Standing ovation for Sutton Women Mean Business Awards first Businesswoman of the Year
Sutton’s first Businesswoman of the Year received a rapturous standing ovation at the sparkling 2019 awards ceremony.
On a night of amazing winners, Caroline Odogwu of She Is You UK was unanimously chosen to receive the premier prize at the inaugural Sutton Women Mean Business Awards.
A stunned but delighted Caroline, whose company helps vulnerable young women to succeed and believe in themselves, said the award was a tremendous validation of everything she was trying to achieve.
Caroline said: “I am speechless – I’m so honoured to win. I want to congratulate everyone who was nominated – I think we all really deserve this award. I’ll continue to do the work I’m really passionate about which is about inclusion and diversity, empowering young women and helping them recognise their potential.”
Host Fayon Dixon welcomed more than 170 guests to the Awards Ceremony on the 14th floor of the landmark Quadrant House in Sutton. They enjoyed dinner and networking at a Prosecco drinks reception sponsored by Riva Bingo, before the all-important awards presentations by the sponsors and judges. All of them praised the high standard of nominees for the nine category awards, many of whom had overcome immense challenges to succeed.
Winners: Sutton Women Mean Business Awards in Association With Willmott Dixon
Business Woman of the Year
Winner:Caroline Odogwu, She Is You UK
Business Entrepreneur
Winner: Rhiannon Ray, Presto Performing Arts
Highly Commended:Emma O’Brien, Be Beautiful Health & Beauty Centre
Commended:Charlotte Harris, Village Ceramics & Bibbidi Bobbidi Balloons
Commended:Tracey Witherington, The Glamour Garage
Contribution to the Community
Winner:Elena Nicola, Nickel Support
Highly Commended:Caroline Odogwu, She Is You UK
Commended:Christine Lindsay, Gary Mason Rhythmical Empowerment Charitable Foundation & Wallington Community Wellbeing Charity
Corporate Leader
Winner: Jaci Barnes, Sutton Housing Partnership
Highly Commended: Jessica Crowe, London Borough Sutton
Employer of the Year
Winner: Kate Gibson, Gibsons
Highly Commended: Heather Hamilton, Sutton Housing Partnership
Commended: Samantha Dalziel, Lucy Watkins, & Hannah Manning, Rescue Mums
Rising Star
Winner: Caroline Odogwu, She Is You UK
Highly Commended: Lauren Bradley, The Officials
Commended: Mellissa Towers, Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust
Women in Education, Skills and Training
Winner: Pauline Hennessy, Sutton Women’s Centre
Highly Commended: Sarah Lester, Lingotot Sutton
Commended: Maxine Kilgour, Moojangles
Women in Front Line Services
Winner: Mellissa Towers, Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust
Highly Commended: Lisa Watkins, Orchard Hill College
Commended: Rachel Addy, Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust
Women in Retail
Winner: Vanessa Udall, House of Flowers
Highly Commended: Louisa Pini, Just Be Natural
Commended: Michelle Scicluna, Me Me Jewellery
Women in STEM
Winner: Olivia Rossanese, The Institute of Cancer Research
Highly Commended: Liz James, Subsea 7
Commended: Kathryn O’Brian Skerry, The Scientastic Experiment Club
