The search is on for women breaking barriers as Forward Ladies launches its 2023 Leadership Summit and Awards

Griselda Togobo, chief executive of Leeds-headquartered Forward Ladies, said: “We are excited to launch the Forward Ladies Leadership Summit and Awards to identify and recognise the women breaking barriers.

"We are thrilled to continue to use our platform to showcase the achievements of women across the public and private sectors, giving them the recognition and visibility they need to inspire the next generation of leaders.

“These women are changing lives and transforming the UK's businesses, communities, and industries.

"They are the audacious ones, the innovative, transformational female leaders, the game changers and the unstoppable ones - and we can’t wait to meet this year’s nominees.”

The 2023 Awards will comprise of 13 categories, spanning corporate, entrepreneurship, social impact, and youth leadership, with an overall businesswoman of the year award.

Sheridan Ash, leader in technology innovation at PwC, and founder and co-chief executive of the charity Tech She Can, was named businesswoman of the year in 2022.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post after receiving her award, Ms Ash said: “I left school with no qualifications because of terrible dyslexia. I was bullied a lot and if there had been a vote for the person most likely not to succeed in life, I think I probably would have won it.

"When I left school, I had no aspirations and no role models. So to be here today winning Businesswoman of the Year, it’s quite a journey from that start in life.”

She added: “But nobody succeeds on their own. There’s a whole army of really talented people that work with me to achieve what we’ve achieved at Tech She Can.”

Last year’s theme, unstoppable women, celebrated women who have overcome exceptional odds to get where they are.

A panel of judges will have the task of reviewing this year’s applications and shortlisting finalists from the thousands of entries expected.

The 2023 judging panel will include Joanna Jensen, the founder and chief executive of the UK’s number one children’s toiletry brand, Child’s Farm, and previous FL Leadership Summit keynote speaker.

She will be joined by Lisa Kelly, head of BTC UK & Ireland, Julianne Antrobus, head of nuclear at PA Consulting, Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve and Sahar Hashemi, founder of Coffee Republic in recognising the women smashing through the glass ceiling and striving for equality and equity.

The shortlist and winners will be selected by a judging panel and interviewed live on October 5, 2023.

This year’s winners will be revealed at a summit and award ceremony in London on November 24, 2023.

Submissions are now open in the following categories: Transformational Leader of the Year, Emerging Leader of the Year, Rising Star of the Year, Stem Leader of the Year, Inspiring Mentor of the Year, Education / Academic Leader of the Year, Social Impact of the Year, Public / Third Sector Leader of the Year, Start Up of the Year, Female Entrepreneur of the Year, Disruptor / Innovator of the Year, and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.