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With over 3000 nominations and more than 130 winners and finalists recognised – the NatWest everywoman Awards have achieved in the past ten years exactly what they set out to do – uncover talented women of all ages overcoming obstacles, and platform them as entrepreneurial ambassadors. Every year in December, around 300 people join together at The Dorchester Hotel to celebrate female entrepreneurs who are breaking the mould and creating hugely successful businesses. This year was no exception to rule – we were joined by a group of truly inspiring female entrepreneurs – but, with more reason to celebrate - a decade anniversary.
We had the delight of hearing the stories of so many successful women – from Kate Mosse, founder of the Women Prize for Fiction, who took home the Spirit of everywoman Award, a thriving woman in the arts, to Amanda Wakeley OBE, one of the truly great British designers, who graciously accepted the Ambassador Award. Our NatWest everywoman Award went to Liz Doogan Hobbs MBE of Liz Hobbs Group, an organisation which provides music concerts after sporting events – revolutionising the industry. Turning over an impressive £7m annually, Liz accepted the award with the thanks of her team – “you’re only as good as the people around you”, she explained.
There were so many other incredible winners on the day, from Julie Deane of The Cambridge Satchel, who set up her company to fund education for her children, to Elli Chapman from Culture Works East, who suffers from Hypermobility Syndrome, yet still managed to establish herself as an incredibly successful female entrepreneur. As well as the 2012 winners and finalists, the room was filled with so many other inspirational women who had taken home awards from the past ten years.
With speakers such as the Minister of Equalities, Jo Swinson and Dame Mary Perkins, patron of the awards and Founder of Specsavers – it wasn’t only the winners and finalists that left a lasting impression on the guests. Dame Mary Perkins made her entrance with none other than James Bond – an entrance as grand as one would expect from a woman who has established one of the UKs most successful businesses – Specsavers, more than 45 years ago. Jo Swinson was another inspirational speaker – expressing her strong desire to improve gender equality in organisations around the UK and establish equal pay across both men and women. Olivia Sterns, one of Bloomberg’s leading reporters, was the compere and another fine example of a woman excelling in her role in the media.
What the Awards have done, and continue to do, for the UK economy is, in my eyes, exceptional. The day, although incredibly lavish and wonderful, doesn’t stop at The Dorchester - it goes way further than that. With the help of a little bit of word of mouth and the beauty of social media, the day has the capacity to encourage other females to follow their dreams, just like the winners and finalists. Only by showcasing these successful female entrepreneurs as role models will other women then feel inspired to create their own businesses. By encouraging females around the UK to start businesses of their own; the UK economy will grow and thrive – something that is an absolute necessity today, and for the future.
Watch the ten year anniversary showreel of the NatWest everywoman Awards >>
View the winners of the 2012 NatWest everywoman Awards >>
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