THE managing director of a solicitors firm has been named a Woman of the Year Role Model in the 2015 Women in Business Awards.

Beverley Sunderland, of Crossland Employment Solicitors at Milton Park, near Didcot, received the accolade earlier this month.

The Women in Business awards aim to celebrate successful women across the South who have “ made a real difference in business over the past 12 months”.

Ms Sunderland won the Woman of the Year Role Model award in the small to medium enterprise (SME) category from businesses across the Thames Valley and Solent region with a turnover under £15m a year.

She was awarded the prize at a ceremony co-presented by rower Naomi Riches, who won a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics.

Judges said they were “particularly impressed by Beverley’s drive, her team building, client relationships, her inspiring nature towards women both inside and outside her business, and her proactive office guidelines, honesty and integrity and mentoring skills”.

Commenting on the award she said: “I’m thrilled to win a Woman of the Year Role model award, especially as I was nominated by one of my employees.

“As well as running a successful business, I always try to be a really supportive mentor to my staff and across many professional relationships.

“I’ve also never believed in a glass ceiling for women.”