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Five women were added to the Most Influential Women in Travel list at the annual AWTE Chair Awards which took place yesterday at the Radisson Edwardian Hampshire in Leicester Square, London.
Lisa Henning Group Membership Services Director The Travel Network Group
Sophie Griffiths Editor TTG
Debbie Dale Debbee Dale Development
Jo Rzymowska Managing Director Celebrity Cruises
Sarah Clayton Turner Chair AWTE
The event saw female industry pioneers rewarded for their impact on business and the industry as a whole and the AWTE Benevolent Fund presented cheques to pioneering new business owners.
Company of the Year was appointed to Celebrity Cruises which appointed Nobel Laureate and UN Ambassador for Peace Malala Yousafzai as the Godmother to their new ship Celebrity Edge.
Their partnership with the Malala Foundation is part of an ongoing drive to champion diversity and education for all women across the globe.
On winning the award Jo Rzymowska said: “I am so proud of a company that promotes diversity and inclusion and constantly looks to see how we can get greater equality throughout our organisation.”
Sophie Griffiths Editor of TTG won The Business Impact Award. Sophie has put diversity at the forefront of the travel industry creating a diversity charter and TTG LGBGT.
The AWTE Honorary Award was given to previous chair, Debbee Dale for her outstanding contribution and ongoing support to the association.
The five women added to the “influential women in travel” list were:
Barbara Kolosinska from C and M Recruitment
Lisa McAuley from Silversea Cruises
Joanna Kolatsis from Hill Dickenson
Wendy Wu from Wendy Wu Tours
Jeannette Linfoot from Saga Holidays
Sarah Clayton Turner – Chair of the AWTE said: “This evening has been a turning point for the AWTE. Diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of the travel agenda, TTG and Celebrity Cruises are businesses that champion these issues and the women who lead them thoroughly deserve recognition”.
The evening opened with a speech from Lisa Henning on behalf of sponsor The Travel Network Group. Lisa spoke issued a rallying call for industry to “stop talking the talk and start walking the walk” on issues around women in the workplace ranging from gender equality
Three female entrepreneurs were given cash gifts for the advancement of their businesses by the AWTE Benevolent Fund. These were Jane Pierce, Kathryn Bullock and Linda Allison.
