Q1. Why are you nominating this person?  What contribution(s) and achievement(s) qualify the nominee for this award? Was their contribution(s)/achievement(s) for their organization, business, or client?

Freemans and Grattan PLC has been undergoing a significant technology led business transformation that has been sponsored by Ann Steer. Ann has been instrumental in sponsoring and leading from the front. Given retail has been struggling in the recent years and margins continue to get squeezed companies had to strategically pivot to both survive and grow in this crowded market. Freemans and Grattan PLC have been no different and had to deal with many challenges including legacy technology estate, underfunding and lack of product centric mindset. All this has changed over the past years under Ann's leadership and she has brought in industry leaders including likes of Gary Ellwood as CIO from Pret to takeover and lead the Technology transformation.

Q2. What metrics, if any, coincide with this nomination (e.g., financial, business growth, or client satisfaction impact)?

The business led technology transformation is aimed at simplification, consolidation and move to an enterprise ready greenfield technology backbone that will provide business agility and reduce time to market. This transformation touches the end to end value chain from technology backbone, finance, HR, ecommerce and warehouse solutions. The funding for this programme was done through an innovative cost take-out sourcing arrangement with a leading technology service provider. Besides this Freemans continues to lead innovative products in the market under Ann's leadership, for example, Way to Save’ initiative was introduced in a bid to help customers who are “feeling the pinch”. This has meant that Freemans and Grattan PLC have seen an increase in revenue year on year and continue to grow as a business.

Q3. Please describe their influence. Is it internal via leadership roles, chairing groups, etc. or external via social media, speaking engagements, thought leadership, etc.?

Ann has been a hands on leader/ CEO. She was the chairperson for the executive steering board decision committee that reviewed and oversaw all the decision making that led to the business led technology transformation program and the many unique retail brand initiatives in the market place. She is a leader that empowers her team but is also able to quality review and ensure that the decisions are done through a robust yet objective approach.

Q4. What personal qualities have they demonstrated that would qualify them for this nomination (e.g., promotes collaboration, great communicator, supports other women, leads by example)?

Ann promotes collaboration - e.g., the steering/ board meetings are always open, objective and transparent. She is a great orator who is able to articulate the vision and the overall firms goals in a clear manner. More importantly she is able to command respect amongst the CXO who all come from diverse background. Freemans and Grattan PLC is on the one most diverse workforce and culture and is one of the many reasons why they continue to grow and strive in this challenging times.

Ann is an excellent leader, who leads from the front and does so in a collaborative and empowering leadership style. She has created an inclusive and diverse culture within Freemans and Grattan PLC that has helped them innovate and grow through this challenging times, especially in the retail space.

In which of the following years did the nominee demonstrate these qualities/achieve these results? Select all that apply.

2021, 2022, 2023