After 3years I am able to confirm that despite the abstainance of such activity the lesser spotter holiday does infect exist.
Starting out from EC3 at 6 am andtrundling down to Folkestone via a McD’s brekie we boarded a very purpose built styles carriage and zipped under the channel to Calais.
After two brief stops and 8 hrs of driving we made it to our destination in the middle of the dordogne.
Quiet, hot, dry and hilly we were at the house of my in-laws. days days ahead of happy children and litterray intake to rest the brain and fuel the engine.
It was lovely returning to Eritrea from what I think is the 8th or 9th time. The people are as welcoming as always, the familiar environment is easy going, lively and enjoyable. On the Sunday we set off for the office to the backdrop over a stream of wedding cortèges; by 9:30am we counted 7 bridal cars, each with a different bride, josteling for the best photo opportunities outside the Asmara Palace Hotel.
We had a very successful trip, Phil and Mike were stars and the project to upgrade our client the National Insurance Corporation of Eritrea went according to plan.
On November 2nd 2011 I attended as a finalist of the Women in the City Awards, Technology Category sponsored by Google and the Worshipful Company of Information Technology. I was delighted to be recognised in a somewhat David and Golliath situation and awarded the first ever “Highly Commended”. I was not absolutely sure but I think it was the first time I won anything.
Hot on the heals of that amazing experience on November 17th at a star-studded gala evening and cabaret on at The Lancaster London. In attendance were many celebrities such as Rolf Harris, Julie Graham, Tristan Gemmill and David Westhead who generously lent their support to help raise funds for various charities. The audience was royally entertained by Bobby Davro’s comedy act and danced the night away with Cheryl Baker and The Original Bucks Fizz. The music album “Quantitative Easy Listening” was released featuring three duets by Ben Goh and Cheryl Baker.
I was attending another prestigious event, this time the Compliance Register’s Platinum Awards in two categories: Technology Provider of the Year, and CEO of the Year. I was blown away when we won the former and I was runner up in the latter.
Barely a few months later the news came through that my team had entered me into the Every Woman, Women in Technology awards for Leader of the Year in an SME and I was being called for an interview. The Category was sponsored by the BCS. When my name was called out I was quite honestly stunned. I had spent the previous three hours meeting some amazing women and there was simply no way that I felt I compared more favourably for any award than anyone else in that room. It was simply inspirational.
I have to say I have felt amazingly wonderful with the last 6 months of honours, but also that the team I work with deserve the acolades as much as I do.
I have also had the opportunity to meet some amazing people along the way, Kerri Mansfield of the WCIT, Maggie Berry MD of Women in Technology, to name just two.
Not a very inspiring title for this piece but so much has happened. Firstly the Charity fund raising went brilliantly. We have raised over £10,000 including being awarded £1,000 from Lloyd’s.
Following on from that I found I was nominated for Women in the City Award, and was awarded Highly Commended in the Technology Category. Kenn, Phil and Sue all came with me for the awards Ceremony – it was brilliant. Following on from that one of the Sponsors of the Category – The Worshipful Company of IT invited me to join as a Freeman of the Company. The various archaic rights, such as being able to take sheep over London Bridge were delightful to discover, but more seriously i hope to get involved in the educational aspects of the Company, and in particular assisting in raising awareness of girls at School of Career opportunities.
Then a week after that I hosted my Birthday drinks which I thoroughly enjoyed, and I confirm I remembers it as well!
A week later I attended the Compliance Register’s Platinum awards where we were announced as the Winners of Technology Provider of the year and I was runner up in Best CEO. Again staggered and delighted.
It didn’t stop there, I was then accepted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of IT.
Now all we have to do is turn this into an advantage for Morning Data and show every one that we are an ethical, creative and proactive company comprising a team of whom I am very proud.
I am part of a team of people who woukd ike to raise funds for Breast Cancer Campaign. Though the need to raise money is always there it was the news that our friend Kim was told her breast Cancer was going to kill her that spurred us to take time out from our busy lives and raise some money.
So firstly we needed somewhere to raise the money – www.justgiving.com/kims-ride4life
Next a mission – we are starting with 1000 miles for a £1000
Next a method – we need to find some excercise bikes
Next a date – so far we have settled on the 2nd October
