Member Article

2023 Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards Finalists Announced

The prestigious Women of the Year (WOTY) Luncheon and Awards is delighted to unveil the eight leading business women that have been honoured as a finalist for the ‘Business Woman of the Year 2023’ award.

Set to take place on Friday 13 October 2023 at The Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards, now in its 41st year, is a celebration of achievement which promotes positive female role models who provide inspiration across all areas of society and the business community. This year’s eight finalists include remarkable businesswomen from a wide range of industries including marketing, construction, insurance, law, property development and many more.

Zalena Vandrewala, Chair of Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards said, “It is an honour to reveal this year’s finalists as we celebrate the achievements of exceptional women across the length and breadth of the UK. The judging process is incredibly tough year upon year as each nominee has achieved so much in their own right; our 2023 finalists are fantastic role models, and an inspiration not only in the business community but the wider community too.

“We look forward to celebrating the stories and acknowledging the accomplishments of these women and others at our upcoming ceremony, as we continue to build a strong community of women whose united goals are to empower and inspire.”

The 2023 finalists for the coveted Business Woman of the Year award are:

• Clair Heaviside, Co-Founder and Creative Director of digital marketing agency Serotonin (Manchester)
• Eleanor Deeley, Joint Managing Director of the Deeley Group (Coventry)
• Farzana Naz, Partner and Head of Family at Saracens Solicitors (London)
• Jackie Hyde, Managing Director at Stanmore Insurance Broker Ltd (Bolton)
• Kirsty Davies-Chinnock, Managing Director of Professional Polishing Services Ltd (Smethwick)
• Lee Elizabeth Thomas, Founder and Director of Aesthetics Event Staff Ltd (Kenilworth)
• Sue Bancroft, Group People Director at Modular Group Investments (Sheffield)
• Julia Kessler, CEO and Co-Founder of Nix & Kix Ltd (London)

As well as the main honour, WOTY Business Woman of the Year 2023, two other major awards will be presented on 13th October – ‘Women of Achievement’, in celebration of a much deserving group of individuals or team, and ‘Woman with Edge’, sponsored by leading law firm Freeths LLP, and celebrating a person coming through the ranks and challenging the status quo.

Delivering the keynote address at this year’s ceremony is Maxine Laceby, Co-Founder of Absolute Collagen. When Maxine started Absolute Collagen from her kitchen table aged 50, with no business experience, she had no idea it would become the multi-million-pound wellness brand it is today. Integrity and giving back in all areas are inherent to Maxine personally and professionally, and why she became a patron of the Prince’s Trust in 2021. From her humble beginnings living on a council estate with a single mother to her ADHD, which she sees as her superpower.

The glittering occasion will help to raise funds for charity, with all proceeds from fundraising activities going directly to The Prince’s Trust.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Melissa Chawner .