Cheshire-based PR agency Zeus PR has been awarded the PR contract for the 41st Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards 2023 (WOTY), taking place on 13 October 2023 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, with the headline sponsor being Aldermore bank.

WOTY is a celebration of achievement which promotes positive female role models who provide inspiration across all areas of society and the business community.

This announcement follows the recent official launch at The House of Lords and the opening of the nomination window for the highly prestigious honour 'Business Woman of the Year 2023', which took place earlier this year at The House of Lords, with Sally Lindsay, WOTY President and highly established British actor and writer taking centre stage. 

WOTY was established in Nottingham in 1982 as a ladies' luncheon to raise monies for a charity called The Winged Fellowship Trust.

Over the years, the event has grown from being a regional ladies' luncheon to a national awards ceremony with a key focus on business. The event now plays host to around 600 guests and recognises the achievements of women in business and women that have strived to achieve the unthinkable in the most challenging of circumstances across the country.

WOTY director Emma Elston MBE says: "Myself and the WOTY Board have first-hand knowledge of Zeus PR and their firm commitment to delivering an excellent service. They presented the campaign proposal, and following this were selected as the obvious choice. We are now excited to see the opportunities and the visibility that the PR campaign will bring."

Anthea Fosti, MD at Zeus PR commented: "Having been honoured with the previous appointment as the WOTY PR partner for the 2019 awards event, we are thrilled to be supporting the WOTY board once again this year.

"The nominations have been coming in thick and fast, with so many highly impressive candidates coming through – an absolute delight for us as we have such incredible content to work with as the basis for our energetic media relations and influencer campaign."

UK Landscapes keep on the acquisition trail as it snaps up rival company

A fast-growing Cheshire landscaping business has expanded its presence in the South West with the acquisition of Wiltshire-based Cut N Clear.

UK Landscapes is based in Middlewich and maintains multiple sites nationwide for blue-chip clients. The deal will secure the jobs of Cut N Clear's current 12 staff. UK Landscapes was founded in 1997 by Andrew Preston and is now run by his son Leigh. It employs more than 200 staff throughout the country serving customers including, John Lewis Partnership, Aldi, and Lidl alongside Asda and Marks & Spencer

The company has developed its own bespoke software platform, which drives efficiency and provides real-time management information for clients.

The business received a significant investment from the Mercia private equity fund in 2021 with turnover now reaching £16 million and on course to exceed £20 million in the coming year.

Managing director, Leigh Preston, said: "The acquisition of CNC will strengthen our footprint in and around the South West and integrate us into the local housing sector. With Mercia's backing, we will continue our growth journey through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth whilst retaining our 'family business' ethos and continuing to directly employ 95% of our delivery team.

"We believe there is a real opportunity to disrupt the landscaping sector and create a sustainable and reliable operator offering consistently high levels of service. Our aim is to become the leading partner in the 'green services' sector."

Congleton housing provider hires new Head of Finance

Congleton-based Plus Dane Housing has announced Jessica McKinlay as its new director of finance.

Beginning her career at the NHS, Jessica then held senior positions at Merseyrail and Liverpool ACC before her previous role as head of finance at VIVO Defence Services.

Jessica McKinley, new director of finance at Plus Dane Housing (Plus Dane Housing

She said: "I am looking forward to joining the team at Plus Dane Housing and working for an organisation that is committed to delivering real social change in a region that I am passionate about."