Stellar Line up for Northern Power Women awards

Northern Power Women Awards celebrates gender diversity

Northern Power Women, the campaign to improve gender diversity from the north of Eng- land, has revealed its high-powered judging panel in the lead up to the only awards that recognise men and women from the north of England who are helping to promote gender equality.

The impressive list features some of the UK’s leading gender diversity supporters, including former Minister for Women and Equalities, Jo Swinson, who has only praise for the cam- paign itself and founder, Simone Roche.

"Simone has created something special with her Northern Power Women campaign, which has harnessed huge energy from businesses and individuals to drive change, said Jo.

“It is therefore only right that we celebrate women and men who are committed to build- ing more equal and diverse workplaces, and these awards are a great way to do that,”

Other high-profile judges representing large corporations from across the country include David Fairhurst, Vice President People, McDonalds, Karen Hubbard, COO, B&M Retail, Ali Gayward, UK Commercial Manager, easyJet, Ian Morrison, Regional Leader Yorkshire & North East, PwC, and Heather Waters, Enterprise Manager, Northern England Territory, NatWest.

Simone Roche, founder of Northern Power Women, said that the awards are about longevity and helping to produce the next generation of leaders.

“While these awards are about celebrating organisations which are doing their part to pro- mote gender diversity, that’s not their only purpose. We’re creating a legacy that are about creating even more action, said Simone.

The Northern Power Women Awards have already attracted further high profile champions and striving for more exceptional nominations.

Steve Varley, Chairman, Regional Managing Partner UK & Ireland, EY said:

“EY is building a better working world and is committed to powering the North. We are de- lighted to be supporting the Northern Power Women awards by recognising

and celebrating female and male role models and leaders as well as showcasing our new generation in the Future 50 List.”

With nine award categories and the North’s Top 50 women and men who are providing inspiration and opportunity to women in the workplace, and a Top 50 leaders of the future list for these creating gender balanced workplaces, the awards are shaping up to highlight up and coming talent and celebrate those already playing a significant role.

The Guardian Women in Leadership are again media partner following the success of the Northern Power Women Conference in March of this year. Harriet Minter, Editor, said “We are delighted to partner the inaugural Northern Power Women awards after an amazing conference this year. The NPW campaign is going from strength to strength - great work.”

Nominations for all the categories, and for the ‘Top 50 Power List’ and the ‘Top 50 Future List' close on 18 December and winners will be announced at a gala awards dinner in Man- chester on 3 March 2016.

For more information or to make a nomination, visit www.northernpowerwomen.co.uk – ENDS –

Notes to the editor

For editorial information please contact:

The full list of confirmed judges is:

Sally Bucknell, Director, Diversity & Inclusiveness, EY

Paula Chadwick, CEO, Roy Castle Lung Foundation

Andrew Cornish, CEO, Liverpool Airport

Claire Dove OBE, CEO, Blackburne House Chair, Social Enterprise UK David Fairhurst, Vice President People, McDonalds

Ali Gayward, UK Commercial Manager, easyJet

Lady Grantchester, Solicitor, Author, Entrepeneur, Philanthropist, Patron

Stephanie Hamilton, MD, ISS Food & Hospitality

Penny Haslam, Business Journalist & Broadcaster

Karen Hubbard, COO, B&M Retail

Sue Jenkins, Partner, DAC Beachcroft

Jan Matthews, Chief Operating Officer, EC English Language Centres

Harriet Minter, Editor, Women in Leadership, Guardian

Jayne Moore, CEO, Moore Media

Ian Morrison, Regional Leader Yorkshire & North East, PwC

Sally Penni, Barrister at Kenworthys Chambers

Kellie Rixon MBE, Brand Director, Macdonald Hotels

Ruth Shaw, Head of Campaigns & Engagement, Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Jo Swinson, former women and equalities minister

Rob Waterman, CEO, CMA CGM (UK) Shipping Limited

Heather Waters, Territory Enterprise Manager, Northern England Territory, NatWest Carl Wood, MD, Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales


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