Home » In the News » Bristol Environment Guru is shortlisted for First Women Awards

Bristol Environment Guru is shortlisted for First Women Awards

All Saints Street-based Hyder Consulting is celebrating after Stephanie Wray - managing director of its environment business - has been shortlisted for the prestigious First Women Awards.

Now in their sixth year, the Lloyds Banking Group-sponsored awards which are supported by the CBI, recognise women at the top of their professions, leading the way for the next generation.

Wray sits on the board of Hyder’s professional board as global leader for environment and advises on sustainability and corporate responsibility issues.

Other contenders for the First Women Awards include the only female cutter on Saville Row - Gieves & Hawkes’ Kathryn Sargent, BSkyB’s head of drama Elaine Pyke, White Stuff CEO Sally Bailey and investigative journalist Heather Brooke - the so-called “warrior queen of MPs’ expenses” by the newspaper that scooped the story she had pursued for four years.

They are joined by best-selling children’s food author Annabel Karmel, Orange UK’s VP of service Jackie O’Leary, ASDA’s chief financial officer Judith McKenna, Transport for London managing director Michele Dix and Olympic Delivery Authority’s head of equality and inclusion Loraine Martins.

The First Women Awards, whose patron is Sarah Brown, will be announced during a ceremony at the London Marriott, Grosvenor Square on 23 June.

Diana Brightmore-Armour, CEO of Corporate Banking at Lloyds Banking Group said:

“The 2010 shortlist for the First Women Awards is extraordinary and clearly shows that we have tremendous senior female talent operating across diverse sectors in business and public services. Over the years, these awards have discovered incredible success stories from women who have demonstrated outstanding determination and resilience.

“This is inspirational for all young women who are stepping out into their chosen fields - if you have the passion and belief, and you are willing to put in the hard work, you will succeed.

“Recognising these women is vital to creating the future UK business and community leaders of tomorrow.”

Over the past five years, First Women Awards have been presented to fashion designer Nicole Farhi CBE, economist and journalist Baroness Sarah Hogg and philanthropeneur Ann Gloag OBE.

They have also celebrated unsung heroines of British public life and business, including Julie Spence - chief constable of Cambridge Constabulary, Rosalind Murray - the most senior woman in the UK submarine industry and Perween Warsi - director of S&A Foods, now a major Indian food supplier to some of the UK’s largest grocery retailers.

---