Swindon & Wiltshire News
Business stalwart and women’s rights champion honoured
A stalwart of the Swindon and Wiltshire business scene, and a longtime campaigner for women’s rights, has been honoured at the 10th International Global IAE & EuroStar Awards.
Nicky Alberry was awarded the Lansdowne Gold Star at the awards in recognition of her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and commitment to ending domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
For many years, Nicky – who chairs Swindon’s domestic abuse charity Society Without Abuse – has been a tireless campaigner for women’s rights and the creation of a society free from domestic abuse.
She was appointed the High Sheriff of Wiltshire for 2018/19 and she used that year-long role to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
Her passion, expertise, and dedication have made a lasting impact on countless lives across Wiltshire, the UK and beyond.
In addition to leading SWA to develop their support in education, the prevention and early intervention of domestic abuse in the South West, Nicky also has a national reach as Rotary GB&I’s National Lead on Domestic Abuse and through her ongoing work with the Wiltshire Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Coalition.
Following a 12 year career in banking, Nicky was appointed CEO of Great Western Enterprise – which later became part of Business West – in 1995. She held the position until 2008.
Nicky was also vice chairman of the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership from 2012 to 2016, chaired Swindon’s economic partnership, Influence, between 2011 and 2017, and led the board of Swindon-based IT provider Excalibur Communications from 2014 to 2017.
Held on Monday 10 November at The Gherkin, London, the IAE Awards celebrates outstanding leadership, service, and innovation across multiple sectors, and brings together leaders from the UK and internationally, including business pioneers, legal professionals, medical experts, philanthropists, and community champions.
The Lansdowne Gold Star for Empowering Women and Girls honours leadership within ending violence against women and girls, and acts as a call to others to follow, both across the nation and internationally.
“It was an honour to be nominated and to receive this award,” said Nicky.
“It is really testament to the dedication, expertise and hard work that every member of staff at SWA puts in each and every day.
“These are the people who are directly dealing with the pain and aftermath of domestic abuse; the ones who are supporting the women, men and children who have suffered and are helping them rebuild their lives and put an end to it happening again.
“Domestic abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls are national and global emergencies, and are also felt acutely in and across Wiltshire.
“We can make a difference, but only through working together and with a continued commitment to change to bring about a society where abuse no longer is tolerated.”
The award was presented by Lady Lansdowne, who praised Nicky’s work and commitment, saying: “Nicky’s dedication to empowering women and girls, and her determination to say ‘enough is enough’, embodies the very spirit of this award. Through her work and voice, she inspires change and builds bridges of understanding.”
Pictured: Dr Monica Devendran, president of the IAE & Euro Star Awards, Lady Lansdowne, Nicky Alberry, and Lord Jonathan Marland of Odstock
