WOMEN IN BUSINESSNI
Women in Business NI Awards recognise excellence
he sixth annual Women in Business Awards saw Suzanne Wylie , chief
Texecutive of Belfast City Council , scoop the highly coveted Outstanding Business Woman of the Year Award , sponsored by Alexander Mann Solutions .
Thirteen other trophies were handed out on a night of glitz , glamour and high entertainment as more than 400 from the local business community gathered at the Ramada Plaza , Belfast last Thursday evening for what has become the defining event for female entrepreneurs and womenled businesses across Northern Ireland .
Since taking up the post of chief executive of Belfast City Council in July 2014 , Suzanne has steered the Council through Local Government Reform , the most significant change the organisation and the sector has experienced in decades .
In winning the top Award of the night , Suzanne was recognised by the judging panel to be a dominant face in the public sector , leading one of our largest public bodies with great aplomb and success .
Commenting on the winners , Women in Business chief executive Roseann Kelly said ; “ They are all women with vision and determination , qualities that have contributed to their success . Some lead businesses that are household names , others will achieve that recognition in the future . All are joined by a common goal to succeed and to inspire .”
Ms Kelly added that The Ramada Plaza was teeming with inspirational women , not least special guest speakers , former Tanaiste Mary Harney , and founder of one of the world ’ s leading provider of talent acquisition and management services , Rosaleen Blair .
“ They are such fantastic role models not just for females in business but the business community as a whole .
“ Indeed , everyone in the room tonight should be proud of the role they play and contribution they make to our economy .
“ The Awards are all about shining a light on achievements – big and small and encouraging the next generation of female business women to be just as inspired and successful .”
The judging panel for this year ’ s Awards included Imelda McMillan ( chair , Women in Business ); Ellvena Graham ( chair , NI Economic Advisory Group ); Evelyn Collins ( chief executive , Equality Commission for NI ); Hester Larkin ( Global Client Partner , Alexander Mann Solutions ; Roseann Kelly ( chief executive , Women in Business ); and Gary McDonald ( Irish News business editor ).
The Women in Business Award Winners
The winners of the 2016 Women in Business Awards in association with Alexander Mann Solutions were : Advancing Diversity in the Workplace ( sponsored by Equality Commission ): Sharon Martin , Terex GB Best Customer Service – corporate ( sponsored by Diamond Recruitment ); Sinead McCann , Corick House Hotel and Spa Best Customer Service small business ( sponsored by Diamond Recruitment ); Sarah Mackie , Larchfield Estate Best Exporter ( sponsored by QA Travel ): Sinead Murphy , Shnuggle Best in Professional Services – corporate ( sponsored by The Progressive ): Sinead Dillon , Fujitsu Best in Professional Services small business ( sponsored by The Progressive ): Jayne Taggart , Causeway Enterprise Agency Best Marketing Campaign ( sponsored by Pierce Communications ): Zoë McCullough , Suki Tea Best New StartUp ( sponsored by Go for It ): Niamh Taylor , Digital Twenty Four Best Small Business ( sponsored by Danske Bank ): Alicia Peyrano , Little Citizens Boutique Excellence in IT ( sponsored by The Irish News ): Sue McLaughlin , Bluebird Care Coleraine Outstanding Innovation : Kerry Nevins , Babocush
Keynote Speaker , Mary Harney
Outstanding Leadership & Management ( sponsored by Belfast City Council ): Ursula Lavery , Moy Park Young Business Woman of the Year ( sponsored by Department for the Economy ): Yolanda Cooper , Vita Liberata Outstanding Business Woman of the Year ( sponsored by Alexander Mann Solutions ): Suzanne Wylie , Belfast City Council
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