To celebrate International Women’s Day (today Friday 8 March) we’re recognising the remarkable contributions of women and businesses in Bexley.

The aim is to raise awareness of examples of equality, diversity and inclusion in our Borough and inspire others.

Earlier this year we asked residents to nominate their Woman of the Year and Organisation of the Year who have made exceptional contributions in Bexley towards gender equality and who have inspired inclusion.

The quality of the nominations received was impressive and after some deliberation by the judges the winner of the Women of the Year was awarded to Sue Petty, Executive Director for the Sidcup Business Partnership.

Some of the comments from those who nominated Sue include:

"Sue has worked volunteering in the borough for 25 years she is an amazing ambassador for her community"

"Sue has been a strong supporter of women's issues and has worked tirelessly to achieve equality. She tries to help everyone to make Sidcup a better place regardless of age, colour, sex or religion."

The winner of the Organisation of the Year, Playle & Partners LLP, a chartered surveyors based in Sidcup, received their award for being ‘an organisation passionate about women’s rights, careers and equality, who have worked hard to address gender inequality in business, particularly the construction industry’.

Councillor Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the Council, who surprised Sue Petty with the news of her win at an event to celebrate International Women's Day in Sidcup (8 March) said:

Celebrating International Women’s Day is one of the ways we want to make Bexley a fairer place to live, work and study. We hope to inspire future generations and foster a culture of inclusivity and equality.”

The awards were judged by Jattinder Rai, CEO at Bexley Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), Caron Linyard, Town Centre Manager at the Bexleyheath Business Improvement District and Patricia Narebor, Deputy Director Legal and Democratic Services London Borough of Bexley. They were sponsored by Retail Revival and South East Enterprise.

To learn more about the Council's commitment to equality and diversity, please visit equality and diversity in Bexley.