Warwickshire's inspirational achievers shine at women's business awards
Inspirational achievers from Warwickshire were among those celebrated at the seventh Ladies First Professional Development Network Business Awards.
Three hundred people assembled at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in Southam, for the glittering ceremony last week, hosted by Kirsty Leahy and Karen Jones.
The evening's entertainment included performances by Birmingham's Elmhurst Ballet School and singers Pippa Langhorne, Colin 'Sugarfoot Mills' and Ruth Kelly.
Headline winners on the night included the Business Woman of the Year, Abigail Edmunds from Stratford and Elinor Perry, of Pentlands Accountants, in Leamington who was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Lianne Kirkman was awarded the Community Champion prize after founding The Esther Project a women-only initiative to provide gender-specific support - as well as launching The Esther House - a seven-bed supported living accommodation in Leamington, providing a safe space for women to recover.
Lianne Kirkman receives her Community Champion Award from Louise Evans and Suzanne Draper (image via Everybody Smile Photography)
Lianne said: "I am so proud and was completely overwhelmed.
"This award may have my name on it, but I received it on behalf of our whole team at The Esther Project.
"You can't achieve what we have in this last year without a strong team of people standing beside me.
"As a volunteer myself, and with some other amazing ladies also giving their time for free, we have really achieved so much to establish The Esther Project as an independent community project this last year."
Elinor Perry of Pentlands Accountants in Leamington said: "This was a real 'pinch me' moment and completely unexpected. 2025 is a particularly special year, marking 20 years of owning and leading Pentlands and 25 years of working in the business.
"To be recognised at this milestone is just wonderful. It's a real honour, and I was so pleased that friends, clients, and members of the Pentlands team were there to share in such a special moment."
Abigail Edmunds said: "Since taking over Domino Style eight years ago I have worked so hard to make sure the business a success in what is a very competitive and tough market.
"So to win this award and to be recognised in this way is incredible, especially in a competition full of so many incredible and inspiring women!
"However, I wouldn't be here without the huge support I receive on a daily basis from my incredible Domino team, my family and friends for their unwavering support and to my amazing customers."
Other local winners were: Tracy Benbow and Wendy Coris, of Fabulous Suppers in Warwickshire; (Family Business of the Year); Beverly Clarke, of Spear Travels in Stratford (Excellence In Professional Services); Harpreet Stevenson, of Collective Companion, in Warwickshire (Excellence In Marketing); Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR in Warwick (Excellence In Media); Alana Patchett, of Purple Monster, in Warwick (Excellence In Technology & Innovation); Clare Haynes, of Wildfire in Leamington (Business Consultant/Coach of the Year); Lianne Kirkman, of The Esther Project in Leamington (Community Champion); Preeti Lekhi, of Seymours Solicitors in Leamington (Women In Property); Sophie Howe, of Comtec Translations in Leamington (Inclusive Leadership); Cynthia Tamraz, of Café Desa in Leamington (Excellence In Independent Food); Natalka Hunka of Aspire HR & Training Consultants in Knowle (Start-Up of the Year) and Chris Pickering, of L Pickering & Sons in Warwick (Businessman of the Year).
Natalka Hunka said: "I am shocked, humbled, and overwhelmed to be chosen as the winner of the Business Start-Up of the Year Award for Ladies First 2025 after only being in business a few months.
"My category was a very tough one with many nominations and finalists and to be chosen from those was fabulous."
Tracy Benbow said: "We feel so proud to be amongst such talented, dynamic, supportive businesses and business owners. The competition for the award was fierce and we are so grateful to our clients, suppliers and our families who have supported us so far. We absolutely love what we do and the award is very much gratefully received."
Beverly Clarke said: "Winning the Excellence in Professional Services is a very proud moment in my career."
Harpreet Stevenson said: "Winning the Excellence in Marketing Award marks a huge milestone for Collective Companion as we grow! I'm still in shock, but I'm also so excited and feeling honoured to have won!"
Amanda Chalmers said: "Another proud moment in the journey of Chalmers News PR, now into its seventh year. I dedicate it to all the amazing clients who have entrusted me with their businesses and charities and feel honoured to be recognised for doing something I absolutely love turning up for every day!"
Alana Patchett said: "This recognition means a great deal, and it reflects the incredible work of the entire team at Purple Monster. We're proud to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the virtual event space—of course, always grounded in the importance of human connection. It was a privilege to be part of such a strong category, surrounded by talented and inspiring women who are making waves in tech and innovation. I celebrate every one of them!"
