Women 1st opens nominations for 2014 Shine Awards

Women 1st, the initiative that aims to increase the number of women working in senior positions in hospitality and the wider tourism and visitor economy sector, has opened nominations for its annual Shine Awards. Now in its 10th year, the Women 1st Shine Awards are the only awards that exclusively celebrate the achievements of women working in the hospitality, passenger transport, travel, tourism and retail industries, as well as the mentors and businesses in those industries that actively support the career development of women. The categories for this year’s Women 1st Shine Awards are:

• Rising Star
• Stepping Up
• Outstanding Entrepreneur
• Mentor of the Year
• Woman of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement
• Small Business
• Large Business

The awards were launched on the 29th April 2014 at a Women 1st networking event at The May Fair hotel in London; hosted in partnership with Unilever Food Solutions, which is sponsoring the awards for the fourth year running. Managing director of Unilever Food Solutions, Tracey Rogers, said: “As a company that invests heavily in the development of its female talent, we understand that having a good balance of men and women in senior positions makes good business sense. “Awards like the Women 1st Shine Awards play a critical role in creating a momentum for change, helping to raise aspirations and highlighting good practice across the whole tourism and visitor economy.”

Women 1st director, Simone Roche, said: “Running the Women 1st Shine Awards is always a hugely motivating and inspirational experience. Our research shows that women report a lack of visible role models as one of the biggest barriers to their career progress, and we’re passionate about changing that. “Winning a Women 1st Shine Award is a brilliant way for women to raise their own profile and for businesses to shout about why they are a great employer for women. We’re looking forward to receiving this year’s nominations!”

• Nominations for the Women 1st Shine Awards will close on 7th July and can be made at www.women1st.co.uk/awards.
• The awards are free to enter and the winners will be announced at a dinner at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square on 16 September.
• The awards evening will also see Women 1st induct 10 more women into the prestigious Top 100 Club – a network of the most influential women in hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism, who act as ambassadors and role models for the female leaders of tomorrow.
• Current members include hotelier, Alex Polizzi; chef Angela Hartnett and broadcaster and writer Prue Leith.