Jackie Hyde, Managing Director at Stanmore Insurance Brokers Limited, has secured finalist status for the prestigious honour of ‘Business Woman of the Year’, at the highly-regarded Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards 2023.
Jackie is the sole owner of the multi-award-winning company, after taking over the ownership in 2001. She joined Stanmore 35 years ago as a Commercial Account Handler where her passion to provide a top-quality customer service has always been a key focus, enabling Jackie to progress through the company which has grown from having just four employees when she first started, to a team of 30.
The insurance broker firm has three key elements – insurance provision for commercial business, personal insurance for individuals that place their commercial business with Stanmore and dot2dot nursery insurance, a specialist brand for children’s day nurseries.
The creation of dot2dot nursery insurance, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year, is one of Jackie’s key achievements. In a highly competitive marketplace, dot2dot is seeing a year-on-year growth of 20% and currently insures nearly a quarter of the largest nursery chains in the sector. It insures around 3,500 clients who range from single sites to its largest group which has 170 settings and growing.
Having worked in a male-dominated industry for many years, where the barriers have and continue to be challenged, Jackie is a firm believer in the importance of diversity and equality both within the business and wider community. She currently mentors three young females who are striving to develop their careers. Having had four coaches during her career, Jackie recognises the remarkable difference that coaches and mentors have brought to her confidence and self-esteem. She understands that coaching and mentoring can be cost prohibitive, so offers her services for free for those that otherwise may not be able to afford.
Jackie is an Ambassador for Girls Out Loud, a social enterprise producing programmes to empower girls to channel their potential and make better life choices. Stanmore has funded positions for five staff members to mentor teenage girls with Girls Out Loud, and has also paid for five more women outside the organisation. Additionally, Jackie’s Ambassadorship for the WLA and She Inspires, alongside sponsoring their awards, is of utmost importance to her, helping to remove the barriers that Jackie herself has faced for many years.
In further recognition, Jackie has featured in two books. In 2019, on the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote, Gulnaz Brennan compiled a book of inspirational women and Jackie was featured in her research and interviews, then in March 2023 The 22 was published about 22 Leaders and Rising Stars from the Bolton Area.
Commenting on being shortlisted for the Business Woman of the Year Award Jackie said “Awards are so important as they give you the opportunity to reflect on what you have achieved. Being a WOTY finalist is a major highlight in my career and I’m delighted to be amongst such talented women.”
Taking place on Friday 13th October 2023 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Women of the Year Luncheon & Awards, is a celebration of achievement which promotes positive female role models who provide inspiration across all areas of society and the business community.
To find out more about the prestigious event or to book tickets, visit the website: www.womenoftheyear.org.uk/