But showcase event postponed until 2021.
The Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards has announced British actress Sally Lindsay as its new President, with this year’s event being postponed until October 2021.
The annual awards, which celebrate the achievements of inspirational and exceptional women across the UK, was scheduled to take place on Friday 16 October 2020 at Hilton Birmingham Metropole, welcoming over 600 professionals from the private and public sectors.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the organisers of the event have made the difficult decision to reschedule this year’s 
Sally Lindsay first appeared on stage at the Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards in 2018 to present an award to the women of the Suffragette movement, and returned the following year as its keynote speaker. Committed to inspiring, celebrating and promoting female role models across all areas of society and the business community, Sally will help the awards continue to celebrate the achievements of women across the UK.
She commented: “For the past two years, I have been lucky enough to be involved with and attend the Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards, each time being in awe by incredible women around me.
“The awards provide an inspirational atmosphere celebrating the successes of women in business and women that have strived to achieve the unthinkable in the most challenging of circumstances across the country. I am extremely proud to be the new President of the awards, and look forward to celebrating the achievements of inspirational and exceptional women next year!”
Emma Elston, Director of the Women of the Year Awards, said: “It is with a heavy heart that for the first time in our 38-year history, we have to announce the postponement of our annual awards until October 2021. The safety of our guests, speakers, sponsors and colleagues is our number one priority.
“We’ve not lost sight of the extraordinary achievements that have occurred by so many women in the past year, and therefore will be carrying forward all nominations received this year, as well as leaving our nominations open until June 2021.
“Collectively, we remain strong in adversity and united by our decision to focus on the future, and we’re so excited to celebrate all of the diverse and talented role models in our community with our new President Sally Lindsay in October 2021!”
The Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards has two exclusive categories open for applications, Business Woman of the Year and Woman with Edge which is sponsored by Freeths LLP. Colleagues, family and friends can nominate entrepreneurs or business leaders from across the private and public sectors, or applicants can simply nominate themselves. An additional award for Woman of Achievement is presented to an individual or group of women from across the country who have strived to achieve the remarkable, often for the benefit of others and in some cases against the odds.
To nominate or submit an application, please visit here. Tickets to the Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards 2021 can be purchased here.