Women 1st unveils Shine Awards 2011 shortlist

The shortlist for the 2011 Shine Awards, which recognise and celebrate female success within the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry, has been announced by Women 1st.

 

More than 250 nominations were received for the Shine Awards, which this year will be complemented by the inaugural publication of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in the industry.

 

Natalie Bickford, Sodexo's HR director and chair of Women 1st, said: "Our judges were impressed with the outstanding nominations this year and all of those shortlisted are an inspiration to us all.

 

"Showcasing females in the industry who have worked hard to achieve their career aspirations will inspire countless others to emulate that success and continue to make a valuable contribution."

 

The shortlist for each category is as follows:

 

Outstanding Entrepreneur

• Jillian MacLean, founder and managing director, Drake & Morgan
• Wendy Shand, founder, Tots to Travel
• Camellia and Namita Panjabi, co-owners, Masala World
• Lou Willcock, founder and director, IndiCater

 

Woman of the Year

• Jill McDonald, chief executive officer, McDonald's UK & president Northern Division
• Victoria Sanders, managing director, Teletext Holidays
• Jane Sunley, chief executive officer, Learn Purple
• Michelle Hanson, commercial director, Sodexo

 

Mentor

• Carrie Wicks, director of operations, Firmdale Hotels PLC
• Lou Willcock, founder and director, IndiCater
• Jez Langhorn, vice president, people, McDonald's

 

Rising Star

• Xoe Donovan, general manager, The Longford House Beefeater and Cannock South Premier Inn
• Anna Baker, senior marketing executive, Bourne Leisure
• Wendy Halsall-Bennett, general services manager, Sodexo
• Lifetime achievement award
• Robyn Jones OBE, founder, CH&Co
• Gill Benwell, director, Bourne Leisure
• Vivien Sirotkin, operations director, Q Hotels
• Maggie Berry, chair, Farm Stay UK (retired 2010)

 

The shortlist for the large and small business of the year awards will be announced separately.

 

The winners will be announced on 31 March at the Savoy Hotel, London where broadcaster Gaby Roslin will host the evening. The last remaining tickets for the event are available at: www.people1st.co.uk/top100.

 

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By Janie Stamford

 

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