Ellie Kerr, the founding director of Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY), was honored with the inaugural overall award in 2003, ushering in the now-renowned event. Her recognition was a result of her commitment to maintaining the Women in Business (WIB) network after government funding ceased. This award not only highlighted Ellie’s dedication but also shifted Business Link’s view on women’s entrepreneurship, resulting in her being named Women’s Enterprise Champion and subsequently the Northwest Diversity & Inclusion Team Leader.
Since then, Ellie has garnered four more accolades for her contributions to the business sector and her steadfast commitment to women’s entrepreneurship, which she continues to promote through the MWOTY awards. Ellie shared her thoughts on the awards, saying, “Our ceremony is unique, and we take pride in the heart and emotion behind it, as that is the source of our strength.”
Since taking the helm in 2010, MWOTY has celebrated numerous inspirational business leaders. Among those is Kate Kingston, who won the MWOTY Newcomer award in 2004 and later achieved the Entrepreneur category in 2012 for her interior design firm, Kingston Shaw. Kate’s success has since grown to include a second venture, Quantum Energy Coaching, which emphasizes mental health and personal empowerment.
Another exceptional MWOTY alumna is Sara Lawton, crowned Merseyside Woman of the Year in 2014 and the founder of Rise Construction Framework. This organization reinvests its profits into community services and was recently recognized with a King’s Award for Enterprise. Reflecting on her experience in the male-dominated construction field, Sara highlighted the significance of Rise, stating, “We run a commercially successful business whose profits make a positive impact.”
The MWOTY awards have ignited what supporters call the “MWOTY Movement,” a coalition of women and male allies committed to empowering the next generation of female leaders. Ellie Kerr concluded, “Our MWOTY Movement is gathering pace because we know we’re unstoppable together.”
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