Jeanette Forbes, CEO of the PCL Group, has been recognised as the country’s best female mentor in the national Mentorsme Excellence in Woman’s Enterprise Mentoring 2014 Awards.
Jeanette picked up the Best Mentor Award for her work with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Business Mentoring Partnership at a gala ceremony in London, which recognised the contribution of more than 100 female entrepreneurs across the UK who are involved in mentoring programmes.
PCL Group provides a full range of IT, telecoms and computer services to the offshore, marine, commercial and industrial sectors.
Jeanette has been at the forefront of promoting and encouraging opportunities for women in the energy sector for a number of years. She has been a member of the Chamber’s business mentoring partnership for several years, providing one-to-one mentoring for women.
Jeanette, who was nominated for the award by one of the women she mentors, said she was delighted to receive the award.
“Business mentoring is about putting something back,” she said.
“In 2002, I obtained my own business mentor. Without him I would not be in business today. He makes me think outside the box and in a world which is rapidly changing economically we sometimes need someone with a different perspective to put us back on track and continue on our journey.”
Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, George Adam, said Jeanette was a fantastic role model for young women across all business areas.
“Jeanette is a great ambassador for the city and for the contribution which the energy sector makes to our economy.
“I’m delighted that she is being recognised for the work which she does on a voluntary basis to support and help other businesswomen in their careers,” he said.
The mentoring partnership is led by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network and is supported and partly funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and European funding.
Liz Cameron, director and chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “These awards are testament to the 8,500 businesses who have grown as a result of the voluntary businessmen and women across Scotland who have given their time freely and are willing to pass on their experience, expertise and connections.”