Organised by Downtown Liverpool in Business and held at the city centre Crowne Plaza Hotel, the fifth annual Women in Business Awards welcomed more than 350 guests who saw 17 accolades handed out
Liverpool city region’s most dynamic female entrepreneurs had their achievements recognised at the fifth annual Women in Business Awards.
Organised by Downtown Liverpool in Business and held at the city centre Crowne Plaza Hotel, the event welcomed more than 350 guests who saw 17 accolades handed out.
Downtown boss Frank McKenna said: “There’s no fluffiness, no sentimentality and definitely no Kleenex required.
“Rather, the awards shine a spotlight on the many women who are leading the way in business, enterprise and innovation and having a demonstrable impact on the local economy.”
Big winners on the day included Mowgli boss Nisha Katona, Plus Dane’s Barbara Spicer, and executive director of Tate Liverpool, Andrea Nixon.
Restaurant entrepreneur and budding TV chef, Nisha Katona was awarded Female Leader in the Commercial District after launching Mowgli Water Street late last year.
Barbara returned to the housing sector in 2015 taking up the role of chief executive at Plus Dane during a particularly challenging period – both for the organisation and the social housing sector.
It is the third restaurant in Katona’s portfolio, after launching on Bold Street in 2014 and taking the brand to Manchester in 2015.
Andrea Nixon, executive director at Tate Liverpool was awarded for a Decade of Excellence.
Long-term friend of Downtown and familiar face on Liverpool’s social scene Carolyn Hughes won Business Personality of the Year; and Emma Carey, family partner at MSB Solicitors was awarded Professional of the Year.
The coveted chief executives award went to Pauline McNamara of PMC Family Law.
Downtown chief executive, Frank McKenna added: “The calibre of nominations for this year’s awards was simply outstanding – the judges had a painstaking task of separating winners, but it has been a job well done.”
The full list of winners:
Female Leader of the Year
Barbara Spicer, Plus Dane
Best Newcomer of the Year
Beth Hyland, Beth Hyland Designs
Best Employer of the Year
Morecrofts
Best Marketer of the Year
Chelsea Hankin – CPL Training
Best Recruiter of the Year
Helen Cornah, Recruit Right Ltd
Financial Services of the Year
Trish Campbell, Elliot Fletcher
Professional of the Year
Emma Carey, MSB Solicitors
Female Innovator of the Year
Sara Lawton, CI Framework
Business Personality of the Year
Carolyn Hughes, CHPR
Female Business Enabler of the Year
Christine Walters, Spark Impact
Excellence in Charity Award
Clare White, Alder Hey
Business Development Manager of the Year
Dayle O’Hara, Fazenda
Digital & Creative Award of the Year
Jeannette Gill, Agent Marketing
Decade of Excellence in Business
Andrea Nixon, Tate Liverpool
Female Leader in the Commercial District
Nisha Katona, Mowgli
Commitment to Excellence in Innovation
Christy Mitchinson, Liverpool Bio-Innovation Hub Manager
Chief Executive’s Award
Pauline McNamara, PMC Family Law