Sandie Dawe, strategy and communications Director at VisitBritain, the organisation responsible for promoting Britain abroad and England to the British, has won the first SHINE award for Public Sector Woman of the Year. The award was presented at a ceremony in London on Thursday 10 February.

Judged by a panel of influential industry figures from over 100 nominations, the SHINE Awards were set up to recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of women in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. According to SHINE, a company providing coaching and mentoring services, women account for 60% of the workforce in these sectors.

The Public Sector Woman of the Year awards women who have achieved success in executive or non-executive roles in government, agencies, trade associations, not-for-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations. Among Sandie’s many achievements, judges highlighted her leadership of crisis response operation in relation to all travel, tourism and hospitality stakeholders and the media during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, 9/11, the Iraq War and SARS outbreak. The unprecedented time and dedication Sandie has given in staff support and development was also noted.

Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain said:

“I am delighted that the professionalism and skill Sandie has shown in her role as strategy and communications director at VisitBritain has been honoured by this award. Her achievement is demonstrative of both her outstanding contribution to tourism and commitment to VisitBritain.”
Sandie Dawe, strategy and communications director said:

“I have been fortunate to pursue my career in broadcasting, publishing and tourism, all sectors which provide excellent opportunities for women to flourish. Tourism as a relatively ‘new’ industry, has no barriers to entry, and as one of Britain’s major growth sectors it offers great scope for women to demonstrate their creativity and business acumen to women in both the private and public sectors.”

The awards are sponsored by KPMG and organised under the patronage of the Tourism Society and Travel Trade Gazette in a bid to encourage women to further their careers in the industry.