Entrepreneur

These categories celebrate entrepreneurs. They are the women who founded or run businesses and maintain control and interest in their business.

Breaking Barriers 2025

Now in its 15th year, the Novi Leadership Summit and Awards honours the impact of female leadership, innovation and entrepreneurism in business. We continue to use our platform to showcase the achievements of women breaking barriers across the public and private sectors, giving them the recognition and visibility, they need to inspire the next generation […]

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Bianca Cefalo

Bianca Cefalo is the CEO and Co-founder of Space DOTS Inc., a UK-based space tech start-up pioneering in-space testing, space environments data harvesting and in-situ quality control of advanced space materials. Bianca boasts over 12 years of industry experience as a Spacecraft Thermal engineer, Deep Tech Sales Executive, and compelling public speaker. She spearheaded innovation

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Jessica Gwaringa

Jessica was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the UK over 20 years ago where she went on to work as a Healthcare Assistant while training to be a Registered Mental Health Nurse. After working as a Mental Health Nurse, Jessica took on the role of a Care Home Manager, it is from here that

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Vivian Bertseka

Vivian is a co-founder and COO of BlueLayer. She brings deep experience as a climate and sustainability private equity investor and operator over the past 20 years. Before co-founding BlueLayer, Vivian was a founding partner of Just Climate, a climate-led private equity investment platform operating as part of Generation Investment Management, aiming to address the

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Elsa Gayle Zekeng

Dr. Elsa Gayle Zekeng is the Founder and CEO of SökerData Ltd, a startup focused on increasing diversity in clinical trials and engaging underrepresented communities in life sciences. She has led her startup to secure investment from prestigious accelerators including Techstars and KQ Labs from the Francis and Crick Institute. Dr. Zekeng’s leadership extends to

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Breaking Barriers

Now in its 14th year, the Novi Leadership Summit and Awards honours the impact of female leadership, innovation and entrepreneurism in business. We continue to use our platform to showcase the achievements of women breaking barriers across the public and private sectors, giving them the recognition and visibility, they need to inspire the next generation

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Unstoppable Women

With this year’s theme being “unstoppable women”, we are celebrating women who are showing exceptional leadership abilities in their teams, challenging and breaking glass ceilings and uplifting communities across the entire UK and globe. These women are changing the world with their craft, talents, creativity, eloquence, leadership and impacting generations all around the world. The

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Georgina Merckel

Georgina is the owner of The Organised Personal Assistant supporting social enterprises and small businesses with their operations so they can focus on their passion. As a VA, Online Business Manager, HR Manager and Business Coach, Georgina provides powerful support to passionate entrepreneurs.

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Christina Lawford-Potter

CEO, Founder and owner of DiamondAir Selection Group. Christina has immense experience in premium passenger handling globally. From 18 years of age, Christina has organically developed 3 companies into global, multi-million-pound businesses and created an unsurpassed business model: an international network in over 600 airports and train stations globally.

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Jodie Hill

Jodie Hill is committed to de-stigmatising mental health and disability in the workplace. Following a breakdown in 2018, she changed her working life by establishing Thrive Law, believing everyone should be enabled to Thrive at work. Thrive Law specialises in Employment and HR, focusing on workplace mental health.

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Mae Yip

Mae left her accountancy job at PWC to co-create ERIC. Her mission in life is to make sure young people from all walks of life were told about their career options in the creative industries. Her role is to work with creative employers and connect them with young creatives.

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Novi-winners-stage

Breaking Barriers

Now in its 13th year, the Forward Ladies Leadership Summit and Awards honours the impact of female leadership, innovation and entrepreneurism in business. We continue to use our platform to showcase the achievements of women breaking barriers across the public and private sectors, giving them the recognition and visibility, they need to inspire the next

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