Women 1st Shine Award Winners Announced

Last night saw outstanding women in the hospitality industry rewarded for their contributions to the sector at the Women 1st Shine Awards.

The event, held at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, recognises female excellence within hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism and saw Margot Slattery, managing director Ireland and Northern Ireland, Sodexo Ltd chosen as the Woman of the Year.

Other awards included Mentor of the Year, which went to Debrah Dhugga, general manager, Dukes St. James London and the Stepping Up Award, won by Sarah Swaysland, marketing manager, Be At One cocktail bars.

As well as the awards’ ceremony, 23 female business leaders were inducted into the Women 1st Top 1000 Club of the Most Influential Women in the four sectors. For members, inclusion into this exclusive club signifies the peak of their career and their achievements as positive role models inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Some of the newest associates included Lynn Hood, managing director, The Belfry Hotel and Golf Resort and Susan Martindale, group HR director, Mitchells & Butlers.

Simone Roche, director of Women 1st says: “The quality of the nominations for the Women 1st Shine Awards improves year on year setting the benchmark even higher. 2013 was no exception giving our judging panel the unenviable task of choosing a winner from a number of exceptional nominations in each category. The calibre of our winners and the new inductees into the Top 100 Club suggests that the future success of the industry is in safe hands. Women 1st is proud to recognise the accomplishments that the Shine Awards showcase and we hope they will encourage and motivate both women and men to pursue their career aspirations, within our industry, with tenacity and enthusiasm.”

The full Top 100 Club list can be viewed at www.women1st.co.uk/top-100 and details of the Shine Awards winners can be viewed at www.women1st.co.uk/awards