TEES TALK
Sharon Lane, managing director, Tees
Components
“The Tees Businesswomen Awards are all about
showcasing and providing that opportunity for
women who will probably otherwise stay in the
shadows. The inaugural awards have created a really
good network of businesswomen. They’ve really
started something.
“To anyone thinking about entering this year’s
awards, I’d say don’t hesitate, don’t feel shy about
it, don’t feel that you haven’t done enough to merit
entering. Get your application in because if you get
an award, it’s something you’ve got for life. It’s also a
great way to open up opportunities for yourself.”
Claire Preston, CEO, Lexonik & 2018 Tees
Businesswoman of the Year
“The Tees Businesswomen Awards are important
because there’s a huge amount of female talent and
untapped potential in the region, as well as amazing
work going on that deserves to be highlighted.
The awards are an opportunity for similarly minded
people to get together and use their voices in a
really positive way.
“Off the back of the inaugural awards, I’ve been
working with people I’d probably never have come
into contact with. The awards have given me a
forum and a voice that would not otherwise have
been possible. Entering the awards is a wonderful
opportunity to work with other people, to collaborate
and to celebrate.”
Jane Turner OBE, pro vice chancellor and gender
champion, Teesside Univerity
“The Tees Businesswomen Awards are vital,
particularly for this region, because we have
got some catching up to do in terms of balance,
transparency and visibility of women in this region.
“The first awards identified over 100 women that
were doing some amazing things, largely under the
radar, so it brought that visibility. And as a result
of that event I now have a network of women that
I didn’t have before. The awards are so important
in helping to drive traction and momentum for
women in this region - to help them walk a bit taller
and identify female role models for our younger
generation.”
Jess Williams, managing director, Just
Williams, Best New Business winners, Tees
Businesswomen Awards 2018
“The Businesswomen Awards are vital for this
region in really supporting and encouraging women
in business to step into the limelight. Sometimes
you have to step outside of your comfort zone, and
it might not come naturally to enter an award or
self-promote, but it’s hugely important for us as a
region to have inspirational women leaders that we
can look up to.
“So I’d encourage anyone and any female-inspired
local business, no matter how big or small, to enter.
It has helped our business a great deal, and has
really helped to put us on the map.”
With entries now open and a date set for the
2019 Tees Businesswomen Awards, we ask
female business leaders to explain why the
awards are important and what the benefits
are of gaining recognition.
Caroline Theobald CBE, chair of FIRST
“The first Tees Businesswomen Awards event was
just wonderful. Women don’t often put themselves
forward for awards, so it actually gives women who
wouldn’t normally do that an opportunity to do it in
a supportive environment.
“Women are now taking risks and pushing
through boundaries to achieve more senior roles.
These awards raise the profiles of inspirational
women and send a clear message to females in the
region and our next generation that we can achieve
whatever we want to be and help build diversity
within the workplace.”
Liza Pontone, chartered financial planner,
Active Chartered Financial Planners
“Since being shortlisted in the Breaking the Mould
category in last year’s awards, my professional
business profile has been elevated within the
region and beyond, in the financial industry which is
particularly male-dominated.
“I’ve collaborated with Teesside University to
inspire the next generation of women, helping
them to build a resilient mind set. I also have plans
to further develop my career by studying for an
MBA, while I plan to bridge the industry gender
gap by educating schoolchildren about a career path
into financial services.”
Yasmin Khan, chief officer, The Halo Project,
winner of Inspiring Others Award & Charity/
Voluntary Award, Tees Businesswomen Awards
2018
“The Tees Businesswomen Awards is such
a significant event, not only to recognise the
contribution and diversity women bring to the sub-
region’s economy and success but to harness the
talent we have on our doorstep - talent to influence
the future growth of the Tees Valley and provide
innovation in doing so.
“Since last year’s ceremony I’ve been afforded
opportunities to raise the awareness of vulnerable
women and girls to new audiences, and explored
new partnerships for meeting some of the
disadvantages they face. Collectively, with some
remarkable women in the region, I’m confident we
are on the cusp of something very special, not only
for women but for all of us who live and work in the
Tees Valley.”
Andrea Pearson, senior engineer, SABIC,
winner of Breaking the Mould Award, Tees
Businesswomen Awards 2018
“The Tees Businesswomen Awards are important
to showcase the breadth of talent in our region.
By highlighting successful women across all
industries, we give local youngsters role models to
aspire to and show them what exciting, rewarding
jobs and opportunities are out there for them.
“The awards are an opportunity for companies
to recognise their female employees by showing
them how proud they are of their achievements,
and they ensure that we continue to shout about
the success stories on our doorstep.”