-Swansea Bay Woman of the Year - Winner Announced

The winner of the 2007 Swansea Bay Woman of the Year Awards sponsored by Law firm, John Collins & Partners LLP, was announced at a glitzy  ceremony on 30th November presented by ITV Presenter, Mai Davies.

Professor Andrea Liggins from Swansea Institute was awarded the title of Swansea Bay Woman of the Year 2007.

Professor Liggins is a truly inspirational role model for women across the region.  She firstly won the Management category before going on to scoop the overall title.

Andrea is the Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design with 800 students and 90 full or part time staff. Andrea was instrumental in the development and the relocation of the Faculty to the new Dynevor site. The move of the Faculty of Art and Design to a new location was a catalyst for a number of initiatives and projects.

Despite working in a male dominated profession, Andrea has managed to achieve a great deal in her profession and in Academia. She is passionate about photography and has utilised her passion and ambition not only to pursue her own career but also to deliver superb facilities at the Institute in the new Dynevor Campus and to continue to promote arts in industry and to help ensure employability of her students. 

Roy Phelps, Chair of Bay in Business commented “Each year we are impressed by the calibre of entries and this year is no exception.  The work of these women is an inspiration.”

The 2007 category winners were:
• Business Award: Lara Johnson, Lara Johnson Lifestyle.
• Community Award: Deris Williams, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth.
• Management Award: Professor Andrea Liggins, Swansea Institute.
• Technology Award: Katherine Prescott, Netsima.
• Young Entrepreneur Award: Donna Carless, Dynamic Rock.

Winners Profiles

Business Award sponsored by The Business Centre, Swansea: awarded to women who have successfully established and developed their own business.

Winner: Lara Johnson.  Lara was motivated to hairdressing from an early age, moving to London to get the best experience working for top hairdressers. Always intending to return to her roots, in 1995 she recognised the need for a leading hair salon in Swansea and opened Lara Johnson Lifestyle.

Since then Lara has achieved a great deal personally and through her business, developing a team of 40 talented staff working from 3 salons. They have won a number of national awards and attended shows in all the fashion capitals, putting Welsh hairdressing on the map of a very competitive industry. 

The Mumbles business is being re-developed to offer even higher quality service and there are also plans to develop an International Training Academy, bringing top class training to Wales.

Runners up in this category were Mari Thomas, Mari Thomas Jewellery and Sian Hindle, La Crème Patisserie.

Community Award sponsored by Carmarthenshire County Council: recognised women who make a significant contribution to their community, with a particular emphasis on volunteering.  

Winner: Deris Williams.  Deris started work with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth back in 1991 as an assistant.  Just six years later she was appointed as Director.

During the last 10 years, under her direction, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth has set up an additional four community enterprises, including; a community café, a welsh book and resource centre, after school club and a twilight service for the elderly at two Accident and Emergency Units in Carmarthenshire.

In addition to her role with Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, Deris is actively engaged with a wide range of community groups as a volunteer. 
 
Runners up in this category were Eiriol Lewis & Marianne Thomas and Hildergarde Roberts.

Management Award sponsored by Pauline Kotschy Recruitment: this award was aimed at rewarding women who have demonstrated strong management and leadership skills in their role, in the public or private sector.

Winner: Professor Andrea Liggins, Swansea Institute.

Runners up in this category were Sue Richards, Age Concern Swansea and Karen Jones, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

Technology Award sponsored by ITWales: this award recognized the achievements of  women in business, education or the voluntary sector that make a significant impact within their organisation through the development, implementation, management or advancement of Technology.

Winner: Katherine Prescott, Netsima.  Katherine’s business involves translating client technological needs into reality.  Netsima specialises in creating web enabled business applications for medium sized companies in both the public and private sector. Katherine is a business development and advisor and will take a briefing for a software system, but by finding out more about the customers business and how they will use a new system, Netsima will provide a bespoke solution which will do the job that is required.

Katherine’s skills lie in her ability to fully understand the nature of the work of clients – she can then ensure that they have the systems that they actually need.

She is a great advocate for the use of technology and how it can have a real purpose and people’s lives.

Runners up in this category were Eileen Lloyd, Timet UK and Susan Rodaway, Temporary Teachers.

Young Entrepreneur Award sponsored by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council: this award recognised young women who have shown initiative and desire to successfully set up their own business

Winner: Donna Carless, Dynamic Rock.  Donna and her partner Adam decided to turn their passion of rock climbing into a business.  During a 3 month career break Donna researched the idea of establishing an indoor rock climbing centre, which became Dynamic Rock Limited.    Supported by a variety of financial backers they secured a building in Clydach, Swansea and spent 8 months completing extensive conversion works to realise their dream.

The business is now used by climbing enthusiasts throughout the UK following positive reports in dedicated climbing web-sites and magazines.
Donna completed a Coaching Course and this year Donna helped coach the Welsh youth Squad.  The Centre has developed and gained a valuable Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) license, and diversified into providing outdoor course and instruction in abseiling, gorge walking and kayaking. 

Donna feels that climbing is still a male dominated sport, however she feels she is at the forefront of a cultural change in the sport – and she is determined to compete more and at a higher level to support the cause of women climbers!

Paul Newman of event sponsors John Collins & Partners LLP said “ Swansea Bay Woman of the Year is all about promoting and supporting business development and entrepreneurship, which echoes John Collins and Partners’ own activities in Wales. This is the fourth year we have chosen to support the awards, which shows the firms’ commitment to local cultural and community development.  It has been a thoroughly enjoyable evening and I found it very rewarding and inspiring to meet the finalists and winners”.  

Over 390 people from across Swansea Bay gathered at The Brangwyn Hall, Swansea to celebrate the achievements of Women and recognise the contribution they make to their communities through business, management, technology and community work.  The evening also included an after dinner performance by award winning comedian, Jenny Éclair.

For further information on the Swansea Bay Woman of the Year Awards contact Sarah Toomey, Bay in Business Event Coordinator on 01792 545066.