nominees 2024
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Head of Impact & Growth, UN Global Compact Network the UK 
Candy joined the UN Global Compact Network UK in 2019 to drive members’ engagement and external outreach supporting corporates to adhere and engage with the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals. In this role, she works closely with the Executive Director in developing and leading the organizational impact and growth strategy. Her main achievements in this role include driving a 40% growth rate year-on-year while implementing key processes and programmes to ensure that the organisation operates successfully in pursuit of its strategic aims.Â
In her early career, she worked at the Spanish Social Centre for Business and Entrepreneurship Advice in Valencia, the French National Employment Office in Limoges, the European Commission in Brussels, where she helped NGOs attain European funding, and at Ethical Corporation (Thomson Reuters now) as head of strategy for the European market. Candy has extensive professional experience in International Relations, project management, and implementation of innovative ideas and corporate sustainability programmes. She has experience working in Spain, France, Belgium, and England and has a repertoire of six languages: Spanish, French, English, Catalan, Aramaic, and Arabic.
Candy has a Bachelor’s degree in Economy and Tourism from the University of Valencia, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Working Conditions from the University of Castellon and an MSc in Corporate Law, and an MSc in Organizational Psychology from the University of Valencia and Castellon respectively.Â
Distribution Director – UK, Westfield Health
In my current role, I hold responsibility for all B2B sales channels, our sales support functions, and a subsidiary business unit. Prior to joining Westfield Health, I developed my leadership career through leading varying business functions across differing industries, and I have enjoyed living and working in many parts of the UK, mainland Europe, and in North America. Â
As a Founding Fellow of the Institute of Sales Professionals, I am a keen advocate of ethical selling, professional standards within sales, and a culture of self-directed CIPD. Â
Outside of work, I have some volunteering commitments and count rugby, running and cooking, as my main pastimes.  Â
Head - Americas, TheCityUK
David Bendor is Head, Americas at TheCityUK, and works closely with Chambers in the UK and internationally. David joined TheCityUK from Lloyd’s of London in 2023, where he was Senior Global Strategist.
Prior to that he worked at the Foreign Office for 20 years in a variety of posts and positions.
Commercial Account Manager, The AA
Esther Jones is a seasoned professional with an impressive 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. She joined the AA in 1991 and has dedicated her career to working exclusively to supporting small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Business Services. Â
Starting her career as an administrator, Esther’s passion and dedication propelled her into more significant roles which have given her extensive knowledge in the industry. Her experience spans sales, leading high-performing teams, handling complaints and partnerships.Â
As the Business Manager for Key Accounts, Esther oversees and nurtures a portfolio of key accounts within the SME sector and Charge Post Operator (CPO) market for electric vehicles. She also manages the B2B partner relationship, offering award-winning breakdown cover for SMEs. Her commitment to ensuring a high level of service and customer satisfaction is unparalleled.Â
Known for her love of meeting new people, Esther often represents the AA at automotive trade events. She is always eager to hear about the latest innovations and the future of the industry, making her a valuable asset to both the AA and the broader automotive community.Â
Commercial Director, Community Homes Ltd.
Ailsa has over 15 years experience in the energy industry.
Ailsa is Commercial Director at Community Home Solutions Ltd; a start-up created in 2021 with the goal of bridging the gap between fuel poverty and net zero through domestic retrofit solutions.
Community Home Solutions work with local Net Zero Hubs in England to disburse grant funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to improve the energy efficiency of some of the worst performing homes in England through the installation of retrofitted energy efficiency measures; reducing carbon emissions and household energy bills. Since establishment, CHS have managed the delivery of retrofit solutions to over 6,500 homes.
Prior to joining Community Home Solutions, Ailsa had a 13-year career at E.ON Energy Solutions.
Assistant Director in the Healthy Lives team, The Health Foundation
David joined the Health Foundation in May 2018 and currently leads a programme of work developing policy and analysis related to the wider determinants of health. His work focuses the role that social and economic policy and business can play in improving health, and understanding the influence that health has on social and economic outcomes of people and places.Â
Previously David worked for the Resolution Foundation as a Senior Fellow working on a range of issues including tax and benefit policy with a focus on Universal Credit, calculating the Living Wage, demographics, pensions and pay progression.Â
Prior to this, he worked as an Economic Adviser at the Department for Work and Pensions on areas including childcare and state pensions. David studied Economics at the University of Sussex.Â