The second edition of the Malta Businesswoman of the Year Award has been launched, the aim being to promote and recognise women who have achieved significant success in business, and to inspire and empower women to reach their full potential.

The award, sponsored by HSBC, Farsons Group and Nestlè Malta Ltd, has a number of categories. The main award is for a female business owner/entrepreneur, director, executive/manager or professional who has achieved outstanding success. The Young Businesswoman of the Year will also be chosen, a female business leader aged under 35 who is already blazing a trail for her generation. In addition, two company awards will be given to recognise businesses displaying excellence in the promotion of women in business. One category will be open to smaller businesses with up to 50 full time employees and the other for larger businesses and corporations.

Dr Vella underlined the importance of promoting gender equality, especially from a young age, and to recognise the added value women bring to the place of work. Education, the President added, is key to change local perceptions and biases about women’s role in society and contribution to the country’s economy.

HSBC Malta CEO, Andrew Beane said: “I believe that the most successful businesses are those which have diversity of thought at the centre of their culture. While our economy has grown strongly, its full potential continues to be held back by a lack of gender diversity at the most senior levels of the country’s businesses.” He said half of the most senior leaders at HSBC are female executives, all of whom reached the highest level of the bank based on their ability and performance.

Giuliana Isolani, Country Manager at Nestlè Malta, said that, globally, her company is purposefully committed to empowering women. “Our commitment to gender balance in Malta is equally strong and, in fact, 40 per cent of our Executive Committee are women. These numbers are the result of an embedded gender balance strategy across all our business practices and policies, which support female talents to pursue their careers, such as agile work or teleworking.”

Farsons Group CEO, Norman Aquilina noted that although progress was made in ensuring equal opportunities for men and women in Malta, there is still a lot to be done. “Society still needs more female role models who inspire us all to strive for a better future. Farsons is committed to supporting the Malta Businesswoman of the Year Award precisely because it is a great platform to showcase individuals and organisations that, through a culture of diversity and equality, have achieved impressive results,” he noted.

More information on the awards, including how to apply, are available at www.mbwya.com.mt.

Applications close on 1st April 2020.