BUSINESSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Cornerstone Business Solutions
WINNER : JANE ARMITAGE
( JACKSONS LAW FIRM )
Jane Armitage , managing partner at Stockton-based Jacksons Law Firm , announced it “ a great honour ” to take over the baton as Tees Businesswoman of the Year from predecessors Claire Preston and Sharon Lane .
Jane has had an outstanding career , continually demonstrating that being female is no barrier to being a success in law .
Over the last 12 months she has focused on guiding Jacksons through the pandemic and juggling a wide range of tasks during unprecedented times .
Passionate and committed , she has established and chaired Jacksons ’ Covid committee , pioneered an extensive programme of mentoring through work placements , acquired a qualification in mental health awareness and acted in significant transactions to ensure the firm remains financially secure .
“ I ’ m very proud to win this award ,” Jane said . “ Even though the event was online , you could still feel the emotion and the warmth that everyone had for each other
“ Whether you win or you ’ re shortlisted , it ’ s a really wonderful feeling and a welcome boost .” Jane takes her new position seriously . “ Being Businesswoman of the Year is a great responsibility and I want to use the focus it brings to inspire others . I want young people coming through to think that if I can do it , so can they - and there ’ s no reason why they can ’ t !”
Businesswoman of the Year Jane Armitage received her award from Chris Bibby of Cornerstone Business Solutions .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Carla Keegans ( The Ethical Housing Company )
Carla is founder / CEO of the Ethical Housing Company ( EHC ) and The Ethical Lettings Agency ( TELA ), sociallyfocused , Redcar-based businesses created to provide decent , affordable housing in the private rented sector to those in housing need .
Carla ’ s responsibilities are extensive and there is no part of the businesses she is not involved in . Nearly 400 people live in properties either owned by EHC or managed by TELA , many of whom would have been homeless otherwise .
An inspiration to women across Teesside , Carla is fearless and leads with purpose , taking on not only a maledominated private property industry but also an industry obsessed with profit and growth that is often at the expense of people and communities .
Jo Davies ( HR Alchemy )
As managing director of Middlesbrough-based HR Alchemy , Jo has spent nearly 25 years in human resources management . Having been made redundant in 2015 , Jo ’ s goal was to be her own boss and bring a great product to the market .
Since launching HR Alchemy from her dining room table in 2016 , Jo has employed three people and in the past 12 months her client base has reached over 100 .
Jo leads her team in effortless style , remaining up-to-date with all employment and HR matters . She innovates new ideas and solutions to make her clients ’ lives easier and is intuitive , instinctive and ambitious in every aspect of her career .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Cornerstone director Chris Bibby said : “ Though Cornerstone has always supported the Tees Businesswomen Awards , this is the first time we have sponsored the Businesswoman Of The Year , a really important category .
“ We were incredibly impressed with the level of entries . The three finalists are all from very different industries and any one would have been a worthy winner . Jo does our HR so it was great to see her as a finalist , and while we didn ’ t know much about Carla , having read about her and studied her application , it ’ s obvious that she has a great business with Ethical Housing .
“ It was a real pleasure to present the award to Jane Armitage , someone we ’ ve known for many years and know she will be a fantastic Businesswoman Of The Year . Well done to all !”