Ellie Kerr, the founding director of Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY), received the inaugural overall award in 2003, marking the beginning of the now-prestigious event. Her recognition stemmed from her efforts to sustain the Women in Business (WIB) network after government funding was withdrawn. This award not only acknowledged Ellie’s dedication but also influenced Business Link’s perspective on women’s entrepreneurship, leading to her appointment as Women’s Enterprise Champion and later as Northwest Diversity & Inclusion Team Leader.
Ellie has since earned four additional awards for her contributions to business and her unwavering passion for women’s entrepreneurship, which she continues to foster through the MWOTY awards. Ellie reflected on the awards, stating, “Our ceremony is unique, and we take pride in the heart and emotion behind it, as that is the source of our strength.”
Under Ellie’s leadership since 2010, MWOTY has recognized numerous inspirational business leaders. Notable among them is Kate Kingston, who, after winning the MWOTY Newcomer award in 2004, secured the Entrepreneur category in 2012 for her interior design business, Kingston Shaw. Kate’s success in the business world has since expanded to include a second venture, Quantum Energy Coaching, which focuses on mental health and personal empowerment.
Another standout MWOTY alumna is Sara Lawton, Merseyside Woman of the Year 2014, who founded Rise Construction Framework. This organization, which reinvests its profits into community services, was recently honored with a King’s Award for Enterprise. Sara, reflecting on her journey in the male-dominated construction sector, emphasized the impact of Rise, stating, “We run a commercially successful business whose profits make a positive impact.”
The MWOTY awards have sparked what supporters refer to as the “MWOTY Movement,” a network of women and male allies dedicated to empowering future generations of female leaders. Ellie Kerr concluded, “Our MWOTY Movement is gathering pace because we know we’re unstoppable together.”
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