A WOMAN “trailblazer” who helps BAE teams to build nuclear powered submarines more efficiently has won a top national award.
Her job involves implementing more efficient ways of working on the third Astute-class submarine, the future HMS Artful.
Now she has landed a coveted CBI First Women Award in London.
She beat off impressive competition from a shortlist that included two company chief executives.
She got the prize in the manufacturing category for her work with the shipyard’s Women’s Network, and for her professional role on the Artful.
BAE says the Women’s Network was set up two years ago.
It helps women to achieve their ambitions and helps the company to understand the challenges facing its 350 female employees.
It is organised by a team of 11 members and is open to all women in Submarine Solutions of whatever grade, role, location and function.
Miss Murray said: “I am thrilled to have received this award. It came as a big surprise.
“It’s a great honour to have been chosen as the shortlist contained some very senior women who had achieved a lot.”
She rubbed shoulders at the ceremony with world famous fashion designer and French Connection co-founder Nicole Farhi, who was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Other winners included interior designer Kelly Hoppen, whose £18m business counts the Beckhams among its clientele, Jacky Wood OBE, chief executive of the British Show Jumping Association, and Julia Cleverdon, vice president of Business in the Community.
Finance executive Diana Brightmore-Armour, who presented the awards, said: “They are designed to celebrate women who have blazed a trail for others to follow, acting as inspirational role models for those wanting to make their mark as entrepreneurs and professionals.
“We congratulate all of the nominees and winners.”
Miss Murray was nominated for the award by Submarine Solutions’ operations director Haydn Clulow. Having made the shortlist she was then called to London for interview to explain the impact of her work on the Barrow shipyard.
The First Women Awards have Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown as patron.
