A ‘DELIGHTED’ Warwickshire chief executive has been named Business Woman of the Year at the Women of the Year (WOTY) Luncheon and Awards ceremony in its 40th anniversary year.
Suzanne Linton, CEO of tech agency Freestyle, won the award which is designed to celebrate the success of an individual making transformational changes within their organisation or sector.
Freestyle, based just outside Leamington and established in 1996, offers a digital consultancy service aiming to improve customer experiences and business performance. The business now employs 30 people.
Suzanne, who lives in Stratford, has instilled her strong belief in a healthy work-life balance across the company. With a focus on building trust, openness and a positive working culture, Freestyle is well-regarded for placing employee development and well-being at the heart of the business.
Suzanne said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be named Business Woman of the Year and it’s a real honour to be recognised in this way.
“I’d like to thank Women of the Year for this wonderful accolade and for helping to shine a light on the achievements of women in business.
“I admire the passion and dedication of all my fellow finalists and it’s been so inspiring to hear their stories and celebrate their work at this year’s ceremony.”
The 40th anniversary of the annual awards ceremony took place at Hilton Birmingham Metropole and welcomed over 600 professionals from the private and public sectors.
Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, WOTY director and CEO of Twycross Zoo, said: “Suzanne was shortlisted alongside seven other inspiring women of huge talent, skill and determination and this year’s ceremony has been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their achievements and highlight their important work.
“It’s so important to support and champion fellow women in business and Suzanne is a wonderful advocate for that.”
The Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards was established in 1982 as a ladies’ luncheon to raise vital funds for charitable causes and to highlight and celebrate the achievements of women.
One of the UK’s longest running annual awards, the organisation celebrates the achievements of exceptional women, and highlights individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to their business, sector or wider community.
Over the last four decades, winners have included Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Katie Piper, Dame Asha Khemka DBE and British Paralympian Martine Wright MBE.
Zalena Vandrewala, chair of the Awards, added: “This year’s ceremony, our 40th anniversary year, was a wonderful celebration and a truly inspiring event. After two years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it felt particularly poignant to all come together and showcase the fantastic achievements of women in business. We’d like to congratulate Suzanne and all our other winners and finalists from this year.”
All proceeds from this year’s Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards will go directly to charity, with just under £600,000 raised to date.
For 2022, the event will support The Prince’s Trust: Women Supporting Women Initiative, a group of supporters who are committed to changing the lives of young women, and NHS Charities Together.
Visit www.womenoftheyear.org.uk for more information.
