Nominations are open for the seventh annual First Women Awards, which aim to recognise pioneering women who have blazed a trail in all areas from business to the media and engineering to technology.

Created in 2005 by Real Business and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the awards have been presented to women who have broken new ground in many fields, including Diane Johnson who became the first woman to be appointed president of the Electrical Contractors' Association and Ruth Shaw, the first female CEO of the Sports Ground Safety Authority.

Katja Hall, chief policy director at the CBI, said: “It’s encouraging that the number of women in senior positions in UK companies has increased during the last year - The challenge now is to keep this momentum going.”

“The CBI is proud to support the First Women Awards which showcase the achievements of female leaders and create positive role models for other aspiring women.”

The closing date for entries is Friday, April 5 with the awards ceremony taking place at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square on Wednesday, June 12 hosted by broadcaster and sports presenter Clare Balding.

For information on how to enter the awards, visit fwa.realbusiness.co.uk Captions: Last year’s winners at the First Women Awards, in associated with Lloyd’s Banking Group.