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WIBF AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT CELEBRATIONS | GENEROSITY FOR 2017 WIBF CHARITY

news published date 4 July 2017
  • News

As I reflect on last month`s 20th Annual WIBF Awards for Achievement, I feel once more the great pride of WIBF in gathering together nearly 400 members of our industry at the London Hilton on Park Lane to celebrate the achievements of the afternoon`s amazing winners

“As I reflect on last month’s 20th Annual WIBF Awards for Achievement, I feel once more the great pride of WIBF in gathering together nearly 400 members of our industry at the London Hilton on Park Lane to celebrate the achievements of the afternoon’s amazing winners – Francesca Lynch, RBC, 2017 Young Professional Winner; Tracy Jordan, Credit Suisse, 2017 Champion for Women; Sky’s Finance Diversity Team, 2017 Team Diversity Winner; and Arlene Isaacs-Lowe, Moody’s, 2017 Award for Achievement Winner.

I was delighted that we were joined by so many past WIBF Award for Achievement winners, past Presidents and former Executive Board members. There could be no more fitting marker of the 20th anniversary of the Awards than to be joined by those past winners, and to recognise all that has been achieved by WIBF Award winners over the past twenty years.

Our desire to continue the celebration of WIBF Award winners beyond that spectacular day at the Hilton ballroom was why we decided to mark the 20th anniversary with the launch of the WIBF Awards Alumni Network. I know that this network of the most inspired and inspiring talent in our industry working together, cross-sector, in the pursuit of diversity, will be the best kind of anniversary tribute.

If you weren’t able to join up us at the Awards Luncheon, or if you would just like to relive the fun we had, please take a look at the photos and film of the Luncheon on our website Award photos

BAKHITA HOUSE FUNDRAISING

Another reason to celebrate is that guests at the Luncheon raised almost £8,500 for our 2017 charity, Bakhita House. I know guests at the Luncheon will have been struck by the hard-hitting words from Bakhita House about the horrific experiences of female and male victims of trafficking, as well as by the compassionate work undertaken by Bakhita House. Thank you for giving so generously. Bakhita House says:

“The Caritas Bakhita House team want to send a big thank you to all the guests who attended the WIBF Awards Luncheon, and for your generous donations and support shown. During the Luncheon Bakhita House received £8400 worth of donations and pledges – this would cover the cost of providing Bakhita House guests with breakfast, lunch and dinner for a whole year (roughly 25 meals a day!). If you were inspired by the work of Bakhita House, and would like to become involved raising awareness or fundraising on behalf of this charity, please contact the Bakhita House team directly at [email protected] or 020 7798 9353. You can also donate online www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/bakhita-house.php Thank you from all of us at Bakhita House.”

WIBF AWARDS ALUMNI NETWORK LAUNCH

The inaugural event will be on the 20th September at the NED Club – details to follow. A network of WIBF Award winners will be an incredible way of ensuring that the celebration at the Awards Luncheon continues throughout the year, year on year. I know that the men and women who have taken home WIBF Awards are committed to improving the opportunities for women’s development and achievement in the sector. Cheerleader, advocate, supporter, facilitator – I see the Awards Alumni Network being all of these things for all the women we work with.

WOMEN AT THE TOP

WIBF is delighted to announce that we will once again be partnering with the FT Women at the Top summit on Wednesday 27 September at the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel.

Women at the Top will tackle one of the most complex challenges we face today: how to fix the gender imbalance in the top ranks of business in Britain and beyond. Speakers include Laszlo Bock, CEO, Humu; former SVP of People Operations, Google; Iris Bohnet, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School; and Laura Haynes, Chair, UN Women National Committee UK.

Join the Women at the Top summit to look at how leadership could be transformed over the next decade as the impact of policy changes becomes clear. There is a 10% discount for WIBF members to attend, a saving of £100 on a single ticket to this leading summit which can be activated by using the code WIBF10 when registering. Further discounts are available for two or more bookings. For the latest updates on the agenda, and information on registration please visit the website here.

The summer holidays are nearly here. I wish you all a wonderful summer and hope that you have time for a break.

Vivienne Artz

WIBF President