Here's what we learned from the 10 inspiring winners of the Women At The Top Awards, in association with Windows 10 and Freixenet
We scoured the UK to find the most inspirational innovators for Marie Claire’s Women At The Top Awards, held at the Corinthia Hotel, in association with Windows 10 and Freixenet. From business to the arts, tech to medicine, the awards honoured the ten game-changers who have shaped 2015.
Guests at the amazing event were greeted with a cocktail and canapé reception before taking their seats for the ceremony, which was hosted by Marie Claire's editor-in-chief, Trish Halpin, and publishing director, Justine Southall, who presented our ten winners with their awards.
The winners were:
Bridget Christie, award-winning comedian
Destiny Ekaragha, filmmaker and only the third black female director to have released a feature-length film in the UK
Pip Black and Joan Murphy, founders of Frame gym.
Dr Safia Jabeen, founder of the Chandni sexual health clinic for Muslim women.
Paula Hawkins, writer of the bestselling The Girl On The Train.
Kim Woodward, the first female head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s five-star Savoy Grill
Major Natalie Taylor, regimental medical officer for the British Army
Emily Rawson, DJ and founder of the all-female DJ collective Rock The Belles
Karen Blackett OBE, CEO of MediaCom
Josephine Goube, director of strategic partnerships at Migreat, an online platform helping individuals with immigration.
Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, made and amazing opening speech on the night, saying, 'It's an honour to be given the job of helping to introduce tonight's event and it's a real privilege to be here.'
She went on to say, 'I'm particularly delighted because my day job involves shouting to anyone who will listen about the marvellous things that happen when women are given an equal chance to shine.'
Novelist Paula Hawkins was chosen by our partners Windows 10 to receive a sepcial recognition on the night.
Filmmaker Destiny Ekaragha (right, pictured with Safia Jabeen) was also chosen by our partners Freixenet to receive a special acknowledgement by them.
Winner of nine comedy awards including the Rose d’Or International, comedian Bridget Christie was the first winner of the night to collect her award. She said: 'I see so many articles about successful women, and everyone will have the same sort of story, which is that she has been constantly demeaned, humiliated and harassed. All the stories are put down to a number of different factors, like quotas or class, rather than their actual abilities, talents or hard work.... these women are really important because young girls need role models.'