Woman's realm

The city's most successful women gathered at the Mansion House to promote and encourage female achievement in York.

The special dinner was the brainchild of the Lord Mayor, Coun Charles Hall and both his wife, the Lady Mayoress Janice Hall, and the Sheriff's Lady, Judith Orrell, were at the event.

Liz Page, the managing director of York & County Press, spoke at the event along with Laura McGillivray, City of York Council's deputy chief executive, Radio York's news editor, Elly Fiorentini, and Jenny Vickers, the council's assistant director of education.

1. Alison Higgins: As York operations commander, Alison is the female face of policing in the city. She manages more than 300 police staff, is a trained hostage and kidnap negotiator and holds the portfolio for missing persons in the area.

2. Janice Murray: As deputy head of the National Railway Museum, Janice devises and implements the popular museum's strategy and business plan. She helps make sure the NRM stays one of York's top attractions.

3. Janice Hall: As the Lady Mayoress of York, Janice has had her hands full with civic duties since her husband, Coun Charles Hall, became the Lord Mayor of York last May. She will continue until a new mayor takes over next month.

4. Julia Bodmer: As director of sales at the Royal York Hotel, Julia manages the sales and marketing of one of the city's largest hotels. She is responsible for making sure the business, formerly Le Meridien, achieves its financial goals.

5. Elly Fiorentini: As news editor at BBC Radio York, Elly guides a team of journalists, monitors the competition and keeps the rest of the BBC up-to-date on North Yorkshire news. She also produces and presents Drivetime.

6. Sally Neocosmos: As the registrar at the University of York, Sally is responsible for implementing university policy. She also leads and manages a broad range of administrative and support services.

7. Diana Golding: Diana manages the Coppergate shopping Centre. She chairs the steering committee of Retailers Against Crime in York, and is a director of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Shopmobility York.

8. Tracey Carter: Instrumental in developing City of York Council's e-government strategy, Tracey delivers all the council's computer and telephone services. She also gives both councillors and council officers advice on IT issues.

9. Fiona Sidwell: Fiona is the managing director of York events management company Exclusive Events. Her clients include British Aerospace and Asda, and she is handling the corporate hospitality at an Elton John concert this summer.

10. Pat Baker: Pat was appointed as the new chairman of the York Housing Association Board in March. She has worked in the housing sector for 20 years and hopes to help the association make a difference to the community.

11. Julie Wright: Julie is the head of business management at City of York Council. An assistant director of the resources department, she is responsible for system support and central accountancy.

12. Katherine Hague: As centre manager of Monks Cross shopping park, Katherine is responsible for the centre's security, maintenance and health and safety. She also liaises with retailers to make sure the running of the centre goes smoothly.

13. Sophie McGill: A key player in rescuing York City Football Club from the brink of extinction, Sophie is the club's communications director. At 26, she is the youngest female director of a professional football club.

14. Denise Howard: As the owner of YorkBoat, Denise helped transform the River Ouse into a tourist attraction in its own right. She received an OBE in 2002 for her continued services to the tourism industry in York.

15. Rachael Brayshaw: Rachael is volunteer and fundraising co-ordinator at Woodlands Respite Centre, which is funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. She develops and implements both local and regional fundraising strategies.

16. Jane Tyler: The managing director of RedBlack Software, a York software business that specialises in Microsoft access and websites. She heads a team of seven and was instrumental in bringing the Phenomenal Women's Network to York.

17. Jane Sachedina: A commercial solicitor, Jane owns and runs the networking organisation, Business Network, with her business partner, Yvonne Hanrop. The organisation promotes the creation of long term business relationships.

18. Liz Page: As managing director of York & County Press, Liz is responsible for all its publications, including the Evening Press, the York Star series, and www.thisisyork.co.uk. She also chairs York@Large, York's cultural partnership.

19. Gillian Cruddas: It is Gillian's job as chief executive of the York Tourism Bureau to market the city for visitors and run York's two tourist information centres. She is also a director of the York Theatre Royal and the Chamber of Commerce.

20. Marjorie Stuttle: Marjorie launched Caroline's Rainbow Foundation in memory of her daughter, Caroline, who was murdered while backpacking in Australia. The charity aims to help young travellers abroad.

21. Kay Goodwin: A major figure in York's healthcare, Kay is the director of strategic partnerships and localities for the Selby and York Primary Care Trust. She was appointed in 2002 after a short spell acting as chief executive.

22. Janet Barnes: Janet is the chief executive of York Museums Trust, responsible for York Art Gallery, York Castle Museum and gardens and St Mary's Church. She has a major part to play in the cultural side of York.

23. Zoe Plummer: As managing director of Fulford Builders (York) Limited, Zoe is in charge of a workforce of 20 and a turnover of £3 million. A qualified quantity surveyor, her vision is shaping the future of the region's towns and villages.

24. Jenny Vickers: As City of York Council's assistant director of education, Jenny helps ensure York's education and leisure services are leading the way. She works closely with schools to promote high standards of education.

25. Norma Middlemiss: The manager of the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, she is responsible for making sure the shopping centre near Naburn is a success. She makes sure there is a good mix of stores at McArthurGlen, which offer customers a good deal.

26. Michelle Burns: As headteacher of Oaklands School, a York secondary school with 900 pupils, Michelle already has her hands full. But she is also the director of the youth agency, Connexions York and North Yorkshire and a governor at York College.

27. Laura McGillivray: As deputy chief executive of City of York Council, Laura is responsible for the council's Safe City and Community Pride initiatives, elections and decision making processes, and developing a city-wide vision for York.

28. Diana Gant: Headteacher at the Mount School in York, an independent Quaker school with 460 pupils aged between three and 18. Last summer, pupils at the school achieved some of the highest A-level grades in the country.

29. Sally Brown: As matron and project director at the Nuffield Hospital, Sally is overseeing the hospital's move into the former Nestl Rowntree canteen in Haxby Road. The new hospital will have 40 bedrooms and three operating theatres.

30. Linda Ali: Linda is a researcher of history and uses archives and carries out interviews to get a clear picture of the past. She has used her skills to help voluntary organisations and has had articles published in historical journals.

31. Anne McNeill: Anne is the director of the Impressions Gallery in Castlegate, York and is responsible for the gallery's artistic vision. She is also in charge of strategic planning, staff, fundraising and sponsorship.

32. Judith Orrell: As the Sheriff's Lady, Judith accompanies her husband, Coun Keith Orrell, the current Sheriff of York, on official visits and to civic functions. She is an active member of the Liberal Democrat party.

33. Susanne Walker: Susanne is the managing director of York Science Park (Innovation Centre) Ltd. The Science Park has proved to be a magnet for science firms, and has helped boost York's economy.

34. June Nelsey: June is the director of York's Monkbar Hotel, a three-star hotel in the centre of the city. She is also the chairwoman of the York Hoteliers Group and works with York's major hotels to develop the corporate and leisure business.

Updated: 12:04 Friday, April 30, 2004