17 October 2011
Julie White, Managing Director of D-Drill, has been named the Vitalise Business Woman of the Year 2011 at a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, which celebrates women’s achievements across the Midlands.
Julie held off extremely strong competition from a range of other leading, high-profile businesswomen from the region.
Having set off round the world after leaving college, she did a range of jobs including being a yacht’s skipper and being a pizza seller on a beach during her travels.
But after 12 years away she returned to the region and bought the family business – D-Drill – from her father in 2008 and has set about modernising the company which has its headquarters in Coventry and offices around the UK.
She has increased turnover and, as well as being managing director, has just signed up for the company apprenticeship scheme to see what the firm’s other drilling apprentices go through.
Julie has also just completed a walk to the Everest Base Camp to help raise the profile of a local explorer and is a champion for women – especially those in business.
She said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have won such a major award.
“The competition was so tough and I am just thrilled that the judges chose me and I will use this as an opportunity to further champion the cause of women in business.
“It’s not a case of competing against men – it’s all about giving other women the confidence to see what they can achieve. The industry that I am in is traditionally dominated by men and if I can do what I have done – other women can too.”
Judy Groves, chair of the awards – which are sponsored by Vitalise, said Julie was a worthy winner.
She said: “We had some fantastic entries from across the region but we were just bowled over by Julie’s story and her commitment to everything she does.
“She is an inspiration to others and will be a fantastic ambassador for women right across the region.”
Runners-up included Sarah Balfour, Founder/Director of Music by Arrangement, Sara Fowler, Senior Partner of Ernst and Young LLP, Sue and Rachel Hawkins, Proprietors/Directors of Ace High Ents Ltd, Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor at Aston University, Suzanne Linton, MD of Freestyle Interactive Ltd and 2010/2011 finalist Alison Wetton, CEO and Founder of All About Weight.
Previous winners include Suzie Norton, former chief executive of Screen WM, Karren Brady, one of Sir Alan Sugar’s trusted aides on The Apprentice and vice-chairman at West Ham United, Sarah Tremellen, founder and chief executive of Bravissimo, and Perween Warsi, founder of S&A Foods.
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