Women with exceptional entrepreneurial skill, stand out apprentices and emerging leaders are among the recipients of the 2024 Enterprising Women Awards.
Organised by East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women network, the prestigious event took place at Leicestershire’s Winstanley House on 20th September. ITV presenter Emma Jesson, who has hosted the event every year since its launch over a decade ago, announced the winners, spanning ten categories, as well as two special recognition awards.
The Businesswoman of the Year Award went to Andrea Gray, Managing Director of Leicester-based music licencing company PPL PRS.
Andrea said: “What a huge honour to win this award – I’m absolutely blown away. There was some phenomenal competition in this category. I want to say a huge thank you to Enterprising Women and East Midlands Chamber who put on these awards, as well as Michael Smith Switchgear for sponsoring this category.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Lindsey Williams, formerly Chief Executive of Futures Housing Group and a former President of East Midlands Chamber.
Judges described Lindsey as “an exceptional leader who has made a major contribution to the East Midlands business community for over 20 years. Lindsey has shared her expertise and experience to champion women in business, and who truly embodies the values of Enterprising Women.”
Enterprising Women Co-Chair Eileen Perry said: “All I can say is – ‘wow!’ There are those moments in life where you have to take a moment, a few seconds to reflect and you feel so incredibly proud of the East Midlands and its businesswomen.
“What we’ve seen right here this evening, evidenced as each and every one of our region’s winning women stepped up onto the stage, is that Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire are blessed with women that aren’t just keeping a business ticking over; they’re leading. They’re leading change, they’re leading ideas and giving people inspiration. We’ve seen sheer hard work and determination shine.
“We hold the Enterprising Women Awards each year to celebrate the very best of female business talent in the East Midlands and I extend my thanks to all of the sponsors who made this glitzy evening so memorable. I only wish there was an award for every one of the finalists as the standard was exceptional.”
Enterprising Women co-chair Jean Mountain said: “Being able to stand next to these women that have done so much for women in business in the East Midlands is something that cannot be underestimated. We can all look up to, all learn from, and all aspire to be like the businesswomen that have been recognised at this ceremony.
“While the network is ‘Enterprising Women’, winning an award is really elevating the role of women in business. It’s not just achievement; it’s attitude. The winners of these awards are women who don’t stand back – they’re generating new ideas and they’re influencing the people around them to achieve too.
“The quality bar has been broken tonight as, once again, we’ve seen exceptional entries and I’ve no doubt the judges will have pulled their hair out during selection. In my mind everyone that entered is a winner, because by doing so you’re doing East Midlands women proud. I’d like to give my deepest thanks to the sponsors that helped make this a spectacular evening.”
ITV presenter Emma Jesson, after the hosting the ceremony, said: “There’s so much innovation and resilience and it’s fantastic to see women in business across a wide range of sectors and backgrounds recognised, as well as ladies at different parts of their career journey, whether starting out in apprenticeship roles or already highly successful business leaders.”
Winners of the Enterprising Women Awards 2024:
Social Commitment Award (sponsored by Tomato Energy)
WINNER: Emma Sharpe – Menphys
Female Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Futures Housing Group)
WINNER: Sarah Illsley – Pentaxia
Female Employee of the Year (sponsored by Nelsons)
WINNER: Charlotte Barker – The Maynard
Emerging Leader Award (sponsored by Sarah Higgins Corporate Coaching)
WINNER: Alice Houghton – The George Hathersage
She Who Innovates in STEM (sponsored by Pick Everard)
WINNER: Elena Richards – Rolls Royce PLC
Female Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Fraser Stretton Property Group)
WINNER: Michelle Williams – Meesh Consulting
Small Business of the Year Award (sponsored by Unique Window Systems)
WINNER: Design Studio Architects
Team of the Year (sponsored by Breedon Consulting)
WINNER: Bodie Hodges Foundation
Businesswoman of the Year (sponsored by Michael Smith Switchgear)
WINNER: Andrea Gray – PPL PRS
Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Paradigm Wills & Legal Services)
WINNER: Lindsey Williams
Enterprising Women Co-Chair Special Recognition Awards
WINNER: Lai-Yee Cheung – Sanjay Foods
WINNER: Laura Holland – EcoTech Engineers
