Women Leaders' Awards 2024

We are so excited to be launching the 2024 awards. This annual celebration of the remarkable women living or working in the MK area is an inspiring, joyful evening in which we come together to recognise wonderful role-models across all sectors. We will be encouraging even more businesses and even more women to get involved, to nominate and to join us in our vision to inspire more women to be confident leaders, to champion equity and to raise the aspirations of girls and young women from all backgrounds

Dr. Julie Mills OBE, DL - Chair of the Board of Trustees

Women Leaders' Awards - Our Finalists

#NoneOfTheAbove-

*Caroline Cropper*

*Michelle Lewis*

*Nana Oguntola*

Winner: Michelle Lewis

 

Community Impact (Volunteer)

*Christy Amalu*

*Jilly Dyer*

*Lucy Davies*

Winner: Lucy Davies

 

Community Impact (Employed)

*Laura Tingey*

*Louisa Hobbs*

*Sue Burke*

 

Winner: Louisa Hobbs

 

Digital and Technology

*Bukky Babajide*

*Jaisal Surana*

*Jessica Sheridan*

Highly Commended: Bukky Babajide

Winner: Jaisal Surana

 

Emerging Leader

*Ajira Bouchada*

*Bridgit Richards*

*Charlotte Walters*

Winner: Charlotte Walters

 

Engineering, Science and Maths

*Ayser Al-Jawad*

*Courtney Gammon*

*Zoe Haycocks*

Winner: Zoe Haycocks 

 

Entrepreneur

*Ajira Bouchada*

*Hannah Klewpatinond*

*Lindsay McInnis*

Winner: Lindsay McInnis 

 

Healthcare

*Celia Hyem-Smith*

*Lindsay McInnis*

*Ros McFadden*

Winner: Ros McFadden 

 

Manufacturing and Construction

*Sarah Watt*

*Suzanne Moss*

*Yvonne Patsanza*

Winner: Yvonne Patsanza

 

Professional Services

*Andrea Smith*

*Courtney Gammon*

*Zoe Mills*

Winner: Zoe Mills

 

Skills, Education and Training

*Enesha Mahbubani*

*Louise Ellis*

*Professor Deba Bardhan-Correia*

*Zoe Mills*

Winner: Louise Ellis

Sport, Leisure and Retail

*Christine Blair*

*Priti Joseph*

*Stephanie Chappell*

Winner: Priti Joseph

 

Music, Arts and The Creative

*Ajira Bochada*

*Elia Johnston*

Winner: Ajira Bochada

 

Uniformed and Public Services

*Neelam Shiraz*

*Sharon Bridglalsingh*

Winner: Neelam Shiraz

 

Cranfield Women’s Leadership Programme

Sharon Bridglalsingh

Outstanding Contribution

Ayser Al-Jawad

Congratulations to you all-
Pictures to follow

Women Leaders Awards 2024
NHBC Panel Discussion

Sarah has worked in the construction industry for nearly 20 years, working her way up the promotional ladder in a male orientated industry and coming through from a non-traditional route, she has experienced significant challenges and adversity. Sarah has made it her mission to support other women, bringing them up with her, creating opportunities and taking action around gender parity, as well as trying to inspire the next generation into STEM careers through her work with young people.

As a trustee on the board of Women Leaders UK, Sarah is able to work with like-minded influential people in our community to really effect change.

In her third decade within the construction skills arena and the last 9 years in the home building sector, Sara manages shaping the future for NHBC’s market-leading training developed by industry experts, including NVQs, apprenticeships, short courses and webinars for the construction sector. 

Whilst considering quality and adaptability with industry changes, providing the sector with a suite of products that support the journey to competency and NHBC’s core purpose of building confidence in the construction quality of new homes.

A highly motivated and organised HR Senior Leader currently heading up teams in Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development and DE&I for NHBC.

 

Previously Business Partnering in functional areas of Resourcing, Early Careers, Culture and Strategy, as the SME or as the Project manager leading on a HR change or transformational programmes.  Leading and managing high performing teams both nationally and internationally. Broad ranging sector experience in Financial Services, Consulting, and the non-for-profit Education/Charity sector.

Jenny joined the Home Builders Federation (HBF) in August 2016 to lead the Home Building Skills Partnership (HBSP), which is a collaboration of home builders working together to attract and develop the workforce of the future and change the culture of the home building sector. Prior to joining HBF she undertook a variety of skills roles across the public and private sectors. Formerly at the UK Commission for Employment and Skills she led the team advocating employers collaborate together on the skills development of their collective workforce. Within the National Apprenticeship Service, Jenny encouraged large employers to grow their involvement in Apprenticeships. 

 

Current Partners, Sponsors and Supporters for the 2024 Awards

Sponsors

Our Allyship Sponsor

Supporters

Our Official Event Photographer

IDAZA: FREEDOM AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING
"MKFM is delighted to be partnering with Women Leaders 2024, recognising outstanding women, promoting and strengthening women’s leadership, and supporting gender equality and diversity. Through our partnership with Women Leaders, MKFM are able to bring the community together to support the event not just this year, but hopefully for many years to come. MKFM can’t wait to be a part of the Women Leaders' Awards 2024!"
MKFM
"All Things Business is the most-read business publication for Milton Keynes, providing a platform for companies and organisations across the city to tell their stories. Having only discovered the Women Leaders' Awards when we were invited to attend last year's, it was clearly something we wanted to support and promote. We're proud to be a media partner this year, celebrating the inspirational women who live and work in Milton Keynes"
All Things Business
"Our partnership with Women Leaders UK strongly supports NHBC's commitment to ensuring equity for women in our industry and for supporting our community. This is why, as an organisation firmly rooted in Milton Keynes, we are proud to be Headline Sponsors for the Women Leaders' UK Awards in 2024, which will showcase successes of women in our community as well as exemplifying aspirational role models to inspire others in their own careers"
NHBC
“Cranfield’s long heritage in championing diversity and women’s leadership in business aligns naturally with the work of Women Leaders UK. We are pleased to be working together, fostering our shared values and promoting the success of women and their achievements in the workplace”
Cranfield Executive DevelopmentCEO
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Women Leaders UK provides the opportunity for you to support the women in your business, as well as the wider community, in the wonderful city of Milton Keynes. There are lots of ways to support and several partnership packages designed to affiliate sponsors’ and partner’s own branding with the growing impact of the Women Leaders’ charity.

Please contact us ad [email protected] to request our partnership and sponsorship pack for more information.

Women Leaders' Awards 2024 - Launch Event'

On 15th February, we hosted a launch event to introduce the awards, to showcase the kind of achievements we are looking for as well as opening the nominations themselves. The event was held at the South Central Institute for Technology at Milton Keynes College in Bletchley.

We heard from our presenters, headline sponsors and panelists to help you to see exactly what the awards are all about.

Women Leaders' Awards 2023

2023 Winners