Member Article

Sucessful businesswomen awarded at Warwickshire hotel Coombe Abbey

The success of inspirational local businesswomen has been celebrated at an inaugural awards ceremony held at a Warwickshire hotel.

Brinklow-based Coombe Abbey played host to around 150 people for the first ever Women Who Awards, which recognises the achievements of women in business across Coventry and Warwickshire.

Guests were invited to an awards lunch which included keynote speeches from Dr Sharon Redrobe, chief executive of Twycross Zoo, Emma Heathcote-James, founder of the Little Soap Company and Judy Groves, marketing director of the Rigby Group Plc.

Seven award categories recognised not only business owners but also women who have made an impact on the companies they work for, as well as rising stars of the future and those who give back to the community.

Among those taking home titles was Coombe Abbey’s very own Director of Sales June Picken, who was chosen as winner of the Woman Who… Excels in Business Award.

June started at Coombe Abbey in 2012 and has since been a major orchestrator in establishing the period hotel as a venue of quality and distinction. She received eight nominations for her dedication to growing the business and the four judges came to a unanimous decision in selecting her as the winner, praising her vision, drive and determination.

She said: “I was surprised to even be nominated for the award so I’m delighted to have won – it’s a real privilege and very rewarding to have been recognised for my efforts.

“Coombe Abbey is a fantastic business and team to be part of – demonstrated by our record year last year where we hosted over 1,500 events – and I look forward to continuing to raise the hotel’s profile across Coventry and Warwickshire and beyond for years to come.

“Hosting the Woman Who Awards was a real success and we are delighted to have been selected as the host for next year’s ceremony.”

Through June’s dedicated approach, last year Coombe Abbey welcomed over 65,000 guests at more than 1,500 events, including over 250 conferences and almost 200 weddings, making it the venue’s busiest and most popular year on record.

Congratulating June on her achievement, Ron Terry, general manager at Coombe Abbey, said: “June’s commitment to enhancing customer and client relationships and embedding Coombe Abbey within the community makes it no surprise that she received so many nominations.

“She overcame tough competition to take home the title and a unanimous decision from the judges is a fantastic achievement.”

June’s consistent efforts to increase business has also seen the hotel remain the highest scored independent hotel in the area on TripAdvisor – as well as secure a string of awards on a regional, national and trade basis including Best Hotel at the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards.

Sandra Garlick, founder of the awards, said: “Sandra Garlick, founder of the awards, said: “The first Women Who Awards was a phenomenal success and an afternoon of celebration, achievement and inspiration.

“We received over 120 nominations for the awards, and June from Coombe Abbey was one of our most deserving winners. Since she took on her role, turnover has increased by 50 per cent and the judges were impressed by her excellent results.

“Due to the success of this year’s awards, we’ve already started planning next year’s which will again take place at Coombe Abbey.”

Other winners at the awards included:

• Woman Who…Start Up - Jude Jennison and Emma Taylor, The Leadership Whisperers.
• Woman Who…Entrepreneur - Jenny Hudson, Sweet As.
• Woman Who…Inspires - Helen Routledge, Totem Learning.
• Woman Who…Gives back to the Community - Julie Earls, Fiona Garrigan and Julie Kenny, Appoint Us Services.
• Woman Who…Business Network - Seanna Holland, Kenilworth Chamber of Trade.
• Woman Who…Rising Stars - Krushma Bosamia, WMG Academy of Young Engineers and Lucy Reynolds, Warwickshire College.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .