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

Four hundred people assembled at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in Southam for the glittering ceremony on Thursday (June 13), hosted by Kirsty Leahy, Karen Jones and 'Roberto.'

The evening's entertainment also included performances by Birmingham's Elmhurst Ballet School and singer Ruth Kelly, from Coventry.

Local winners included BBC radio presenter Trish Adudu who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Media, as well as Rugby's Louise Adkins, founder of Share Haulage, who was named Business Woman of the Year and Jackie Allan, who runs Revolve in Leamington who received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion & Retail. Journalist Sally Bee, from Stratford, was presented with a special Woman of Courage Award.

Trish, from Coventry has enjoyed a career in TV and radio spanning more than 30 years, including as an original member of ITV's Loose Women panel between 1999-2002. She is currently well known for presenting the Weekday Afternoon programme on BBC local radio. 

She said: "I am overjoyed and overwhelmed to receive this honour. I have watched Ladies First and their incredible rise in the community consciousness and been in awe of the stories that have been represented. With all those fantastic stories I'm proud to know that Tracey and her team have picked my story as one to honour. 

"I just wish Mum and Dad could have seen this but it was great that my supportive and wonderful partner Ezzie and my sons Tyler and Kennedy could be there to witness this incredible achievement."

Jackie Allan said: "Winning this award means so much and most of all I am proud that I have been in business for 35 years surviving recessions and Covid. We have adapted and our customers have always been loyal. This award shows how much the service we provide is appreciated by our customers and peers and it motivates me to continue working, always keeping positive." 

Sally Bee said: "Receiving this special award meant such a lot to me. Not least because it meant I was being recognised by other women who work hard to lift each other up and support one another.

"Surviving six heart attacks was tough, but it was the support of my women friends that had the strongest impact on me and I hope in turn, I can inspire other women to NEVER give up hope of a happy and successful life, no matter what traumas have been endured. Life is a journey, and any strength we have today is a result of our fears, traumas and vulnerabilities from the past.

"We, as women, just need to reframe our past story and believe that we are all women of courage."

Warwickshire winners recognised for their charitable and campaigning efforts were: Naomi Rees-Issit, from Rugby, founder of the OurJay Foundation; (Achieves For Charity); Amanda Burford, of Packmore Estates in Warwick (Volunteer of the Year); and Dr Tania Hebert, West Midlands Co-ordinator for Medical Ukraine, from Stratford (Campaign of the Year). 

Tania's work involves coordinating medical aid for Ukrainian hospitals, recently culminating in the formation of a registered charity, Ukrainian Medical Charity. 

She said: "This has been a labour of love and has sustained my mental health in coping with the pain of the illegal invasion of Ukraine. It means so much for our hard work to be recognised and I'm so grateful to our amazing volunteer team and donors."

On finding her local community centre not to be fit for purpose, Amanda Burford campaigned with the county council for a new purpose-built centre. Plans are now under way for a new centre at Packmore's Estate in Warwick.

On her win, she said: "I was totally shocked to have won as all the finalists were awesome! It's always nice to be recognised for the work we do at Packmores Community so this award is for all of us."

Following her son Jamie's death aged just 18, Naomi Rees-Issit has dedicated the last four years of her life to the OurJay charity, installing over 100 defibrillators across Warwickshire and Coventry. She has achieved huge national awareness with her campaigning and it's her ambition to have defibrillators installed on every street corner in the country.

Naomi said: "This award was for Jamie and all of OurJay, not just for me. Jamie's team are amazing and they work so hard for our precious boy.

"We now have 173 accessible defibrillators, plus 36 Snap Fitness gym defibs and a further 26 pitchside/mobile defibs. OurJays trustees, supporters, sparkies and friends and family are the people that deserve this amazing award." 

As Managing Director, Business Woman of The Year Louise Adkins has developed Share Haulage, in Clifton Upon Dusnmore, for the past 22 years, in which time the business has been awarded the prestigious FORS Silver Operator status.

She said of the win: "It's sometimes hard to believe in yourself and recognise your own achievements and effort, but to win an award for them is one of the greatest moments in my career.

"I want to continue to try and inspire the next generation of women to believe in themselves and strive for greatness. Thank you to Ladies First for an incredible evening, and congratulations to all the nominees and winners!"

From Leamington - Helen Morton, of Helen Morton Advocacy, claims the Awards' first Trailblazer of the Year award; and Emma Sansom, of Flamingo Marketing Strategies won the Business Resilience Award. Bianca Rodrigues-Perry celebrated being named Entrepreneur of the Year for her Bia's Kitchen Show, launched in January.

