Personality of the Year award
Perween Warsi’s journey from Derby housewife and mother of two sons starting a business from her kitchen making authentic Indian curries to being the boss of an £70M turnover ethnic meals business employing 600 people is well documented.
What is perhaps less well known is that this successful business women is also a passionate champion for women in business in the UK. It was her various business and public activities – both nationally and in her local community – that won her an MBE in 1997 followed by a CBE in 2002.
While still very much hands on in driving forward the S&A business, Warsi is has most recently been involved with the London-based organisation Everywoman, which is dedicated to the advancement of women in business. She is also closely involved with another organisation that supports the education of poor children in India.
Food and drink manufacture is much in need of high profile advocates such as Warsi to champion the cause of women on company boards. Like far too many sectors of the UK business world, food and drink manufacture has suffered from not recognising the untapped talents women have to offer at the very highest levels. It is cause that should be applauded.