Thursday was a good night for Good Energy, when our founder and CEO Juliet Davenport was named ‘First Woman of Retail and Consumer’ at the 2011 First Women Awards, sponsored by Lloyds Bank.

Juliet beat off stiff competition - some top ladies from McDonalds Restaurants (ahem), Lady Geek and Aramark - to share the honour with Thea Green, founder of international nail bar chain Nails Inc.

BBC Sports presenter Clare Balding hot-footed it from Wimbledon to host the evening, entertaining the audience with latest gossip from behind the scenes at the tennis tournament.

But overall the theme of the evening was a serious one – how to ensure that women are encouraged to achieve their full potential in what is still, for many, a male-dominated business world. “This year’s winners demonstrate the breadth of talent that women bring to all areas of our economy - they are truly outstanding!” said Diana Brightmore –Armour, CEO of Corporate Banking at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets. “The recognition these awards offer is vital in providing inspiration to future generations of women.” She echoed sentiments expressed by many other female speakers during the evening, including  Baroness Verma, Lords Spokesperson for the Cabinet Office and for Women and Equalities and Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary.
 
While it was wonderful to celebrate female achievement with such a great group of inspiring, talented and high-achieving businesswomen, Good Energy was particularly pleased to add a greener tint to the evening with our table of some of the finest eco-women in the land. They included film-maker Franny Armstrong, founder of 10:10; Angela Bryant, 10:10’s new executive director;  Karen Ford of Footprint Friends;  Trudy Thompson of Bricks and Bread and Solitaire Townsend of Futerra – alongside Good Energy gals Angela, Anna, Jessica and Sophy.

A big thanks to everyone for making it a special night to remember.

 
Juliet (second right) with Thea Green from Nails Inc (right) and award presenters Fru Haslitt and Carol Rosati (left) from sponsors Harvey Nash.

 
Juliet (5th from right) with the other award winners.