Longbow Venues celebrates two exceptional women with 2025 awards shortlisting
We believe a business is nothing without its people. Watching our team grow, develop and lead is something we take huge pride in. When the hard work and achievements are externally recognised, that is the icing on the cake.
This week, we’re celebrating two of our outstanding team members, Katie Angrave and Victoria Cone, who have both been shortlisted in the 2025 Enterprising Women Awards.
Hosted by the East Midlands Chamber, these awards spotlight and celebrate the achievements of inspiring women in business across the region. This marks our second consecutive year with multiple team members recognised. Another double award shortlisting in 2025 speaks volumes about the strength of our culture and values that guide us every day.
From vision to venue: Katie’s impact at The Maynard
Since joining The Maynard in late 2023 as Wedding and Events Manager, Katie Angrave has completely transformed not just how events are delivered, but how they’re experienced. Her impact goes beyond the numbers, though those are very impressive with a 27% increase in wedding spend, conference bookings doubled and a calendar filled with new events.
Katie brings calm, clarity and creativity to a role that’s fast paced and deeply personal. She’s helped The Maynard continue its award-winning legacy and elevate it to new heights while making every guest feel seen and supported.
All this, while working four days a week and raising a young family.
Katie said: “To be shortlisted is such a lovely surprise. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built at The Maynard. It shows you can lead with empathy and impact, even working part time and balancing family life. Longbow’s values give me the space to create real change and support a talented team.”
Katie has deservedly been shortlisted for Female Employee of the Year.
From Admin to Director: Victoria’s journey of strategic growth
Victoria Cone joined Longbow in 2023 in an administrative role following a successful career in the corporate world. In just two years she has risen to Director, a deserved leap that reflects not only her capability, but her clarity of thought, resilience and value-led leadership.
Today, Vic leads on compliance, technology, legal affairs, interior design and property development across our venues. Her calm, strategic direction has been instrumental in steering Longbows rapid growth to quadruple in size over the past 12 months. All while ensuring we remain structured, sustainable and true to our people-first values.
Vic shared: “I’m honoured to be recognised in this way. I’ve always believed leadership is about clarity and connection, not volume or hierarchy. These past two years at Longbow have been the most rewarding of my career. I thrive in a business that feels aligned with my values and places people at its core.”
Victoria is a finalist in the Developing Leader category, and a role model for those carving their own leadership path.
A culture that champions people
Our values are incredibly important to us at Longbow. Not as a cliché, but as a blueprint for success. We’re committed to building spaces, careers and experiences that are fulfilling, progressive and future focused.
This double shortlisting is a proud moment, but even more than that, it reflects what’s possible when talented people are trusted, supported and given room to grow.
Rob Hattersley, Founder and Managing Director of Longbow Venues added: “We are immensely proud of Katie and Vic. Their contributions embody everything we stand for at Longbow – commercial rigour paired with warmth, strategic leadership delivered with calm and deeply held values driving everyday decisions. These shortlistings are richly deserved.”
About the awards
The 2025 Enterprising Women Awards, hosted by East Midlands Chamber, will take place on Friday 26th September at Winstanley House in Leicester.
We’ll be there cheering on Katie and Vic, celebrating not just the awards but the everyday wins that define what Longbow Venues is.
