Tees Life Tees Life Issue 9 | Page 49

EVENTS ROLE MODELS Inspiring business and charity leader confirmed as speaker for 2019 Tees Businesswomen Awards I nspirational business and charity leader Yasmin Khan has been confirmed as the guest speaker for an awards ceremony which recognises the region’s leading women. Tees Life publishers Resolution Media and Publishing launched the inaugural Tees Businesswomen Awards, in association with Northern Skills Group, in 2018. The first event, held in Wynyard Hall’s Conservatory Room last November, was intended to create more female business leaders and role models for the young people of the Tees region. It was a huge success, attended by 280 people, but organisers Tees Business are hoping to make this year’s event even bigger and better – and have already increased capacity by moving this year’s event, on October 24, to Wynyard’s stunning Grand Marquee. Yasmin Khan picked up two awards last year – she personally won the Inspiring Others category, while the organisation she founded won the charity/voluntary award. Yasmin is chief officer of Middlesbrough's black, Asian and minority ethnic women- run charity, the Halo Project. She set up the pioneering community partnership in 2011 to help victims of illegal abuse including forced marriage and female genital mutilation and it became a registered charity three years later. Halo’s team of eight has helped more than 1,000 females flee violence with the help of partnerships established, while Yasmin was also appointed as a part-time national adviser to Wales for violence against women last year. Co-organiser Dave Allan said: “We’re honoured and thrilled Yasmin has agreed to be our guest speaker for the awards this year – most importantly because of the inspirational story she has to tell, but also as a double award-winner from our first year. “The first event was a big success in terms Inspirational business leader Yasmin Khan, pictured receiving her Inspiring Others award from SABIC’s Nicola Duffy, has been confirmed as the guest speaker at the 2019 Tees Businesswomen of the Year awards. BBC Radio presenter and after-dinner host Charlie Charlton will compere the Tees Businesswomen Awards at Wynyard Hall on October 24. of creating new role models for aspiring young women in the Tees Valley, with lots of positive things happening off the back of the awards, which has been fantastic to see. “So we’re hoping we can unearth more hidden gems this year and celebrate more of the many high achieving and inspirational women across our region.” BBC Radio presenter Charlie Charlton will host the 2019 Tees Businesswomen Awards, which has again been sponsored by Northern Skills Group, the training and apprenticeship arm of Middlesbrough College. “We were really honoured to be involved in the very first Tees Businesswomen Awards in 2018 and it’s fantastic to be involved again this year,” said Middlesbrough College principal Zoe Lewis. “It's really important that we raise awareness of the talent we have here. We lose a lot of talent out of our region, male and female, but if we can raise the profile of female occupations, senior roles and business opportunities for young girls, then they might be more likely to keep their talent here on Teesside. “I’d urge everyone to get their nominations in.” Find out more at teesbusiness.co.uk/awards EN TRIES NOW O PEN ! Entries are already open for the 2019 Tees Businesswomen Awards, to be held in the Grand Marquee at Wynyard Hall on Thursday October 24. The individual categories are: Businesswoman of the Year (sponsored by Teesside University), Breaking the Mould (sponsored by Developments by Joseph Homes), Inspiring Others (sponsored by SABIC), Best Newcomer (sponsored by RMS Recruitment) and Lifelong Inspiration. The business categories are: Business of the Year (sponsored by Cornerstone Business Solutions), SME of the Year (sponsored by Punch Robson Solicitors), Training & Apprenticeships (sponsored by px Group), Charity/Voluntary (sponsored by Billions Europe) and Best New Business (sponsored by Tees Valley Combined Authority). Find out how to enter or to buy tickets/tables at teesbusiness.co.uk/awards tees-life.co.uk 49