Four of the six categories at the East Midlands Enterprising Women’s Awards had representatives from Mansfield, highlighting the success of local women on a regional level.

Kim Wilson, of Mansfield Manor, was a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year Category. Katrina Atherton, Director of A-Star Media, was a finalist for Business Woman of the Year, and the Career Champions Board was shortlisted in the Team of the Year Category.

Further success came when Caroline Cox from Mansfield 2020 beat competitors to be crowned the winner of the ‘Rising Star’ award.

Katrina, who is also a member of the Career Champions Board, and a figurehead Ambassador for Invest Ashfield and Mansfield, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see so many women from Mansfield represented at these awards, it goes to show Mansfield business women are really pushing their businesses and the area forward.’

Mansfield businesses outnumbered finalists from the whole of Leicestershire in the awards, which showcase the talent of business women across the region.

Career Champions was launched in the summer of 2013 to engage local schools and businesses.

The team have worked collaboratively with schools and employers to develop a local Careers and Employability Framework ‘bridging the gap’ between young people and the world of work.

Dubbed ‘Career Champions’ Partners are committed to young people, and have given a range of opportunities to youngsters to work with and meet local employers so they can make informed career decisions and develop employability skills to secure future jobs, further training and education.

Local employers that sign up to be a Career Champion sign a pledge to deliver a number of activities including mentoring, sponsorship, work experience and master classes during the academic year. In return they can use the Career Champion Logo on their marketing materials.

Katrina, who is also a member of the Career Champions Board, and a figurehead Ambassador for Invest Ashfield and Mansfield said: “We’ve all worked really hard to build Career Champions, and we are now beginning to see a real results. I’m so proud of what we have achieved, Berni and Caroline are great to work with and it’s so rewarding to gain recognition.”

To date hundreds of young people and many local businesses have engaged with the MAP, helping to raise aspirations and bridge the gap between young people and employers.

If you would like to become a Career Champion contact [email protected] to register your interest.