SOME of Coventry’s finest females were honoured for their remarkable achievements last Thursday at the fifth Ladies First professional development network business awards.
More than 300 people gathered at Coombe Abbey for the glittering awards ceremony, hosted by musician and BBC radio presenter Sandra Godley.
A total of seven Coventrians won awards on the night, including Zoe Whittaker of Warriors World who scooped the new business prize.
Michael Mogan MBE was crowned man of the year while inspiring young charity workers Hattie and Alice Mogan were named the rising stars at the ceremony.
Former Coventry United Ladies manager Jay Bradford, who guided the side to league safety last season despite being deducted 10 points, won the Woman in Sport Award.
Coventry singer Ruth Kelly claimed the woman in music prize while Catherine Cossey from the piano school won the Special Award.
And Coventry North East MP Colleen Fletcher was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Special guests at the event included Coventry’s Lord Mayor Coun Kevin Maton, May Parsons, the Coventry nurse who administered the world’s first-ever Covid injection, and former member of The Drifters, Roy Hemmings.
The winners were selected from hundreds of nominations across Britain and abroad at an independent judging day last month.
The awards also raised £2,300 for local charities Coventry Foodbank and Surviving Bereavement through an auction and raffle.
Ladies First director Tracey McAtamney said: “What a night of celebration and entertainment honouring inspirational women from across the country.
“Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who all truly deserve recognition for their incredible achievements.
“It was wonderful to see so many women supporting and celebrating each other’s successes.”
