Cheshire business women in final for Woman of the Year award

Codilia Gopare and Noor Kimit, who are both from Cheshire, join six other finalists for the Business Woman of the Year award, highlighting those who have made an outstanding contribution to their business, sector or wider community.

The winner will be announced at the 40th anniversary of the annual awards ceremony, taking place on Friday 1 April at Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The awards have been absent for two years following the Covid pandemic.

Codilia Gopare is the CEO of Nakawo Ltd, which she founded in 2015 while going through cancer treatment.After discovering the beauty industry did not offer products tailor-made for cancer patients, she created C-Lash - the first and only false eyelashes designed for cancer and alopecia patients.

Following its launch in 2019, C-Lash is now sold in nine countries and available in 90 NHS hospitals across the UK. Following her cancer treatment, Codilia graduated with a Masters in Business Administration in 2020.

Codilia Gopare said: "It’s a wonderful surprise to be shortlisted for this award and I’d like to thank Women of the Year for the nomination.

"I am so proud of C-Lash, which was born out of my own personal passion and experience, and it’s a real honour for the business to be recognised in this way.

"I look forward to celebrating the incredible achievements of my fellow finalists at this year’s awards."

Noor Kimit is the Owner of Seaworthy Consulting Ltd, which provides expert solutions for the maritime industry with a decade of experience in international maritime recruitment.

Specialising in the Offshore, Survey and Workboat market, the business’ database holds up to 85,000 seafarers internationally, serving clients worldwide.

A proud wife to a seafarer, Noor is an ambassador for Maritime UK. Diagnosed as dyslexic, Noor also supports The Prince’s Trust and has delivered a number of speeches about women in business and working with dyslexia.

Noor Kimit said: "I’m so delighted to be shortlisted for this award and I’d also like to thank Women of the Year for recognising my business in this way.

"I’m hugely passionate about supporting fellow women in business and it’s a wonderful surprise to be shortlisted alongside such impressive female leaders.

"I look forward to celebrating the incredible achievements of my fellow finalists at this year’s awards."

Dr Sharon Redrobe OBE, director of Women of the Year, said: "We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Business Woman of the Year award, one of our most prestigious accolades.

"Codilia and Noor join six fellow business women of huge talent, skill and determination - who are not only motivated by their personal goals, but also by championing and inspiring others - even in the midst of a global pandemic.

"By building up others we can all achieve great success and this year’s finalists are a wonderful testament to that."

The organisation began as the Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards in 1982 as a means to raise vital funds for charitable causes and to highlight and celebrate the many and varied achievements of women.

Over the last four decades, winners have included Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Katie Piper, Dame Asha Khemka DBE (Principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College) and British Paralympian, Martine Wright MBE.

Zalena Vandrewala, chair of the Awards, said: "After two years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and as we mark our 40th anniversary, this year’s awards ceremony will feel particularly special.

"We’d like to congratulate Codilia and Noor on their well-deserved shortlisting for this award and we wish all of our finalists the very best of luck on the night."

For 2022, the event will support The Prince’s Trust: Women Supporting Women Initiative, a passionate group of supporters who are committed to changing the lives of young women, and NHS Charities Together which continues to support our NHS in the life saving work that they do.

For tickets and more information, please visit: www.womenoftheyear.org.uk.