Clare Haynes said: "Knowing the judges were looking for expertise, dedication, proficiency, driving cultures of continuous improvement and having a lasting impact on businesses and individuals, it feels like huge recognition! I hope it opens doors for me to help more people, especially women, who need more confidence in speaking up.''
Preeti Lekhi said: "I am incredibly honoured to receive this recognition and award. Working within the industry has been a journey full of not only challenges but learning and growth.
"Winning this award has been a reminder of all the progress I have made and the work still ahead as I enter the next chapter in my career and the most important one yet. I share this award with all the women who have had to push a little harder, speak a little louder and believe a little deeper."
Sophie Howe said: "This award is a real reflection of the brilliant people who make it all work - the Comtec team and the talented linguists we're lucky to partner with."
Cynthia Tamraz said: "I'm incredibly honoured to receive the Independent Food Business award, especially from such an inspiring organisation as Ladies First. This recognition means so much - not just to me, but to the entire team who pours their heart into what we do every day. We're proud to be part of a community that celebrates passion, resilience, and the power of women in business."
Chris Pickering said: "I am honoured to be recognised alongside such an inspiring group of people. For me, any recognition is a reflection of the amazing team I have the pleasure of leading. I couldn't have done it without their unwavering support, shared drive, and genuine care."
Among those presented with Special Recognition Awards on the night were: Bianca Rodrigues-Perry, of Bia's Kitchen Show, Leamington and Iliada Rossi of Rossi Studio Ltd, Warwick.
Bianca said: "This special award marks the latest cause for celebration on the Bia's Kitchen Show journey. I am incredibly grateful to be recognised for not only the success of my brand but also for my continued involvement in Ladies First whose ethos mirrors that of my own - to champion and celebrate inspirational individuals and businesses with an 'appetite' to succeed."
Iliada said: "I'm truly honoured to receive this award. It's a wonderful recognition of the hard work and passion that has gone into building my interior architecture and design firm."
The Awards, which were unveiled at The House of Commons in February, are headed up by Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common and sponsored by Edwards Wealth, in Berkswell; Alsters Kelley Solicitors; Pertemps Network; IXL Centre; Mallory Court Country House; Bia's Kitchen Show and Sandhu Foods.
Tracey said: "Our Ladies First Awards celebrated the achievements of both women and men in our community, honouring those who have gone over and above in their business and in their personal lives. A massive congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. It was your night to shine!
"It was most definitely an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, raising vital funds for our local breast cancer wards and enjoying first class entertainment throughout.
"I would like to express a huge thank you to our sponsors, partners, members and awards team, in particular Atul Lakhani and his staff at the IXL Dallas Burston Polo Club and incredible Sanjay Food."
The evening included an auction and raffle, which raised around £5,000 towards Sue Cressman's ongoing fundraising for new breast cancer equipment for Birmingham hospitals.
Other winners were:
Trailblazer of the Year (Sponsored by Chalmers News PR) Lindsey Gillespie, Pawsome Pets Grooming, Coventry
Excellence In Health & Wellbeing (Sponsored by Air Aesthetics) Donna-Maria Grant, Tummy2Mummy Midwifery & Scanning Services, Hinckley
Excellence In Health & Wellbeing - Beauty (Sponsored by Ladies First) Doreth Abrahams, Laydidee's Natural Skincare, Wolverhampton
Woman of Courage (Sponsored by Nailcote Hall) Jade Horton, Merkaba Holistics, Cambridgeshire
Charity of the Year (Sponsored by Mallory Court) Debbie Roscoe, Arrive Alive Charity, Birmingham
Influencer of the Year (Sponsored by Audley Binswood) Maxine Faulder, About Face, Solihull
Rising Star & Future Leader (Sponsored by Alsters Kelley Solicitors) Gabriela Goldberg, George Green LLP, Birmingham
Inspirational Woman Award (Sponsored by Ladies First) Suzanne Virdee, Redditch
Inspirational Man of the Year (Sponsored by Pertemps Network) Chris Boehm, Leap IT, Hockley Heath
Other Special Recognition Awards went to: Rebecca Boulton, Finham Park 2 School in Coventry; Paola Spiga, Glam & Glow Beauty Lab in Hockley Heath; Daniel Skerma, of PA Forum, Birmingham; Gemma Mills, of Born2Sing, Birmingham; Emily Burton, of The Valley, Evesham and Ronaldo Hare, of Men's Prosperity Club C.I.C, Birmingham.
A full list of the winners can be found here.
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