Awards showcase female talent in travel
Four new categories were added to the 2018 IBM iX everywoman in Travel Awards which took place earlier this week.
Now in their second year, the awards included a new Male Agent of Change Award and an International Inspiration Award for a role model based outside the UK.
Karen Gill MBE, co-founder of everywoman, said the awards were designed to showcase female talent in the travel industry.
"Our recent white paper showed that access to female role models is a major source of inspiration for 74% of women, who state that role models inspire them to develop their careers," she said.
"This is why visible female talent is essential in all industries – you can’t be what you can’t see. By showcasing the success stories of this year’s winners, we, along with IBM iX, are determined to encourage the individuals that’ll make a valuable contribution to the future of the UK’s thriving travel sector."
The overall Woman of the Year was easyJet captain Kate McWilliams, who at the age of 26 became the world’s youngest female captain.
Other winners were:
One to Watch, awarded to a young game-changer under the age of 21 in education or apprenticeship who demonstrates a passion for the travel industry: Hannah Fairley, apprentice travel sales consultant, Thomas Cook UK, from Edinburgh
Tomorrow’s Leader, to a woman under 30 making a significant contribution to the sector: Alice Hye, services contracts manager, AC Group, from West Wickham
Entrepreneur, for an owner/operator of a travel business that has been operating for three years or more whose vision will inspire other women to start their own enterprise: Caroline Strachan, managing partner, FESTIVE ROAD, from Tunbridge Wells
Above & Beyond, awarded to a woman at any stage of her career that has truly gone above and beyond her role to help drive the organisation’s success: Swati Agarwal, FP&A Manager, Celebrity Cruises, from Weybridge
Team Leader, for a woman whose team leadership has greatly contributed to the organisation’s success: Roisin O’Sullivan, chief operating officer, Walks, from Dublin
Leader of Change, for a woman who is making a significant contribution towards the strategic direction of the business through best practices, employee engagement, improved productivity and innovation: Clare Tobin, CEO, Olympic Holidays, from London
International Inspiration, sponsored by Gold Medal & Travel 2m to a woman working outside the UK & Ireland who is a role model for women in her community: Meenu Vadera, founder Azad Foundation and Sakha Consulting Wings, from New Delhi.
Male Agent of Change, which recognises the men who are committed to creating a gender-balanced workforce: Stuart Leven, vice president EMEA, & managing director RCL Cruises, from Weybridge
Executive Leader, awarded to a woman making a significant direct financial contribution to the commercial success of the business: Julia Kemp, director of international sales & partnerships, Avis Budget Group, from Bracknell.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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