and presented by Chris Ayre went to Grazyna (Grace) Bylinka of Huddersfield a regional manager with Oriflame, a Swedish direct selling company producing nature-inspired cosmetics, skincare and fragrances.
International Business Woman, sponsored by UKTI and presented by Gillian Bray, regional team manager went to Julia Gash CEO of BIDBI, Sheffield.
Manufacturing Business Woman sponsored by the Yorkshire Post and presented by Helen Oldham, MD Johnston Press went to Jane Robinson, co-founder of Cutting Technologies, a Barnsley-based company which is a leading UK laser cutting and engraving company.
Not for Profit Business Woman sponsored by East Coast and presented by MD Karen Boswell went to Joanne Wilkinson, chief executive of My Possible Self,
Harrogate, a social enterprise offering professional counselling, personal development and coaching.
PA of the Year sponsored by Q Hotels and presented by Paul Priest, director of sales for The Queen’s Hotel went to Ann Dunford who is the PA to a senior partner at Garbutt & Elliott LLP, York.
Professional/Corporate Business Woman, sponsored by Finance Yorkshire and presented by chief executive Alex McWhirter went to Justine Osmotherley, a partner and head of private client services at Clarion Solicitors, Leeds.
Women in Property sponsored by British Gas and presented by regional director for Yorkshire and Humber Charles Breslin went to Teresa Galley of Galley Properties, Doncaster.
Retail Business Woman of the Year, sponsored by the Co-operative Group and presented by Sharon Pegg, group inclusion and diversity manager went to Liz Devine-Wright of Simply Devine, Tadcaster.
SME Business Woman of the Year sponsored by ASDAS and presented by Amanda Cox, director of organisational effectiveness went to Catherine Shuttleworth, the CEO and founder of Savvy Marketing, Leeds.
Start-up Business Woman sponsored by Oriflame and presented by Peter Sykes, sales manager Ireland and UK went to Melanie Oldham, MD of Bob’s Business, Barnsley.
Young Business Woman sponsored by O2 and presented by Donna Howden, head of Outsource Voice Operations went to Amy Wray, MD of Applegate Lettings, Huddersfield.
