The Specsavers Everywoman in Retail Awards

About the Specsavers Everywomen Awards

The Specsavers Everywoman in Retail Awards aim to change the current severe shortage of female talent working at the top in the retail industry. Research indicates that there are less than 5% female CEOs in retail companies and only 8% of purchasing decisions made in the retail industry are made by women (source: Skillsmart Retail). With several diverse award categories to enter, the awards are a great opportunity to highlight a range of women making a difference in the retail sector.

You can find out more about the awards on the Everywoman website.

Why should I enter?

• Being selected as a finalist, or in fact winning an award, will attract attention and support from the business world, government, industry and the press.
• It will recognise the nominee as an inspirational ‘role model’ who will inspire more women to consider a career in the retail industry.

What award categories can I enter?

• Hidden Talent of the Year Award
• Star of the Future Award
• Leader of the Year Award
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• Inspiration of the Year Award
• Store Manager of the Year Award
• Innovator of the Year
• The Specsavers Woman of the Year Award
 - this award will be selected by the judges from the finalists of our seven categories listed above and will go to one exceptional woman whose vision, innovative approach and success make her an outstanding role model that will inspire more women to choose a career in retail. Please do not submit a nomination form for this category

How do I enter?

The easiest way to enter the Specsavers Everywoman in Retail Awards is to nominate online.

The awards close for entries on Tuesday 2 June 2009.

What are the entrance criteria?

The Everywoman in Retail Awards are open to women working in the Retail industry. Entrants can nominate themselves or can be nominated by a colleague or associate.

Entrants must provide:

• The name and contact details of a valid internal reference i.e. Line Manager/Director
• The name and contact details of a second referee i.e. Colleague, Manager, Director, Associate

Important:

It is not necessary to inform references at the time of making your nomination. You do not need to get their sign off or endorsement before you submit your nomination form. We will only contact references if the nominee is shortlisted.

To enter the Awards a nomination form will need to be completed for each entrant, the easiest way to do this is to complete an online form. The information provided will be disclosed only to the judges, the staff of everywoman and Make Your Mark on a strictly confidential basis.

Previous applicants to the everywoman in Retail Awards are invited to reapply, and will need to complete a new nomination form with up-to-date information about their business.

A shortlist of finalists will be agreed by the judges and successful nominees will be informed by Friday 31 July 2009.

It is a condition of entry that entrants must ensure that they are available for the Awards ceremony and dinner on Wednesday 16 September 2009, before entering the Awards.

There will be one winner per category and one recipient of The Specsavers Woman of the Year Award. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into before or after the judging.

Key dates for your diary

• Closing date for entries is Tuesday 2 June 2009
• The 2009 Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards will culminate in a ceremony and dinner to be held on Wednesday, 16 September 2009 at the Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square in London.

More information

To find out more about the awards visit the Everywoman website.