Today Kelly Ivison, director of Bury based business Exchange Utility, has beaten an all-time high number of entrants to become a finalist to win the accolade of Business Woman of the Year 2017 in the Made in Bury Business Awards.

Making it through two tough rounds, the nominated individuals have now been whittled down to just three finalists. The winner will be revealed at the Made in Bury Business Awards on the 23^rd November this coming month.

Exchange Utility has grown to become the second largest business energy consultancy in the UK in just four short years and as a company has also been nominated for two awards within Customer Service and Large Business categories at the Bury Business Awards.

Earlier this year Exchange Utility also won an award for ‘Best High Growth Business of the Year’ at the E3 Business Awards at Bolton Macron Stadium and in 2016 picked up awards for Excellence in Developing People and Employer of the Year.

Lyndsay Englander, Senior Retentions Account Manager at Exchange Utility, said of Kelly, ‘Not only is she a fabulous lady in every manner, Kelly is the most supportive and understanding. Kelly takes time out of her day to ensure her staff are all ok and is always there for support. I would not change Kelly for the world and she has built an amazing empire which is going from strength to strength.’

Kelly Ivison has been a key part of Exchange Utility’s growth since its conception in 2013 and is flourishing in her role. Kelly has without doubt made waves in a highly male dominated industry as shown by her recognition by The Energy Live Consultancy Awards in 2016 where she won the Business Person of the Year Award in London. This was a massive achievement for both Kelly personally but also to Exchange Utility as a business, publicly showing their support to female leaders and their dedication to diluting the gender divide in the industry.

Ivison is described as the “life-blood” of the company by many within Exchange Utility and the unwavering support from her colleagues make it clear that she is full deserving of her finalist position in the Made in Bury Business AwardsBusiness Woman of the Year category.

Shad Shami, Head of Learning & Development at Exchange Utility, told us ‘Kelly is one of the few leaders I have met in my career that demonstrates emotional intelligence. She cares about her people and is passionate in her drive and determination to deliver business but also personal success for all. We are all fully behind her and are really rooting for her to win this award. She deserves it. Good luck Kelly!’