Bianca said: "The most rewarding aspect of winning an award, in my opinion, is witnessing the genuine cheers and joy of others as you achieve success. It fills me with happiness and gratitude to be recognized by a prestigious organization like Ladies First, which I deeply respect.

"Always remember, don't allow others to limit the scope of your dreams. This is just the start - there are no limits ahead!"

In a book she co-authored, You Can't Break Me, Emma Sansom, from Leamington, shares her story of resilience as she doubled her turnover during the pandemic.

She said: "The past five years have challenged me in ways I never anticipated when I started my own business (and the pandemic was just part of it!). Therefore, the recognition of our success at Flamingo meant the world to my entire team as we all celebrated together at the ceremony."

Elsewhere in the county, Anita Dinnes, of BCSL Consulting in Stratford, was awarded Business Consultant/Coach of the Year; Heather Ennes from Wellesbourne, was awarded Rising Star & Future Leader for her role as a freelance seafarer in Southampton; Tessa Rhodes, of Phoenix Ladies in Nuneaton won Networker of The Year and Julia Senah, also from Nuneaton, won the Excellence In Health & Wellbeing Award for her work at Almond Care, nurse-led complex care for adults and children with neurological conditions.

Anita Dinnes, of BCSL Consulting in Stratford, said: "It is extremely important to me to support small businesses on their journey to success, and to share the wisdom I've received from the generosity of others on my own journey, and that I have gained from first-hand experience building and selling my own businesses. For this reason, receiving the award is a huge honour."

Tessa Rhodes, who runs Phoenix Business Club in Nuneaton, said: "Through my networking group I am able to offer a safe environment for females to network whilst watching them grow in confidence and blossom.

"I am privileged to be able to share my own experiences with my network and offer the support they need to allow them to flourish. This award confirms to me that my hard work and dedication to this cause is so worthwhile and I am honoured to receive it."

Representing two of the men's categories, Richard Gunton, of Richard George Tailoring, in Leamington, won Business Man of the Year while business partners Robert Singleton and Gavin Leach, of Windmill Hill Brewing Company & Tavola Italian Restaurant, both in Leamington, scooped Business Resilience Man of the Year. 

Rob said: "We were so happy to be recognised by such an important network as Ladies First. It gives you encouragement to continue with the work we are doing and we took real inspiration from the other finalists at what was a really memorable evening."

Richard Gunton said of his award: "This is not only a success on a personal level, of which I am truly honoured and delighted, it is also a recognition of - and only achievable with - the support and dedication of the team and that of our loved ones. Furthermore, it is testament to the wonderful clients that we enjoy the company of on a daily basis."

This year also saw the introduction of new business categories including Sustainable Business Leader and Inclusivity Leadership as well as a special Inspirational Women Award going to The England Women's football team, The Lionesses.

The first winners in the new Young Futures First Awards section included Angus Baskerville, from Stratford. As well as being a sought-after magician, the 28-year-old entrepreneur is now inspiring others across the nation as an advocate for autism and mental health through his workshops and motivational speaking engagements.

He is also a neurodiversity ambassador for The Institute of Occupational Health.

Angus said: "I am beyond excited to have the opportunity over the next 12 months to benefit from the advice and mentorship of the Ladies First ambassadors to help me navigate the ups and downs of running my own business. Thank you Ladies First for believing in me."

The Awards, which were unveiled at The House of Commons in January, are headed up by Ladies First directors Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common and Karen Massey from Leamington.

Tracey and Karen said: "It was a phenomenal evening celebrating the achievements of women, men, and future young influencers in business. We couldn't be more proud of this inspiring event.

"Huge congratulations to all of our 2024 winners. We also want to express our gratitude to all our sponsors, without whom this event wouldn't have been possible. Thank you to the IXL Centre for creating a wonderful experience for our guests. We can't wait to see what 2025 will bring."

The evening, which included an auction and raffle and £5k ring prize drawer courtesy of Shipton & Co in Stratford, also raised £8,000 for The Giles Trust Brain Tumour Fund. The charity was stablished in 2015 by former England cricketer Ashley Giles MBE and his wife Stine, who was diagnosed with three brain tumours over 12 years. The charity raises funds for research, pioneering equipment and support for patients.

Full list of winners can be found here: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk/2024-winners/