Karen Hester, Operations Director of Adnams plc, has received the prestigious East of England Business Woman of the Year Award. The Award was presented at the gala dinner ceremony, held at the Hilton Hotel in Stansted Airport on 7th February 2008.
Karen succeeded against some tough competition from other entrepreneurial women based in the East of England. Karen’s achievements meant that she was the judges’ unanimous choice.
As Operational Director Karen manages 100 employees at Adnams and is responsible for maintaining Adnams’ beer quality, from production right through to delivery.
Commenting on her Award, Hester says, Being able to assist, mentor, train and influence my staff to prepare them for moving up the ranks, is a key part of my role. This approach has meant that all of my managers have climbed up the Adnams ladder with me.
Karen first joined Adnams 20 years ago as an office cleaner. However, her background as a lorry and ambulance driver in the Army, quickly brought her to the attention of Andy Wood, now Managing Director of Adnams, who was the Head of Logistics for Adnams at the time. He saw that her expertise with the Logistical Corps was perfectly transferable to the brewery’s logistics division.
Commenting on Karen’s achievements, Andy Wood says, "Karen has worked her way up through Adnams’ transport division, from Transport Clerk, to Head of Logistics and Customer Services. In all her roles at Adnams, she has worked to her optimum ability, gaining knowledge and experience to equip herself for more senior positions within the company."
Aside from working in the transport and customer service departments, Karen has also played a significant role in the development of Adnams’ award-winning Distribution Centre in 2006. Karen project managed the eco-efficient distribution centre to time and budget, relocating the full infrastructure and all the stock and employees without any disruption to customer service, or to Adnams’ business as a whole - a project at which she excelled and now regards as the highlight of her career to date.
Wood continues, "Karen sets a wonderful example of how leadership can be forthright, effective and compassionate at the same time." Karen will now go through to the national Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year finals.