The WOTC Magazine New Faces Awards 2021 Celebrates Entrepreneurship, Female Leadership

Mary Nnah

The highly anticipated New Faces Awards ceremony was hosted at the Berkeley Hotel, Knightsbridge to celebrate its powerful community of female entrepreneurs and leaders.

The Awards serve as a marker of the magazine’s renewed commitment to cheerleading women and creating a platform for those behind the scenes, who are rarely heard, seen or celebrated.

In the words of Editor-in-Chief, Phadria Prendergast, the New Faces Awards are dedicated to the achievements of everyday women, and to honouring their positive contributions to community, whilst celebrating female leadership and recognising inspirational women with an established track record of success.

Guests at the Awards ceremony included some of the most influential names in UK culture and business space, including influencers from reality shows, Love Island, Towie, and Made in Chelsea, alongside British politicians and award-winning producers, film makers, fashion designers and renowned businessmen and women.

Guests included the Fagbenle brothers and producer Daps, who has worked with artists such as Naira Marley, Davido, Jay Z, Drake, Chris Brown, T Pain, Ms Banks to name a few.

Luti Fagbenle, the producer of Channel 4’s High Life featuring DJ Cuppy Otedola, was also in attendance, who has produced music videos for some of the greats such as Jay Z and Beyoncé. Actor Denola Grey and Actress of Bulletproof, Vanessa Vanderpuye, were also present at the event.

Other guests included BBC Africa new senior reporter Joice Etutu who also won the arising star award. Model Eunice Olumide, Amber Le Bon, Sharon Gaffka, Chloe Brockett, Jess Gale, Eve Gale, Francesca Allen, Tim Campbell MBE, the new co-host of The BBC Apprentice, Hayley McQueen, Broadcaster at Sky Sports, Victoria Baker-Harber, Radio Presenter Zoe Hardman, Radio Presenter, Sophie Stanbury, Laura Pradelska, Game of Thrones.

British Vogue’s former editor in chief, Alexandra Shulman and Trish Halpin, former editor in chief of Marie Claire came together alongside some female power players in the corporate space, for a panel titled ‘Sending the Ladder Down’, in an inspirational and heart-warming conversation, breaking apart the stereotypes of rivalry between women’s magazines.

The New Faces Awards desires to recognise the work of trailblazing powerhouses, whose tireless activism, campaigning and conviction continues to make the world a happier, safer and better place for women.

Categories and nominees of the awards include: Business of the Year, Woman of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Emerging Beauty Brand, Emerging Fashion Brand and Sustainable Brand of the Year. Others are Pre-Loved Brand of the Year, Beauty Product or Service of the Year, New Face of the Year, Agency of the Year, Community Leader of the Year, Achievement Award, Man of the Year, Creative of the Year, Rising Star Award, Game Changer Award and Icon Award.