Plus Dane Housing’s Chief Executive Barbara Spicer has been named Female Leader of the Year and has dedicated her award to all the women who inspire her.

Barbara claimed the title at the Downtown Liverpool in Business’ fifth annual Women in Business awards, which celebrates female entrepreneurs and business leaders from across Merseyside.

The awards recognise the achievements of women across the city who have created successful ventures and contributed to economic growth.

Judges commended Barbara for her commitment to giving young people opportunities in the workforce and for wanting to change things for the better – to ensure her business can survive and thrive in challenging economic times.

On being named the winner, Barbara, who was joined at the ceremony by the young female apprentices at Plus Dane, said: “It’s fantastic to win this award for our apprentices. As a leader I feel passionately about nurturing talent and especially about bringing young people into the workforce and giving them the tools and space to grow.

“I hope that I’m a future role model to our young females – to show them that hard work and determination pays off.”

Barbara left school after her O Levels, and worked her way up from a ‘tea girl’ at Knowsley Council and to CDS Housing, before going on to become chief executive of Salford Council and the Skills Funding Agency, then taking the helm at Plus Dane Housing.

She was awarded a CBE in 2015 for her services to skills and education.

Last year she solidified her commitment to championing young people by taking on a record 18 apprentices in one recruitment drive at Plus Dane, and will be seeking to create more apprenticeships in 2017.