A global judging panel of 23 gambling industry experts has chosen Rank Group employee Kerry Dawes as Inspiration of the Year at the 10th anniversary Women in Gaming Diversity Awards.

Rank

The award category was open to all women working within the igaming industry, with entrants being judged on their proven ability to lead in a positive environment and help to inspire the team to success.

Entries were judged on the nominee’s ability to meet the criteria and go above and beyond their role to inspire the female workforce around them, with Dawes, Rank’s director of digital customer experience, and four key contenders shortlisted for the award. The award was presented to Dawes at a recent ceremony in London.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud to have won Inspiration of the year at the Women in Gaming Awards. I’m so grateful to Darren Moffett for taking a punt on me and for leadership opportunities and mentorship that he has given me.

“I’m thankful to the people that had doubt or negativity because they spurred me on, but mostly I’m so thankful for my amazing team who bought into my vision and came along on the journey with me - you’re all inspirational. Women are incredible and we’re in control of our own destinies.”

Darren Moffett, marketing director at Rank Group, said: “The awards are given to the very best the industry has seen this year and that is most definitely Kerry. She has risen through the corporate ladder at Rank and is an inspirational leader that brings a real strong sense of empowerment to younger women looking to make the same journey in gambling.

“She is a leader in educating the importance of gender equality in the workplace and her approach to team, stakeholders and her overall business performance brings a clear diversity DNA in everything she does. I feel more inspired each day I spend supporting her career and watching her deliver outstanding business performance.”