Judges
 Patrick Clarke Patrick has risen from an Apprentice to the Executive team of UK Power Networks (formerly EDF Energy).As Operations Director he reports to the CEO and has day to day responsibility for managing the distribution of electricity to 8 million customers in East Anglia, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey (part), Sussex and London. This impacts about 25% of the UK population.Patrick has undertaken a number of significant engineering and commercial roles including overall responsibility for the design and build of the power distribution network on the Olympic Park.Patrick is also a qualified HR practitioner and was formerly the HR & Communications Director in EDF Energy. However, his quest to personally develop has seen him move from being an Engineer professional, to HR professional, to senior executive leadership roles. He is responsible for about £600m of spend on engineering project each year and directly employs 3000 people plus 2000 contractor. Patrick has placed a strong emphasis on community investment over the last 30 years. In 2005 he co-authored “Made in Britain” a book majoring on inspirational role models from British BAME communities (almost 10,000 copies sold). In 2008 he was Prince Charles’s ambassador for London (for leadership and diversity) |
Vanessa Vallely Vanessa is a recognized expert in person-to-person business networking, online branding and a sought after motivational speaker. She is regarded as one of the most well networked women in and out of the City and is passionate about sharing her know-how and experiences with others. In 2008, Vanessa started the networking site: www.wearethecity.com, as a vehicle to help other City Women connect. Today, WATC has become the Little Black Book for London’s female workforce. Its’ 7000+ members rely on WATC for information ranging from professional to personal; to connect with others or to access interests that are centric to working in the City. Vanessa has worked tirelessly to furthering the Diversity Agenda. To this end, Women in Banking & Finance (WiBF), recognized her achievements with the ‘2011 Women’s Champion Award’. In 2009, Vanessa co-founded the citywide diversity forum, The Networks of Networks (TNON). The TNON includes the Diversity heads and heads of women’s networks from 40 FTSE firms. Corporations, charities & radio broadcasters invite Vanessa to speak on “The Power of Networking” and “The Power of Profile” as well as her 23 years of experience in the City and Financial services. As her speaking demands have grown, so have the requests for her expertise in online branding. In response to these requests, Vanessa launched www.theProfileCoach.co.uk, a consulting firm, working with a range of starting-out to seasoned professionals, providing the know how to build, protect and above all use one’s online profile to aid in future success. As testimony to the success of the knowledge she shares with others, Vanessa is on every watch list following top women in the City, such as: Financial News Top 100 Rising Star across Europe, Africa and EMEA, and the International Alliance for Women’s Top 100 who are making a notable difference. Vanessa is committed to community work, serving as a trustee for The National Youth Music Theatre as well as an ambassador for several others. She is also the Pearly Queen of the City of London, which represents a fundamental aspect of London’s heritage. |