Lesley Douglas, controller of BBC Radio 2, was named Woman of the Year in London last night at the 10th annual awards ceremony of that name. The event celebrates the achievements of women in the music industry and raises funds for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and the BRIT Trust. Douglas’ award was presented by Radio 2 presenter and television personality Mark Lamarr.
Chrysalis Music managing director Alison Donald won the outstanding contribution award; Chrysalis Group chairman Chris Wright presented her with the trophy.
Karen Williams, who heads her own television promotions agency, Big Sister, won the accolade award; Williams, who works with the Darkness, Travis and Franz Ferdinand, had her award presented by Darkness manager Sue Whitehouse. Simon Cowell presented the special achievement trophy to his personal assistant Nikki Watkins.
An industry audience of 500 included Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, who collected the Woman of the Year trophy she won in 2002 but was too ill to receive at the time.
