Business Women Scotland Issue 45 | Page 8

#BWSMAGAZINE AWARD WINNERS! Business Women Scotland celebrated the stars that make our leisure time shine, with the inaugural Women in Hospitality & Tourism Awards at the DoubleTree Hilton, Glasgow last week. The aim of the awards was to help recognise and increase the number of women working in senior leadership roles across the visitor economy. THE WINNERS WERE: BAR OF THE YEAR - Lorna Hardy, Cask Bar at DoubleTree Hilton Glasgow, Bars Manager BEST PLACE FOR WOMEN TO WORK - Stephanie Stubbs, Hickory FRONT OF HOUSE - Stacey Webster, Radisson Blu Edinburgh, Rooms Division Manager (Front of House) HOTELIER OF THE YEAR - Dale MacPhee, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, General Manager HR STAR - Carol Ramsay, Trump Turnberry, A Luxury Collection Resort, Director of HR & Training RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR - Giovanna Eusebi, Eusebi, Owner RISING STAR (and winner of a HIT Scholarship) - Nicole Sullivan, Hickory, Account Executive SPA MANAGER - Amy Yeates, Fairmont St Andrews, Director of golf, spa and leisure VENUE MANAGER - Dawn Balfour, Eskmills Venue, Venue Sales Manager LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Angela Vickers, Chief Executive of Apex Hotels We were pleased to be joined by Fiona Hyslop Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs who spoke passionately about the importance of women in these industries. She was joined by guest speakers Alice Beveridge (Director of Tree of Knowledge) and Petra Wetzel (MD of West Brewery). Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The inaugural Women in Tourism and Hospitality Awards not only recognise the achievements of the winners, but also help increase the number of women in senior leadership roles and to support those women considering entering the industry as a career. “Our tourism industry continues to flourish and serves to showcase Scotland and drive global appeal. As such, we need to make best use of all our assets, including our people. In 2015 only around 20% of Scottish SMEs were majority-led by women. “The Scottish Government is committed to unleashing the economic potential of women. The economic prospects for tourism look good and there is much for women in tourism and hospitality to be proud of.”This was the first in what we hope to be an annual awards event to recognise the fantastic women in both hospitality and tourism. The awards were supported by Scotlandcando, HIT Scotland, Women in Tourism and EventIt. Next years awards for women in Hospitality & Tourism 2018, details will be available soon. If you would like to be involved please contact [email protected] 8