The chief executive of a leading Plymouth charity was among the winners at the inaugural West Country Women Awards.
Hannah Shead, chief executive of the women’s charity Trevi, was named winner in the category for Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls, which was sponsored by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall.
Trevi was the awards’ charity of the year and, with the help of the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Sue Dann, more than £2,000 was raised on the night.
Other Plymouth winners were Emma Hewitt of Plymouth City Council who won the Inspirational Leader Award and Sarah Newberry from YMCA Plymouth who was named Employee of the Year.
Emma was nominated, twice, for her leadership of the Building Plymouth skills partnership with the construction industry, and the vision for Skills Launchpad Plymouth – which has already been recognised with Innovation Awards locally and regionally. Her award was sponsored by Ward Williams Associates.
Sarah heads fundraising, career and corporate sales at YMCA Plymouth and her award was sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson.
More than 320 guests, finalists and sponsors from across the South West attended the sold out inspirational awards ceremony and gala dinner held at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth at the beginning of December.
The awards celebrate and recognise women all across the peninsula in all walks of life from women in health to women in sport, combatting violence against women and girls to green business of the year and more.
Hosts for the event were Alexis Bowater and Tess Stuber, co-founders of the West Country Women Awards.
Alexis said:
“I have run women in business networks and awards here in the south west for 10 years now. The last were just for business but this time we decided to make it about everybody’s business. So we introduced new categories, hoping to encompass and reflect more of our lives, in and out of the office.”
There were over 1,000 nominations of women across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, 90 semi finalists, 50 finalists and 16 winners.
Richard Stevens, managing director of main sponsors Go South West, said:
”We were delighted to support the West Country Women Awards, the evening celebrated and showcased, inspirational women from across the region from a diverse range of businesses and enterprises.
“I was blown away by the calibre of talent and drive we were privileged to witness. I believe that the legacy from the awards will benefit our communities, through showcasing amazing role models for girls and women. I look forward to next year’s event, I know we can encourage even more entrants and celebrate their many successes”
Every sponsor emphasised the outstanding calibre of their category finalists when presenting the winner with their West Country Women Awards trophy.
