Finalists announced for 11th Annual PRECIOUS Awards
“It is essential for our society that no matter what your gender or background is, you have a chance of succeeding in the UK. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the substantial contribution of Black and Asian entrepreneurs.’ Theresa May, The Prime Minister
The finalists of the 11th PRECIOUS Awards 2017 have been announced. Launched in 2007 The PRECIOUS Awards (www.preciousawards.com) place a spotlight on a group of women whose successes have been underrepresented by wider society so far, and were founded to recognise and support women of colour in the business and work environment and create role models for future generations to follow.
The awards provide a platform to celebrate the achievements of outstanding female talent across industries. This year’s finalists showcase the very best of the UK’s entrepreneurial and leadership talent and include:
23-year-old Anisah Osman Britton is the founder of 23 Code Street, a coding school for women with proceeds from paying students going to teach girls from disadvantaged backgrounds in India how to code, in safe environments.
Shortlisted for Outstanding Woman in STEM Felicity Fashade is Head of Engineering Performance, Maritime Naval Ships BAE Systems. One of the few senior women of colour in the defence industry Felicity delivers talks and lectures in many external local and national events to promote engineering as a career for young people.
Sophia Nadur, Shortlisted in the PRECIOUS Business of the Year category sponsored by Santander, is the co-founder of Tg Green Teas, a hot & chilled range of refreshingly delicious premium tea infusions. Sophia and long-time friend/co-founder Dr Hua He are on a mission to change what we drink for the better. Both women have been inspired by their respective Trinidad and Chinese heritage to create a #holistic green tea “movement”
Foluke Akinlose MBE, founder of the PRECIOUS Awards says:
“It’s an honour and privilege to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contribution that women of colour make to the British economy. PRECIOUS roots itself in celebrating the achievements of real women, those who may otherwise go unacknowledged. I think everyone benefits from knowing of these role models. “
Louise Robinson, Head of Breakthrough, Santander UK adds:
“We’re thrilled to be supporting the PRECIOUS Awards through our sponsorship of the ‘SME of the Year’ category. Santander Breakthrough has championed the cause of Women Business Leaders since the inception of the programme in 2011. Our programme supports female entrepreneurs through business education programmes, mentor schemes and bespoke events. That’s why the PRECIOUS Awards are the perfect fit for us.”
The full list of finalists is below:
The Outstanding Woman in STEM
Felicity Fashade | Head of Engineering Performance | BAE Systems
Shalom Lloyd | Chief of Staff/ a.i Global Head Scientific Sourcing Business Intelligence | Roche Products Ltd | www.roche.com
Yasmin Ali | Control Room Manager| E.on
The Leadership Award
Dee Sekar | Head of Diversity and Inclusion | My Kinda Future | www.mykindafuture.com/
Olutayo Arikawe | Superintendent Pharmacist | YPG Project LTD | www.ypg-prioryroad.com
Sharleene Bibbings | Senior Policy Advisor | UK Export Finance
The Creative Business of the Year
Nizz Cosmetics | | Founder Charlene Laville | www.nizzcosmetics.co.uk
Clover Lewis | Founder, CEO, Clover Lewis Swimwear | www.cloverlewis.com
Navina Bartlett | Founder of CoconutChilli | coconutchilli.com |
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Ailicya Sinclair | Founder Sinclair London | www.sinclairlondon.com
Anisah Osman Britton | Founder 23 Code Street | 23codestreet.com
Lois and Michela Wilson | Founders Saint Aymes | www.saintaymes.com
The Social Enterprise of the Year Award
You Make It | www.you-make-it.org | Asma Shah
1st Class Legacy | www.fclegacy.co.uk | Sabrina Dennis
Good Cake Day | https://goodcakeday.com | Chinelo Awa
The SME Business of the Year sponsored by Santander
DiVA| www.divaapprenticeships.com | Founder Arit Eminue
Tg Green Tea | www.drinktg.com | Founder Sophia Nadur
Fortune Law | www.fortunelaw.com | Founder Shainul Kassam
Start-Up Business of the Year sponsored by BIPC
Huetribe | huetribe.com | Founder Tineka Smith
Dr Tilean | https://drtilean.com/ Founder Dr Tilean Clarke
23 Code Street | 23codestreet.com | Founder Anisah Osman Britton
The Outstanding Woman in the Public Sector
Monique Carayol | Director of Transformation | Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Nicole Mason | House of Lords and House of Commons | ParliReach Programme
Marion Poku-Riley | Senior Lecturer in Law | City Law School at City University
The Outstanding Woman in Professional Services sponsored by BAME Recruitment
Shola Mos-Shogbamimu | dual qualified New York attorney & solicitor of England and Wales
Sally Penni | Barrister at Law | Kenworthy’s Chambers
Paulette Mastin | Counsel | Linklaters LLP
The Outstanding Woman in Banking and Finance
Morenike Ajayi| Assistant Director of Finance and Procurement | Origin Housing
Ama Ocansey | Senior Legal Counsel | BNP Paribas
Zainab Atta | VP, Lead Financial Crime Assurance Manager | RBS
