The panel of Judges 2023

Professor Rachel Thomson

Pro Vice-Chancellor, (Education and Student, Experience), Loughborough University

“As the proud headline sponsor of this year’s East Midlands Women’s Awards, we are delighted to be part of an initiative that recognises and celebrates the many remarkable achievements of women across our region.

I was delighted, humbled and a little surprised to win two awards at the East Midlands Women’s Awards back in 2018, especially given the amazing contributions of many award recipients across the region. The awards dinner was a lovely evening and I was fortunate to be able to celebrate with family and friends.

I think, especially post pandemic, it has become even clearer to me how important it is to celebrate our successes and of those around us. At Loughborough University, we share a deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the East Midlands Women’s Awards serve as a powerful platform to uplift and honour the diverse voices and talents of women who are shaping our community.”

Headline Sponsor – East Midlands.

Glynis Wright MBE

She is also Chair of the Advisory Board for Business and Law at De Montfort University and is a Board Director for the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership. Glynis was President of the Leicestershire Law Society from July 2019 to September 2020 and served on its Executive Committee for 7 years.

Glynis Wright MBE is sole Director of GW Growth Consultancy Ltd specialising in business development for the professional sectors.

Glynis set up her law firm in 2010, retained 100% of the shareholding, and then sold her shares to Nelsons LLP on 2 December 2020. On the same day, Glynis was notified that she had been awarded an MBE for her Services to

Female Entrepreneurship in the Queens New Year’s Honours List.

Glynis is to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Leicester on 20 July 2023 after which she will be Dr Glynis Wright MBE.

Glynis is to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Leicester on 20 July 2023 after which she will be Dr Glynis Wright MBE.

Sonia Thompson

Sonia Thompson is an international Organisational Development Consultant. She began her company after a successful career in higher education. Sonia sits on the Board of several organisations and has been active in the community helping to establish a number of charities, social enterprises, and two women’s refuges.

She is the National Chair of WIMUK one of the supporting organisers of this year’s Women’s Awards.

Sonia is passionate about women and their personal and professional development. She believes woman’s power if only allowed to reach its potential could change the world.

Kelly McCormack

Kelly is an Event Manager for the University of Leicester, Film Producer for GM Finney Productions, Performer for Skytribe Studios, Director of Social Enterprise Iconic Music Dance Drama Ltd, and Trustee for Voluntary Action Leicester.

After realising the opportunities available in the East Midlands she moved here permanently in 2014 and hasn’t looked back.

Kelly won the EMWA Outstanding Women in Arts, Media & Music 2019 Award.

David Hayes

David Hayes has many years experience in export controls and sanctions, both from an industry and regulator’s perspective.

In addition to his own consultancy, David is the Director of UK Affairs for the Washington DC based trade consultancy The Trade Compliance Group (formerly MK Technology LLC).

Karen Cureton

Karen is the Founding, Director of Cureton Consulting.

Karen has over 20 years’ worth of experience in sales and marketing and when social media arrived on the scene she embraced it with open arms as a wonderful, cost-effective way to reach a new audience, build a brand, and turn potential customers into paying customers.

Karen has worked with scores of clients over the years as a social media trainer and manager in Leicestershire, throughout the East Midlands, nationally and now, internationally! She is a self-confessed social media nut (known affectionately as the social media ninja!), has developed an online course, and loves getting results for her clients.

Karen won The Women’s Awards East Midlands – Outstanding Women in Professional Services 2018

Sue Tilley

Sue Tilley is Head of Business, Innovation and Partnerships at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) where she leads her team to deliver the economic growth strategy and a range of investment programmes and initiatives to support economic growth.

Sue has been working in economic development for 15 years. Initially as Head of Inward Investment for Leicester and Leicestershire before moving to deliver Economic Development at the LLEP leading on a range of programmes including the £21m Regional Growth Fund Programme and the LLEP Business Gateway (Growth Hub).

A recent project was leading a team of strategic partners to work with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to explore the LLEP ecosystem and develop the LLEP Innovation Strategy.  This has led to the formation to the LLEP Innovation Board and a commitment to driving productivity and to furthering the importance of the low carbon initiatives and Net Zero.

Sue understands the challenges and demands of running a business first-hand, having grown her own fashion and corporate clothing design and manufacturing company from start-up to a turnover of £2.5m and forty employees. Sue took the strategic decision to sell the business and gained further experience both at Board level for a division of Cadogan Group and as Business Development Director for a division of Alexandra plc.

Sue’s breadth of experience means she understands the diverse and complex challenges businesses are facing in an ever-changing world and the need to embrace innovative new ways of working is vital.