This time last year I attended the first-ever Tees Businesswomen awards at Wynyard Hall as a guest of Teesside University & Professor Jane Turner. The event was a first for Teesside, to recognise women in the region and to bring more of a spotlight on businesswomen in the area and show what can be achieved. I remember it being such an inspiring evening, although I was nervous and had a feeling of ‘impostor syndrome’ as there were so many fantastic businesswomen in the room, I felt a little out of place. I’ve never come away from a single event with such motivation and drive to succeed.
The awards are a great way to celebrate women in Teesside but also to inspire the younger generation like myself to succeed in business. Flash-forward a year and I had officially made the shortlist in the category ‘Inspiring Others’. I’d found out about the shortlist nomination early October and it was an emotional day.
The business awards were always something I’d wanted in my 5-year plan, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. A few weeks before the event, I received an email with who I’d been shortlisted alongside, from that moment I’d won. I was in the shortlist with someone who is a phenomenal role model to women in the North East, that being Professor Jane Turner.
Thursday 24th October: The evening of Tees Businesswomen Awards
I was grateful to my parents & partner who attended the evening with me, it was great for some moral support and to share the experience, especially as they’ve been there such a great support network throughout my journey and I wouldn’t be in the position I am, without them.
We arrived for welcome drinks at 6.30 pm and there was a real buzz in the room upon entering, everyone was enjoying a glass of prosecco and it was a great chance to network. We seated at 7 pm to enjoy the rest of the event from the main part of the grand marquee at Wynyard Hall. The event was in a different part of the Wynyard Hall from last due to the growing success & popularity of the event from around 250 attendees at last year’s event to over 440 a year later!
Entertainment was provided by the fantastic Amelia Coburn a nominee for BBC Radio 2 Young Folk award who sang two fantastic songs throughout the evening. The evening was presented by Charlie Charlton who is a North East broadcast journalist for BBC Radio.
The Tees Businesswomen awards are a chance for everyone in the area to shout about successful female entrepreneurs, business owners, directors & managers that drive businesses in Teesside. 10 awards were given out throughout the ceremony including Businesswomen of the year, Lifelong inspiration award, Breaking the mould, Inspiring others, Best Newcomer, SME of the year, among others.
Tees Businesswomen Awards 2019 Winners
I was honoured to be in the category ‘Inspiring Others’ where the shortlist nomination had come mainly from ‘Women in Collaboration’, I feel. So I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all the women that have attended the events over the last year. I cannot believe how far we’ve come. From our first event with 15 attendees to averaging 60 per event. Throughout 2019 over 500 women have attended WIC and for that, I am truly grateful. I hope they inspire you as much as they inspire me!
The winner of the ‘Inspiring Others’ award was Catherine Devereux in recognition of her work setting up children’s mental health charity, the Russ Devereux Headlight Project in her husband’s memory.
The surprise award “Outstanding contribution for inspirational leader” was handed to Professor Turner in recognition of her work to motivate and empower young women to fulfil their potential and achieve their ambitions.
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Ellie Rees