By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The Operations Manager for Silcock Leisure Group in Southport has been honoured for her extensive business and community work at the 2024 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards.
Serena Silcock-Prince was among 20 women from across the Liverpool City Region who were celebrated for their achievements in a glittering ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Liverpool Waterfront.
She was recognised as a Finalist in the Business Leader Award category, sponsored by the Liverpool City Region Institute of Directors.
The Category was won by Carpenters Group joint owner Donna Scully, who also went on to collect the main award.
Serena said: “Wow what a day! Merseyside Women Of The Year Finalist and runner up! I’m on Cloud 9!
“I would like to say a huge thank you to my amazing and supportive family and friends!
“Congratulations to all the finalists, sponsors and organisers for a superb event.”
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024. Business Leader Award Finalist Serena Silcock-Prince
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
In their citation, the Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards organisers said: “Serena Silcock-Prince is the Operations Manager for Silcock Leisure Group, which employs around 80 employees at Silcock’s Funland, Silcock’s Carousel and Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant.
“The business has been a significant part of Southport’s tourism offer for generations, attracting countless visitors to the resort.
“Serena has also used her position in business to support her community, charities and individuals while upholding the Silcock family traditions.
“ Serena is a force of nature, compassionate, committed to improving the lives of people in her community and a true ambassador for women.”
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024. Business Leader Award Finalist Serena Silcock-Prince (centre) with parents Herbert and Liz
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Under Serena Silcock-Prince, Silcock Leisure Group in Southport has been the Headline Sponsor for the annual Queenscourt Santa Sprint in Southport for the past 13 years.
Participants of all ages and abilities arrive in their Santa suits (most red, some blue) and register at Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant.
They provide free hot tea and coffee for everyone taking part; and free rides of the historic Silcock’s Carousel!
Silcock Leisure Group is also a major sponsor for the annual Ainsdale Show, one of the oldest shows in the North West, which nearly disappeared in 2023 due to a lack of finances until Silcock’s and others stepped in to save it for the local community.
As part of its sponsorship, SLG is entitled to a stalk at the Show, which it has donated free of charge to local up and coming local artists.
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024. Business Leader Award Finalist Serena Silcock-Prince (fourth left) with Brenda Porter (left), Claire Brown (second left), Sharon Stock (third left) and Sarah McEntee (right)
Silcock Leisure Group has provided its new Balcony Bar area at the Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant for book signings, free of charge, for local artists and authors including Kayla Woodfine, Ruth Spillane and others.
The business supported the inaugural Jail and Bail fundraiser last year, which saw over £26,000 raised for Queenscourt Hospice.
A dozen local community figures were dressed in prison outfits, ‘tried’ for their crimes at the former Southport Magistrates Court’ ‘jailed’ at Southport Police Station and then set a series of ‘community service’ tasks around Southport as they battled to raise a minimum of £999 in ‘bail’ money, with every penny going to Queenscourt.
One of their most eye-catching challenges was riding on Silccok’s Carousel while eating a giant candyfloss (they weren’t allowed off until they’d finished).
Merseyside Women Of The Year 2024. Business Leader Award Finalist Serena Silcock-Prince (third left) with Claire Brown (left), Sharon Stock (second left) and Sarah McEntee (right)
Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
At the 2024 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards, a special Fellowship Award was presented to Ngunan Adamu, an accomplished BBC journalist, broadcaster, and social entrepreneur who has travelled across Africa and Asia, training journalists from Ethiopia to Bangladesh.
The awards were presented by actor Pauline Daniels, while guests enjoyed an on-stage Q&A session with Guest Speaker Laura Pye, the Director of National Museums Liverpool.
Merseyside Women of the Year Awards Founding Director Ellie Kerr said: “At MWOTY 2024, we applaud the entrepreneurs who build empires, the educators who ignite minds, artists who paint emotions and the leaders who shape the future.
“We celebrate the unsung heroines, the visionaries, the caregivers, the volunteers and the community builders who make our world a better place to live.”
The 2024 Merseyside Women Of The Year Awards finalist Serena Silcock-Prince, the Operations Manager at Silcock Leisure Group in Southport (left) with event sponsor Moira OShaugnessy, Managing Partner at Financial Planning Corporation in Southport (right)
Moira O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner, FPC, said:
“As the headline sponsor of MWOTY for the second consecutive year, we’re both proud and excited to be sharing the stories of another round of inspiring finalists, each as deserving as the last.
“MWOTY shines a spotlight on women who demonstrate a remarkable commitment to their communities, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.”
- For more details about the Merseyside Women of The Year Awards, please visit:
https://merseysidewomenoftheyear.co.uk/
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