Celebrating excellence: Starts with you (our subsidiary) shines at She Inspires Awards 2024 | News

The She Inspires Awards was an evening of celebration, inspiration, and recognition of outstanding achievements by women making waves in their communities and industries, locally, nationally, and globally.

This year, colleagues from our social enterprise subsidiary, Starts with you (www.startswithyou.org.uk, link opens in a new tab) had the incredible honour of seeing three of their senior managers as finalists — a testament to the team’s dedication to driving meaningful change and empowering others.

A night of achievements:

The event (now celebrating its 10th anniversary), which is held to highlight the impact of women across various sectors, was particularly special for Starts with you. Managing Director, Hayley Hulme, was honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hayley’s unwavering leadership, vision, and commitment to encouraging innovation has inspired change far beyond our immediate work. Her recognition as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is a well-deserved tribute to her relentless efforts to uplift others and make a positive change in the community.

Hayley’s acceptance of the award was a proud moment for everyone at Starts with you. Her win reflects her deep passion for empowering individuals and creating opportunities for success, both within the organisation and across the wider community.

Starts with you’s Chair of the Board, Scott Darraugh, said:

"Hayley has proven to be an exceptional leader, a visionary strategist, and a tireless advocate for social impact. She embodies the values of inclusivity, compassion, and collaboration, ensuring that the enterprise not only meets but exceeds its objectives in supporting individuals and communities to thrive.

"Her integrity, empathy, and unwavering focus on creating positive change inspire all those around her. Hayley has cultivated a positive, dynamic, and high-performing culture at Starts with you, enabling her team to deliver transformative services that make a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.

"I am absolutely thrilled that Hayley’s remarkable contributions have been recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Her leadership has left an indelible mark not only on Starts with you but on the many lives she has touched through her work. This award is an acknowledgement of her vision, determination, and ability to inspire those around her to achieve great things."

And Hayley said:

"I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I do — it’s so rewarding to see the support we offer empower individuals to grow and thrive. It’s a testament to everyone who has embraced this journey, helping us build a network of women and like-minded individuals who share our values, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

"I’m both surprised and honoured to be recognised, and I’m committed to using this platform to make an even greater impact."

A team of changemakers:

Alongside Hayley’s exceptional recognition, two of Starts with you's senior managers also stood out as finalists:

• Claire Calman: Finalist in the Agent of Change category, Claire embodies the ethos of driving transformation. Her work has been pivotal in promoting inclusion and creating a positive impact within and beyond our organisation.
• Jayda Mulligan: Finalist for Women in Leadership, Jayda’s dynamic leadership style, dedication to her team, and commitment to excellence have made her an inspiration to all who work alongside her.

Claire Calman, Hayley Hulme, and Jayda Mulligan at the 2024 She Inspires Awards.

Celebrating women, celebrating teamwork:

As we reflect on the evening, we’re reminded that the strength of Starts with you lies in the collective passion, ambition, integrity, and drive of its people. To have three of the organisation's leaders recognised on such a platform is a moment of immense pride and a reflection of the culture Starts with you colleagues have nurtured — one of empowerment, collaboration, and commitment to making a difference.

The She Inspires Awards not only celebrated individual achievements, but also underscored the power of shared vision and purpose. We're all incredibly proud of Hayley, Claire, and Jayda for representing the spirit of Starts with you and showcasing the impact women can have when they lead with authenticity and determination.

Congratulations to all the women who were honoured at this year's She Inspires Awards. If you'd like to learn more about the She Inspires Awards, tap here: www.sheinspiresawards.com (link opens in a new tab).