Member Article

Neom founder will be guest speaker at major awards event

Nicola Elliott, founder and creative director of wellbeing and home fragrance brand, Neom Organics, will be the keynote speaker at a major business awards and celebration this October.

Nicola will deliver an inspirational speech at the 35th Annual Women of the Year Awards at the Birmingham Metropole on Friday, October 6.

The event, which includes the prize for Businesswoman of the Year, aims to inspire women and young girls to chase and achieve their dreams in the world of business.

Nicola, who launched Neom in 2005, has done just that. After spending years working 60-hour weeks at glossy magazines in London, she was burnt out and started to notice her own wellbeing suffer, as well as that of her close friends.

This kick-started Nicola’s move into the field of wellbeing. She trained as an aromatherapist and nutritionist and, from there, Neom Organics was launched.

Today, Neom’s promise is to create 100 per cent natural fragrance for the mind and body and aims to help women (and men) manage their wellbeing in a simple way. All of the fragrances deliver true therapeutic benefits to relieve stress, aid sleep, boost energy or lift mood.

The company which boasts countless awards and celebrity fans, has seen continued growth and now retails in three standalone stores, major stockists such as John Lewis, M&S and Selfridges as well as independent salons, spas in both the UK and overseas.

Nicola, who won an entrepreneur of the year award in 2012, will describe her career and how she has overseen the company’s expansion, as well as how she steers the creative vision of the brand and ensures that every product Neom creates serves a therapeutic need or purpose.

Pauline Edden, director of Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards, said: “We are thrilled to have Nicola Elliott as our keynote speaker on our 35th anniversary event. It’s always a wonderful celebration for women’s achievements in business and society and to secure such a great speaker means this year’s event is one not to be missed.”

Judy Groves, director of the Businesswoman of the Year Award, said: “Nominations are open for Businesswoman of the Year and we’ve already had some very strong entries. My plea to women, however, is to put modesty to one side and put themselves forward for this award so that women and girls can be inspired by their achievements in the world of business.”

New sponsors – HSBC, Smooth Radio and Britain’s biggest commercial news talk station LBC – join British Airways, Freeths, Pertemps, SCC and Birmingham City University in offering their support to the event which shines a light on inspirational businesswomen across the country.

The event is also supported by key industry organisations including the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF), the Royal Aeronautical Society, the CBI and the WMG Academy for Young Engineers at the University of Warwick and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Funds this year will be raised for Tomorrow’s People and national disability charity Revitalise.

The closing date for entries is September 11 and will be followed by an interview stage for shortlisted candidates on September 22.

The winner will be announced at a luncheon and awards ceremony at Birmingham Hilton Metropole on Friday, October 6.

Anyone wanting to apply for the award or nominate an inspirational businesswoman should go to womenoftheyear.org.uk or email Judy@rigbygroupplc.com

Anyone wishing to purchase tickets for the prestigious 35th anniversary of the awards luncheon event should email event@womenoftheyearawards.org.uk

To engage on social media, use #WOTY2017, #makeithappen or #inspirationalwomen

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