Welsh ICE boss wins three honours at national awards ceremony

The CEO of a Caerphilly-based business start-up hub has scooped three honours at a national award ceremony.

Lesley Williams, of Welsh ICE, was recognised at the Mastering Diversity Awards, which were held in the Senedd on November 18.

Ms Williams, who has been CEO at Welsh ICE since 2023, won the gold award in the Diversity in Business Champion category, and a silver award in the Gender Equality Champion category – an award she won bronze in last year.

She also won the Meritorious Impact Award in the Community Champion category, and was recognised as a finalist in the Cognitive and Neurodiversity Champion category.

Meanwhile, Sharon Pascoe, headteacher at Fochriw Primary School, won silver in the education category.

The awards ceremony celebrated those who have championed inclusive communities and workplaces in Wales, and was sponsored by former First Minister Vaughan Gething.

Reflecting on her award wins, Ms Williams said: “To be recognised in four categories and take home three awards, especially advancing to silver for Gender Equality, is a profound honour.

“These awards belong to our entire community and values-led team. This recognition fuels our mission to go deeper into communities, supporting more underrepresented entrepreneurs to change their lives and build a fairer future for all.

“We are proving that targeted investment in inclusion delivers strong economic results.”