Channel 4’s Head of Corporate Services, Julie Kortens, Scoops Prestigious City Award
Julie Kortens, Head of Corporate Services at Channel 4, beat off the competition to win the Facilities Management category for the 2011 Women in the City Woman of Achievement Award.
Julie became one of just seven eminent women who secured success and won their category. The highly competitive award scheme saw a wide variety of talented female executives from across London go head-to-head to compete for the Women in the City award.
Ms Kortens said: “I am extremely proud to be recognised for this award and hope it provides inspiration to other women to take full advantage of the myriad of opportunities the FM profession offers. I look forward to sharing my experience and offering support and guidance to others.
“My role as Head of Corporate Services at Channel 4 brings with it huge responsibility and every day is a challenge but I enjoy it enormously. I am passionate about my job and equally passionate about my team and the fantastic work they do.”
The Facilities Management category is sponsored by Lusso, the niche city caterer, and endorsed by the Facilities Management Association (FMA). As a category endorser the FMA helps to; promote the awards, provide a Judging Panel, select the Category Winner, and presents the Award Certificates.
She was nominated by Debra Ward, Vice-Chairman of the FMA, who commented; “Julie’s passion for her career and how she uses her knowledge, experience and position in helping others, especially young females into a relatively demanding profession was both impressive and refreshing. Throughout her presentation Julie emphasised the need to take everyone in the workplace on the journey. Her philosophy is to champion confidence and passion which inspires her team all the while showing empathy and understanding especially those younger and less
experienced. She is a role model not just for women but for all those in FM and in the business world in general.”
The overarching aim of the Women in the City Woman of Achievement Award is to highlight and formally recognise the outstanding contribution these women make to the City and in particular to identify those who are actively promoting and encouraging the progress of women above and beyond their everyday job. The Award identifies excellence and celebrates the achievements of senior and partner-level professionals working in London’s business hubs. Now in its fifth year the Award draws over 350 women to the Annual Women in the City Celebration Lunch in November when the 2011 Woman of Achievement Award Winner is announced.
Ms Kortens went on to contend for the overall 2011 Woman of Achievement Award, which was presented on Friday, 25th November at the 9th Annual Women in the City Annual Celebration Lunch held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London. The winner of this award will receive a prize which includes a place on the Accelerated Development Program delivered by the University of Chicago Booth School of Business at its London campus .In a very strong field the FM category was this year again unsuccessful but Julie was extremely pleased to join the select group of FM’s who have won the category award.
The Awards judging panel is chaired by Prof Susan Vinnicombe, OBE, Director, Centre for Developing Women Business Leaders at Cranfield School of Management.
More information at www.citywomen.co.uk.
- Ends -
For media enquiries and further information please contact:
Harriet Subramanian
Within PR
Tel: 07949 626375
Notes to editors:
- Photographs and interviews are available upon request.
- If you are interested in attending the Women it the City Annual Lunch and Awards please contact Harriet Subramanian at Within PR.
About Women in the City: - Launched in 2003 Women in the City has built a strong presence in London’s business hubs and its Annual Celebration Lunch is one of the City’s signature events. It attracts sponsorship from major corporates and its Awards Programme has the backing of the UK’s major professional bodies. Its Woman of Achievement Award recognises senior and partner level women who, in addition to fulfilling a demanding job, are actively supporting the progress of women. This year, two new Award categories have been introduced – Medicine/Healthcare and Technology. Category Winners compete for the coveted Woman of Achievement Award and a place on the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Accelerated Development Program.
The Future Leaders Award, introduced in 2010 identifies fast-track women with high leadership potential. The Award’s winner gains a place on Cranfield University’s Accelerated Talent Development Programme.
Through WIC’s Internship Programme female students are able to network beyond their usual circles, gain confidence from hosting at events, speak with enthusiasm about WIC at interviews, acquire valuable business and life skills, and secure jobs.
Women in the City has recently set up a Foundation to enable individuals to make better informed and more aspirational career choices and will be supporting two pilot projects in 2012.
About Lusso
Lusso, a specialist division of the independent catering group, CH&Co, provides the very finest food and service standards to exacting clients in the City of London and beyond. Services include fine dining, hospitality and bespoke staff catering for a select portfolio of clients, mainly in the legal, financial and media fields. Reputation, creativity and style are everything in this highly competitive sector of the market. With some of most talented and highly skilled chefs in London, this niche player sets impeccable standards for others to follow. Clients include Hogan Lovells LLP, Norton Rose and BDO LLP. Current annual turnover is £15.5 million and the company employs 398 people.
About FMA
The Facilities Management Association [FMA] is the leading trade association representing companies providing service provision in the Facilities Management industry. It sits at the heart of the industry and provides a conduit for discussion between its members, Government policy and clients. One of its many interests is developing the skills requirements of its members and has been pleased to be involved with Women in the City for the last 4 years.