Woman of the Year (SME)
As well as establishing and growing Clarify, Edmunds has managed to raise a family of three sons and a daughter. She also found time to establish the Clarify Foundation, raising funds for building and education projects in Uganda. In modern life “Challenge is the norm“, says Edmunds.
Interviewed after accepting her award, Claire Edmunds spoke about work-life balance and flexible working: “I have a great team, not just at work but home as well, and that makes a huge difference to me. We juggle a lot, balance things out and try not to forget too many things.
“We employ flexible working practices. Today it’s so different to even a few years ago in the way you can introduce flexible working for women – and men. It is just as important for men to support their children at their sports day, or go on a rugby tour, or work from home one afternoon so they can look after the children that evening.
Claire Edmunds collecting her award from Kath Shimmin, of awards sponsor Blake Morgan, and Dame Stephanie Shirley
An award open to women in senior positions of small and medium- sized enterprises with under £10 million turnover – women who have achieved significant results and excellence in their field
Judging was led by Blake Morgan, so Blake Morgan partner Kath Shimmin presented the award to:
WINNER: Claire Edmunds of Clarify.
When Claire Edmunds took time off to have a baby, she also conceived a whole new company.
She identified a gap in the market and in 2003 founded Clarify, a business development specialist in the enterprise technology sector.
The company now employs over 50 full-time, permanent staff and sales for 2014 are forecast to exceed £4 million.
Clarify operates as a strategic part of its client’s sales process, reducing the cost of winning business by 30%. Industry analyst’s Sirius Decisions, states a close rate of 1:20 is excellent; Clarify exceeds this figure, closing 1:5 sales opportunities. In the past financial year, Clarify delivered €76m of closed business for one global client, and for a high-growth start-up sourced its top three largest EMEA deals.
“People don’t need to be in the office to work any more. They can keep in touch, communicate and take on work in various ways. We are very fortunate to be in the time we are in.“
Edmunds has created a vibrant enthusiastic team within Clarify, but is recruitment difficult?
“Actually, what helps bring people into our organisation is our culture – the focus we put on treating people as individuals, looking to bring the best out of them. That’s what people want in work: to feel fulfilled, to make a contribution towards a goal that gives them a purpose.“
Edmunds said the secret of Clarify’s success was adaptability, taking the rough with the smooth, “staying true to our values and mission, powering through, and holding our nerve.
“This award means a great deal. It’s lovely for all the hard work to be recognised, particularly in an environment like this tonight with so many amazing people. So, to be called up here and be told you have done well is great for me, my team, all the women in our business, and the men too.“
The other category finalists were: Lauren Atkins, The Malins Group Lisa Hammond, Centrix Software Karen Jacques, Dryad Marine Susan Robertson, Velocys
Finalists received commemorative Women in Business Award certificates from Dame Stephanie Shirley. Their career profiles can be viewed by downloading the Women in Business 2014 event programme pdf at:
www.businessmag.co.uk
Finalists from second left, Lisa Hammond, Susan Robertson, Lauren Atkins, Karen Murray (for Karen Jacques) with Nadine Dereza and Dame Stephanie Shirley
www.businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – OCTOBER 2014
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60