PRESS RELEASE
The Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards
The Entrepreneur of the year category winner announced
The cream of the retail industry gathered at The Savoy on Wednesday 14th September 2011 to recognise and celebrate the achievements of retail’s highest flyers. Senior figures from fashion, grocery, digital and the major multiples joined Dame Mary Perkins, and everywoman founders, Karen Gill MBE and Maxine Benson MBE for a glittering reception and dinner.
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder and Director of everywoman, commented “With 80% of household buying decisions made by women it is staggering that the top of the industry is still male dominated despite a strong pipeline of women in management roles. By bringing these winners to the forefront of their industry, we hope to send a message that retail must nurture and support its female talent.”
Dame Mary Perkins, Founder of Specsavers, added “There are some excellent opportunities for women in the retail industry. Although there are not as many women in senior positions as there should be, there are many good prospects. At Specsavers, many of our stores are owned by female opticians who recognise the importance of excellent customer service and high retail standards.”
Judith McKenna, Chief Operating Officer for Asda, said, “Successful retail businesses need to harness the talents of a diverse range of people if they want to meet the demands of their customers. We’re delighted to support the Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards as part of our overall diversity programme which included recognition & development of talented women across the sector.”
Entrepreneur of the Year Winner – Sponsored by Asda Stores Ltd
Ann-Maree Morrison
Director
Labels4Kids Limited
Originally training as a Chartered Accountant, Ann-Maree Morrison worked for a variety of companies including Disney and Kodak before changing direction and launching her own company in 2005. Like many great business ideas, this one was born from personal need when Ann-Maree, the mother of 3 young boys, grew tired of her boys coming home from school with other children’s clothes. Labels4Kids produces vinyl waterproof labels, iron on, stick on and sew on labels for children’s school clothing and general items. The judges were impressed with how Ann Maree has created a dedicated following of supporters from across the globe through an active social-media strategy and online forum for parents and families on her award winning website www.labels4kids.com
The Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards launched in 2008 in response to a growing urgency to redress the gender imbalance in an industry which employs over 2.8 million* people (11% of the total UK workforce). Although 60%* of employees in retail are women, there are less than 5%* of female CEOs and only 8%* of purchasing decisions are made by women. The awards were created to highlight the variety of opportunity within the retail industry and to showcase inspirational role models, drawing attention to those women who have succeeded through hard work and determination and those who have steered their organisations through challenging economic times.
*2010 Skillsmart Retail Analysis
About everywoman
Everywoman is an organisation that challenges and change the mind sets of women in business to increase the number and raise the status of women in the economic community. Founded in September 1999 by Karen Gill and Maxine Benson, it is the UK’s largest female business community with over 40,000 members and growing. Through its programme of events, projects such as Modern Muse, training and awards, everywoman offers members support, skills and recognition. Members are supported to clarify their goals; ensure they have the right mind sets to realise them; gain skills to generate long-term success and are recognised for their achievements. Its ambition is to become the world’s largest and most influential female business network, inspiring generations of businesswomen and championing their cause, talents and prospects on a global scale. Karen and Maxine were both awarded the MBE in January 2009 for services to women’s enterprise. For more information visit: www.everywoman.com
About Specsavers
Specsavers Opticians was founded in the spare bedroom of the Guernsey home of optometrists Doug and Dame Mary Perkins in 1984 and is now the largest privately owned opticians in the world. Specsavers has more than 1500 stores in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. All are owned and run by optician joint venture or franchise partners.
About Asda
Founded in the 1960s, ASDA today is one of Britain’s leading retailers. It has over 175,000 dedicated ASDA colleagues serving customers from over 400 stores, including 25 ASDA Living stores, 23 depots and eight recycling centres across the UK (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). It has its main home office in Leeds, Yorkshire and its George clothing division based in Lutterworth Leicestershire. ASDA serves over 18 million shoppers a week in store and its growing home shopping business serves over 97 per cent of UK homes.
The judging panel comprised:
Sue Brownson OBE Group Managing Director, Blue Bell BMW Group
Esther Crew HR Director – Group Logistics & Supply Chain Division, WM Morrison Supermarkets Plc
Jo Delbridge Director of Public Relations, Specsavers Optical Group
Gaynor Gillespie People & Corporate Development Director, Capital & Regional
Wendy Hallett Founder and Managing Director, Hallett Retail – The Concessions People
Judith McKenna Chief Operating Officer, Asda
Karen Richards Founder, Women in Retail
Carrie Rubin Director, Pentland Group plc
Anne Seaman CEO, Skillsmart Retail
Sue Shipley Partner & Head of Retail Practice, Odgers Berndtson
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