Ramos honoured at awards ceremony in London

Absa group chief executive Maria Ramos has been recognised as the Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year at the African Business Awards 2009, the banking group said on Tuesday.

The awards took place in London on Monday evening, Absa said in a statement.

The awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the G8 Africa Business Forum currently under way in London, and prior to the G8 Heads of State meeting to be held in the city of L’Aquila, Italy, later this week, the statement added.

Organised by the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC) and African Business magazine, the African Business Awards highlighted the achievements Africa was making in the world of business, Absa said.

“Over the last decade, Africa’s rapid economic growth has propelled the continent centre-stage in the world of business and investment,” said Omar Ben Yedder, associate publisher of African Business.

“It is the hardworking individuals behind leading African companies who have carried out this substantial transformation, and the African Business Awards highlight their outstanding achievement to Africa and the world at large,” Ben Yedder added.

Absa group chairperson Gill Marcus described Ramos as an inspiration and a role model.

“We are confident that she will not only continue to inspire women to achieve their full potential, but also motivate each of us to achieve the levels of dedication and professionalism that our millions of clients, and all our stakeholders, expect of us,” