Forward Ladies, one of country’s leading organisations for the promotion of women in business, has revealed the winners of its FL National Awards Summit in the North West.
Nicola Martin-Bottley, regional Head of Capital Allowances – North, at business adviser Grant Thornton picked up the Corporate Leader Award.
Alongside her role at the advisory firm, judges praised her work as a director, trustee and governor at The Seashell Trust (ST).
Nicola is mum to three boys with disabilities and SEN – one of whom has a part residential placement at ST. She is a single mum and is raising all three while building dual careers in surveying and tax.
In addition to her formal duties at the Trust, Nicola supports and counsels countless women in similar positions to herself. She is a confidant and expert advisor to women who have children with SEND and supports on everything from maintaining a career, friends and family relationships; to struggles with mental health, finances and navigating the complex path of SEND.
Since joining Grant Thornton in 2017, Nicola has built the Capital Allowances Team from scratch. Based in Manchester she covers the North, with hubs in Liverpool and Leeds. Her 33 years’ experience in the construction industry and 24 years’ in Capital Allowances have enabled her to lead the team to a dominant position in the mid-market.
The awards took place at a celebration lunch at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Manchester before an inspirational audience of senior and influential business leaders.
Forward Ladies has run its awards programme for over 10 years, and the prestigious event has become one of the most high profile and respected of its kind.
Commenting on the award, Nicola said: “The strength of the shortlist across every category is testament to the number of inspiring female leaders we have across the region. All of the nominees should be rightly praised for their contributions to their organisations and the wider community.
“The flexibility and support provided by Grant Thornton has enabled me to develop my career and grow our service offering, while finding time to honour my commitments at the Trust and spend time with my children. I’m incredibly grateful for that, and naturally both honoured and delighted to receive this award.”
Griselda Togobo, Forward Ladies Managing Director, added: “I’m so proud that for another year, Forward Ladies is leading the way in honouring and celebrating the country’s most respected women in business; to showcase their innovation, their achievements and their true potential.
“I’m always impressed by the exceptionally talented businesswomen who enter, and the high-calibre entries this year have surpassed all expectations. A very well done to all those who have joined us and provided such inspiration for other entrepreneurs through their ongoing successes.”
The ten category winners will now take part in a judging day in Sheffield in early November, before a distinguished panel of business leaders, where they will join finalists from regional events in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East, and London and the South. The overall national winner will be announced at the National Grand Final to be held in Leeds on the 29th November.
The full list of winners are below:
- Corporate Leader Award: Nicola Martin-Bottley, Head of Capital Allowances – North, Grant Thornton
- Emerging Leader & STEM Rising Star Award: Emma Ainsworth, Business Manager to Retail CEO/Lean Operations Manager, Co-op
- STEM Leader, sponsored by BASF Plc: Julianne Antrobus, Technology Director, SNC Lavalin Atkins
- Start up: Jo Britton, Founder and Director, PACE Development Ltd
- Young Entrepreneur: Kelly Bolton, CEO, Aggressive Growth Marketing
- Female Entrepreneur: Helen Tonks, Co-Founder, Hydraulics Online Ltd
- Charity & Social Enterprise award: Vicki Roskams, Engagement Manager / Director, Enbarr Enterprises Limited & Enbarr Foundation CIC
- Mentor of the Year Category: Carol Ann Whitehead FRSA, Managing Director, The Zebra Partnership
- Public Sector/Academia/Not for Profit award: Jane Crombleholme, Managing Director for Executive Education, Alliance Manchester Business School
