People 1st, the hospitality skills council, set up Women 1st in 2009 in an effort to encourage women in their hospitality careers.
One of the development programme’s first initiatives is the launch of the Women 1st Top 100 Most Influential Women awards, which will take place every year to recognise women’s achievements in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sectors.
Women 1st says it has so far received around 200 entries for the first round of the awards, with Hartnett, Jones and Ibrahim being amongst the leading nominees.
Entries are still being accepted until Friday 18 February and can be made via the People 1st website.
Women will also have the opportunity to enter Women 1st Shine Awards, which include five individual categories and two business categories to celebrate “outstanding achievement”.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Savoy Hotel on Thursday 31 March 2011.
Retain talent
Robyn Jones OBE, co-founder and chief executive of CH&Co said: “To be nominated for the Top 100 is an honour in itself. There are so many strong women within the industry today and it is great to have an opportunity to reward and acknowledge their input.
“I truly believe that men and women bring different things to the table and that the female perspective has proved invaluable in many organisations throughout the industry. The Top 100 offers an opportunity for many women to shine so I feel that I am in good company!"
Natalie Bickford, Sodexo’s UK and Ireland HR director and chair of Women 1st said: “David Cameron has acknowledged the vital role the hospitality and tourism industry will play in driving the country’s economy forward. It is paramount that we as an industry develop and retain the best talent – whether male or female.
“Showcasing women who have worked hard to achieve their career aspirations in our amazing industry will hopefully inspire countless others to emulate that success.”
According to research by People 1st, around 60 per cent of the hospitality workforce is made up of women, but only 6 per cent of company directors are female.