Behold the women of the future
“I will not let the quest for equality die,” declared David Cameron at last night’s Women of the Future event, held at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. “Women are more likely to become MPs in Rwanda, Belarus, Berunda and the Seychelles than in the UK. Frankly, that’s a disgrace. That is not progressive. And I will not let this problem rest until I’ve fixed it.”
Rabble-rousing words from the Conservative leader, indeed.
“I’ve had to leave a fundraiser down the road to attend this,” he admitted. “I told the audience, ‘I’ve got to rush, I’m heading off to an event where I’ll be sitting in between Cherie Blair [patron of the Women of the Future awards] and Tessa Jowell!’”
And oh what a night. Founded by writer and entrepreneur Pinky Lilani OBE and Caspian Publishing, and supported by Shell, the Women of the Future awards identify Britain’s talented young women aged 35 and under. Last night’s event attracted stars from novelist Salman Rushdie and actress Anna Chancellor (aka Duck Face from Four Weddings and a Funeral) to Her Royal Highness Princess Badiya Bint El Hassan.
The level of achievement from the finalists was stunning. Winners included the youngest and only female CEO of a City broker, Sam Smith of FinnCap, to the show-stealing lead from the smash-hit musical Wicked.
Holly Tucker, founder of Notonthehighstreet.com, bagged the gong for Entrepreneurial Woman of the Future while 19-year-old Ruth Amos picked the Young Star Award for the StairSteady invention.
Funniest moment of the night: Tessa Jowell was up on stage presenting the voluntary award. She gestured to the event’s compere, BBC London news presenter Riz Lateef and said, “I’ve been interviewed by Rose many, many times”.
[We wonder why you can’t remember her name, then?]
A special commendation was given to the phenomenal Debbie Moore, the founder of Pineapple dance studios and the first female to float her company on the London Stock Exchange.
For the full list of finalists, click here.
Related articles:Holly Tucker: Entrepreneurial Woman of the Future