Managing Director Catherine Thomas makes Women of the Future shortlist

Securing her place among the foremost female professionals of the moment – and indeed the future – Vardags Managing Director, Catherine Thomas, has been shortlisted for another accolade: in the Professional category at the Women of the Future Awards.

These prestigious awards, which operate in association with Shell, are now in their ninth year. They aim to honour the women under the age of 35 who are making waves in a wide range of professions, from business, science, technology and digital to arts and culture, media and entrepreneurship. Catherine’s ‘Professional’ category sees her keep company with successful young women from diverse fields including medicine and accountancy.

The awards act as a springboard for further initiatives, such as the ‘Women of the Future Ambassadors Programme’, which is designed to inspire future female leaders by helping each year’s shortlisted nominees become role models for the next generation of talent. Nominees are invited to visit schools and connect with sixth formers through public speaking and networking events. This auspicious programme is the brainchild of entrepreneur and motivational speaker Pinky Lilani OBE, who also co-founded the Asian Women of Achievement Awards.

For Catherine Thomas, the next stage of the selection process for Women of the Future will see her meet with the judging panel to discuss her achievements and expertise, with the final decision being made at the awards ceremony on 28th October.

The judging panel itself is full of luminaries including MPs Diane Abbot and Richard Ottaway, Thomson Reuters Managing Director for Europe North, Stephen Boyes and J.P. Morgan Managing Director Sally Dewar, with the Chair being Air Marshal Sir David Walker KCVO OBE, who is a senior advisor at HSBC.