About the Women in the City Future Leaders Award
Recognising Potential as well as Achievements to date
When the Future Leaders Award was launched in 2010, the first Davies Report had just been published and the focus was on increasing the percentage of women on FTSE100 boards.
However, Women in the City recognised that if greater overall gender diversity were to be achieved in larger organisations (250+ employees), it was essential to develop a pipeline of women with the necessary skillset and experience, and to recognise and reward their potential.
The Award’s purpose is to identify women with that potential and, with the support of the Award Winner’s prize of a personal development programme, enable them to become tomorrow’s C-suite, executive committee and board members.
Award Candidates
Award Candidates are already making a contribution beyond their functional, technical or specialist area. They need to be able to demonstrate senior leadership potential; are committed to their personal and professional development; have strategic networking capabilities and who have a heightened sense of self-awareness.
Many have post-graduate business qualifications and some global experience, either living in a number of countries and/or working in a range of territories.
Some haven’t yet started families, others have returned to work after a career break, most are combining a demanding career with an equally demanding family life.
Award Benefits
Simply entering the Women in the City Future Leaders Award can have a significant impact on a Candidate’s career.
Validation
Many are nominated by senior executives and say that they are “surprised and pleased” when, for example, their CEO nominates them and realize that their contribution is being recognised. Others report the support they receive from colleagues through the Judging Process and the congratulations they receive from clients and customers on becoming a Women in the City Future Leaders Award Finalist or Winner.
Career progression
Most Women in the City Future Leaders Award Finalists achieve a promotion or are given more stretching opportunities within six months of their award achievement and many attribute this not only to the internal and external exposure they gained, but the courage they gained from having competed for the award.
For example, within 2 years, the Women in the City Future Leaders Award Winner, 2011, Leire Jimenez of Mapfre moved from European Sales Director to Managing Director China to CEO Asia Pacific whilst Renee Hawkins moved from Client Principal to Head of Operations at Thoughworks and also fitted in some maternity leave following her Award success in 2012.
Chance to step back and reflect
Even those Future Leaders Award candidates who do not progress through the judging process report that they found the experience of stepping back and reviewing their career in order to complete the application form a valuable process that helped them more clearly identify their forward career path.
Award Ceremony
The 2017 Future Leaders Award Ceremony will happen in June 2017. It will be a celebration of our candidates, finalists and winner.
If you’d like to reach and engage with high potential leaders why not SPONSOR this award in 2017, to find out more contact our Founder & CEO Gwen Rhys.
