Inspirational achievers from south Warwickshire were among those celebrated at the fifth Ladies First Professional Development Network Business Awards.

More than 300 people assembled at Coombe Abbey on Thursday (March 23) for the glittering awards ceremony, hosted by local musician and BBC radio presenter Sandra Godley.

Winners included Emily Biddle who was awarded Business Woman of the Year for Emily Jayne Hair & Beauty, in Southam. Also honoured were: Sue Ford from ActionCOACH in Warwick (Achieves Through Networking); Amanda Chalmers of Chalmers News PR in Warwick (Excellence In Media); Lisa Devine, Therapy & Fitness Centre, Leamington (Excellence In Health & Wellbeing); and Kate Wilson of Medics to Medics, from Kenilworth (Woman of Courage).

This year also saw the introduction of four new categories celebrating creatives - including Outstanding Woman In Sport, Outstanding Woman In Creative Arts, Woman In Music and The Sandra Godley Music Award.

The winners were selected from hundreds nominations across the UK at an independent judging day last month.

Special guests included The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Kevin Maton; Nurse May Parsons – the nurse who administered the first ever Covid injection in Coventry - and former member of The Drifters, Roy Hemmings.

Ladies First Ambassadors (image by Dy Holme of Spaces and Faces Photography)

Director of Ladies First, Tracey McAtamney, said after the event: "What a night of celebration and entertainment honouring inspirational women from across the country. We also welcomed Toyin Adekale, former Boney M Band Member who flew in from the USA to collect her award for Woman in Music International. In all, 30 awards were presented to some amazing ladies, men and rising stars!

"Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who all truly deserve recognition for their incredible achievements. It was wonderful to see so many women supporting and celebrating each other's successes."

The awards also raised £2,300 for two West Midlands charities, Coventry Foodbank and Surviving Bereavement, through an auction and raffle.

For further information visit the website.

Libby Wilson receives her Excellence In Education Award from Leia Welland of Pet Xi Training (image by Dy Holme of Spaces and Faces Photography)

The winners:

Business Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Janine Edwards Wealth Management)

Emily Biddle, Emily Jayne Hair & Beauty, Southam

Excellence In Health & Wellbeing (Sponsored by Air Aesthetics)

Lisa Devine, Therapy & Fitness Centre, Leamington

Excellence In Media (Sponsored by Alsters Kelley Solicitors)

Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR, Warwick

Amanda, a journalist of 30 years, said: "To be singled out among so many truly inspirational women is a moment of which I'm justly proud and goes a long way towards keeping that pesky imposter syndrome at bay! Truly humbled."

Achieves Through Networking (Sponsored by Business Women's Networking Ltd)

Sue Ford, ActionCOACH, Warwick

Sue said: "I am extremely proud to win this award! Ladies First Professional development has been a wonderful platform for meeting new business owners across the region and to be recognised for doing what I love is extra special."

Woman of Courage (Sponsored by Therapy & Fitness Centre)

Kate Wilson (Medics to Medics), from Kenilworth

Naomi Rees-Issitt (Or Jay Foundation), from Rugby

Deborah Yates, Birmingham

Kate resigned from her role as a paramedic to run Medics to Medics which packs and sends vital medical supplies to Ukraine.

She said: "I have never felt that my work for Ukraine has involved me being particularly brave or courageous; frankly it's been nothing short of an absolute privilege.

"They are the ones trying to do a job that I am all too familiar with, but under utterly horrendous conditions and often without supplies they need; as a paramedic myself, I cannot even begin to imagine how this would feel. Their bravery, resilience and infinite positivity as a nation is nothing short of inspirational and I feel honoured to work alongside them.

"This award, however, was always going to be dedicated to the women of Ukraine - some of who I am now proud to call my friends. This one is for you girls - I love you all."

Rising Star Award (Sponsored by Pet Xi Training Ltd)

Leanne Horne, Air Aesthetics, from Henley-in-Arden

Unique Business (Sponsored by Kew Little Pigs)

Sarah Day, One Day Film Productions, Henley-in-Arden

Service Provider of the Year (Sponsored by Chalmers News PR)

Charlotte Pitts, HR Consultants, from Stratford

Excellence In Marketing (Sponsored by Alsters Kelley Solicitors)

Hayley Alexander, Shakespeare Media, from Welford

Service Provider of the Year – Retail (Sponsored by Chalmers News PR)

Jayne Scandrett and Jane Medd, Justina and Dice, from Wellesbourne and Shipston

Business Entrepreneur (Sponsored by SEO Angel)

Paula Heaton, Belle Peau Beauty and Training School, from Rugby

Excellence In Education (Sponsored by Pet Xi Training Ltd)

Libby Wilson, The Old Rectory Nursery, from Rugby

Empowering Women (Sponsored by Ash Family Law Firm)

Karla Byrne, Domestic Abuse Support Hub, Rugby

Achieves In Business (Employee) (Sponsored by Binswood Audley)

Samantha Leleu, Pertemps Driver Training, from Gloucester

Successful Career From Home (Sponsored by Binswood Audley)

Helen Pritchett, The Soap Sisters, Birmingham

Man of the Year (Sponsored by Ladies First)

Michael Mogan MBE for charity work, from Coventry

Outstanding Woman In Creative Arts (Sponsored by Godley Music)

Pamela Aculey Kosminsky, from Tamworth

Woman In Sport (Sponsored by Godley Music)

Jay Bradford, from Coventry

Woman In Music (Sponsored by Godley Music)

Ruth Kelly, from Coventry

Woman In Music, International (Sponsored by Godley Music)

Toyin Adekale, USA

New Business (Sponsored by Alsters Kelley Solicitors)

Zoe Whittaker, Warrior's World, Coventry

Business Who Achieves for the Community

Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Across Coventry and Warwickshire

Inspirational Woman (Sponsored by Pertemps)

Karen Jones, The Giles Trust Brain Tumour Fund, from Balsall Common

Family Business (Sponsored by St Maur)

Helen Benussi, Benussi & Co, Birmingham

Man of the Year - Community (Sponsored by Ladies First)

Billy Sumner & Ryan Evans, Glitzy Bits Boutique, Coleshill

Excellence In STEM (Sponsored by Nomuda)

Gaynor Matthews, myNexus, Knowle

Inspirational Young Achiever (Sponsored by Pet Xi Training Ltd)

Chloe Hawryluk, Solihull

Rising Star Award (Sponsored by Pet Xi Training Ltd)

Hattie and Alice Mogan, Coventry

Achieves for the Community (Sponsored by Nomuda)

Jemma Paterson & Helen Bolus, Nurture Parenting Collective/Happy Mamas Solihull

Inspirational Author Award (Sponsored by Pertemps)

Hazel Carter, author/fundraiser for MND, Solihull

Achieves For Charity (Sponsored by Therapy & Fitness Centre)

Marcia Lewinson, WAITS, Birmingham

Woman of Achievement (Sponsored by Nikki Homes Property Consultants)

Catherine Williamson, JoFish and former President of The Speakers Association, Sutton Coldfield

Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Ladies First)

Colleen Fletcher MP for Coventry North East

Special Award (Sponsored by Ladies First)

Catherine Cossey, The Piano School, Coventry

Venue Award (Sponsored by Ladies First)

Mckees Brasserie, Haigs Hotel, Balsall Common