WeAreTheCity announces this year's Rising Star Awards shortlist

Over a seven week period, WeAreTheCity received over 1,250 nominations from across the UK and Northern Ireland. The calibre of entries for this year’s awards was exceptional.

On behalf of The Times & The Sunday Times and our supporting sponsors, it gives us great pleasure to announce the 2019 Rising Star award’s shortlist and to congratulate all of the shortlisted individuals.

The 200-strong shortlist showcases remarkable women within the UK from across 20 categories representing different industries/professions. An example of the amazing women shortlisted this year are; Claudia Craig, Campaign Manager, Centenary Action Group; Kelly Caswell-Treen, Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, British Army and Rain Irshad, Autonomous Systems Lead, STFC RAL Space.

The Rising Star awards also include a Company of the Year award, which recognises the achievements of a company who can demonstrate that they are actively supporting and developing their female talent pipeline through initiatives, training, development programmes and/or internal employee relations groups. Shortlisted companies this year are Aviva Investors, HSBC, KPMG, Sky and UMBRA International.

The awards will continue to celebrate Rising Star Champions, recognising the efforts of senior leaders who are actively supporting the female pipeline, included in this year’s shortlist are Carmel Mckinney OBE, Non-Executive Chairperson, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Sarah Beardsley, Head of Space Engineering and Technology Division, Science and Technology Facilities Council, UKRI.

DISCOVER THE FULL SHORTLIST HERE

The shortlist will now be judged by an additional set of expert judges and the winners will be announced at our prestigious award’s ceremony on 03 July.

The award’s celebration will take place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, a stunning art deco property, based in heart of Mayfair. Find out more and secure your seat here.

We would like to thank our judges for giving up their time in support of this year’s awards: Lucy Chamberlain; Wincie Wong; Mark Hedley; Ania Rontaler; Jonathan Prinn; Melanie Seymour; Rene Carayol; Sian Fisher; Funke Abimbola MBE; Dr Yvonne Thompson; Margarete McGrath; Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu; Helen Pankhurst CBE; Adam Fidler; Anne-Marie Headley; Baroness Mary Goudie; Dr Maggie Semple OBE FCGI; Heather Melville OBE, CCMI; Jane Ayaduray; Caroline Williams; Tamara Box; Lorraine Candy; Laura Barrowman; Catherine Schlieben; Simone Roche MBE; Katie McEwan; Pips Bunce; Katie Kelleher; Phillip Palmer; Diahanne Rhiney; Brenda Trenowden CBE; Mairi McHaffie; Paul Sesay; Lieutenant Colonel Sulle Alhaji; Diana Kennedy; Rob Neil OBE; Paulette Mastin; Commander Sam Truelove MBE; Sue Clayton; Tamara Kaye; Justine Simons OBE; Charlotte Sweeney OBE; Dr Rannia Leontaridi OBE; Alex Pierre; Helene Reardon-Bond; Sherry Coutu CBE; Victoria Darragh; Carolanne Minashi; Kate Stephens; Susan Allen; Mark Looker; Lydia Knight; Bev Shah; and Rob Harley.

The public vote of support is now open for all shortlisted nominees. The public vote only determines one winner out of the five winners of each category, the other four winners are decided by our judges. Votes can be cast here. Please note there is no public vote for either the champions or the company categories.

Speaking about the awards, Vanessa Vallely, Founder of WeAreTheCity, said, “The calibre of entries this year has been truly exceptional.”

“I am so excited to meet our shortlisted individuals in July at our prestigious awards ceremony.”

“Every one of these women should be extremely proud of their achievements.”

“They are key contributors to their industries and outstanding role models.”

“I wish them the very best of luck in the final round of judging.”

Showing her support for the awards, The Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, Justine Simons said, “I am pleased to support WeAreTheCity’s Rising Star award, shining a spotlight on London’s leading women and demonstrating that London is Open to talent and business.”

“These awards will recognise companies that are setting a leading example for supporting and promoting talented women, shaping the next generation of leaders.”

Tickets to our winners celebrations on 3 July can be found here - https://risingstars.wearethecity.com/awards-ceremony-2019/

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