This past weekend, over six hundred inspirational women came together to celebrate the Women of the Year Awards. Birmingham Hippodrome Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Fiona Allan walked away with the prestigious accolade of this year’s Woman with Edge.

The 36th annual Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards drew a star-studded audience to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole to see four accolades presented.

Sally Preston, founder and Managing Director of Kiddylicious, scooped the Business Woman of the Year award at the event. Whilst the Hippodrome’s Fiona Allan, finalist for the Business Woman of the Year award, was presented with the Jaguar “Woman with Edge” Award, for defying convention and showing edge in a transformational way within her business life.

Pauline Edden, Director of Women of the Year, said: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome more than 600 guests for today’s ceremony and to award these four accolades to some exceptional women.

“Never has it been more timely or important to celebrate women’s achievements in business and society. Over the last 12 months we have seen worldwide recognition of the struggle for women’s rights.

“The rise of the #MeToo and Time’s Up campaigns, Hollywood’s red-carpet protests and the marking of 100 years of the Women’s Suffrage Movement combined to make this a landmark year in the fight for gender equality.

“Our role in promoting and celebrating inspirational female role models is therefore more important than ever.”

The awards celebrate the achievements on women to a nationwide audience and raise funds for nominated charities, which this year were Revitalise and The Prince’s Trust – Women Supporting Women initiative.

Congratulations Fiona from all of the Hippodrome family!