The co-founder of Specsavers has been has been recognised at the UK’s ‘First Women Awards’ in London on 23 June.
Dame Mary Perkins, who set up the Specsavers group in 1984 with her husband Doug, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Judges praised her “business acumen, ability to juggle family and professional commitments and her focus on giving to charitable organisations”, as well as her commitment to encouraging women to succeed at all levels in business.
Dame Mary wasn’t able to attend the awards herself as she now lives and works in Australia, but her daughter Julie who accepted the award on her behalf, said: “Mary has succeeded in a very male industry; she has been a pioneer, encouraging and enabling other women to become directors of their own business just like her, and ensured that women in the workplace have been given every opportunity to succeed.”
The awards were founded six years ago to celebrate British business women at the top of their game.
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