GILL Riley OBE, MD and owner of lifting specialist GGR Group, was named Woman of the Year at the everywoman Awards 2022.
The award recognises a successful career in plant hire, noting Gill’s success built around innovation and the introduction of a range of specialist lifting equipment into the UK construction sector.
Adopting an approach of sourcing equipment from overseas and working with manufacturers to make these products suitable for the demands of the UK market, Gill has also been directly involved in liaising with trade bodies to support these innovations with training and improved industry standards.
Gill was recognised with an OBE for services to construction in 2015 and the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: International Trade in 2016.
Announcing the award at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House hotel, Dame Mary Perkins, patron of the everywoman Awards, expressed the meaning of the accolade. “A unique recognition of one incredibly passionate and dedicated female business owner. The award honours someone that has achieved significant success as well as broken down barriers and overcome tremendous challenges, highlighting a great example to women and her community or industry.”
During the ceremony, the @everywomanUK official Twitter page stated “This special Award is set apart from the category Awards as it honours not just a businesswoman who has achieved significant success, but also one who has broken down barriers and overcome tremendous challenges. This Award seeks to highlight a woman entrepreneur who is not only a great role model to other women trying to start and grow their businesses, but who has also set an example as a successful businesswoman within her community or industry.”
In accepting her award, Gill said, “It’s been quite an emotional year. I’d like to thank my family, my mother and all my friends, the fabulous team who work in my company and the amazing women who are here today. I’m absolutely overwhelmed.”
