Ladies First awards celebrate success
"Our Ladies First Awards celebrated the achievements of both women and men in our community, honouring those who have gone over and above in their business and in their personal lives."
Inspirational achievers from Coventry and Warwickshire were among those celebrated at the seventh Ladies First Professional Development Network Business Awards.
Three hundred people assembled at Dallas Burston Polo Club, Southam, for the ceremony hosted by Kirsty Leahy and Karen Jones ‘Sugarfoot Mills’ and Ruth Kelly.
Headline winners included the Business Woman of the Year, Abigail Edmunds from Stratford, and Elinor Perry, of Pentlands Accountants, in Leamington who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. Lianne Kirkman was awarded the Community Champion prize after founding The Esther Project a women-only initiative to provide gender-specific support - as well as launching The Esther House, a seven-bed supported living accommodation in Leamington, providing a safe space for women to recover.
Lianne said: “I am so proud and was completely overwhelmed. This award may have my name on it, but I received it on behalf of our whole team at The Esther Project. You can’t achieve what we have in this last year without a strong team of people standing beside me. As a volunteer myself, and with some other amazing ladies also giving their time for free, we have really achieved so much to establish The Esther Project as an independent community project this last year.”
Elinor Perry said: “This was a real ‘pinch me’ moment and completely unexpected. 2025 is a particularly special year, marking 20 years of owning and leading Pentlands and 25 years of working in the business. To be recognised at this milestone is just wonderful. It’s a real honour, and I was so pleased that friends, clients, and members of the Pentlands team were there to share in such a special moment.”
Abigail Edmunds said: “Since taking over Domino Style eight years ago I have worked so hard to make sure the business a success in what is a very competitive and tough market. So to win this award and to be recognised in this way is incredible, especially in a competition full of so many incredible and inspiring women! However, I wouldn’t be here without the huge support I receive on a daily basis from my incredible Domino team, my family and friends for their unwavering support and to my amazing customers.”
Other local winners were: Tracy Benbow and Wendy Coris, of Fabulous Suppers (Family Business of the Year); Beverly Clarke, of Spear Travels in Stratford (Excellence In Professional Services); Harpreet Stevenson, of Collective Companion (Excellence In Marketing); Amanda Chalmers, Chalmers News PR in Warwick (Excellence In Media); Alana Patchett, of Purple Monster, in Warwick (Excellence In Technology & Innovation); Clare Haynes, of Wildfire in Leamington (Business Consultant/Coach of the Year); Preeti Lekhi, of Seymours Solicitors in Leamington (Women In Property); Sophie Howe, of Comtec Translations in Leamington (Inclusive Leadership); Cynthia Tamraz, of Café Desa in Leamington (Excellence In Independent Food); Natalka Hunka of Aspire HR & Training Consultants in Knowle (Start-Up of the Year) and Chris Pickering, of L Pickering & Sons in Warwick (Businessman of the Year); Rebecca Boulton, Leader in Creative Arts at Finham Park 2 School in Coventry; (Special Recognition) and Lindsey Gillespie who scooped Trailblazer of the Year for Pawesome Pets Grooming School.
The Awards, which were unveiled at The House of Commons in February, are headed up by Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common and sponsored by Edwards Wealth, in Berkswell; Alsters Kelley Solicitors; Pertemps Network; IXL Centre; Mallory Court Country House; Bia’s Kitchen Show and Sandhu Foods.
Tracey said: “Our Ladies First Awards celebrated the achievements of both women and men in our community, honouring those who have gone over and above in their business and in their personal lives. A massive congratulations to all of our winners and finalists. It was your night to shine! It was most definitely an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence, raising vital funds for our local breast cancer wards and enjoying first class entertainment throughout.
“I would like to express a huge thank you to our sponsors, partners, members and awards team, in particular Atul Lakhani and his staff at the IXL Dallas Burston Polo Club and incredible Sanjay Food.”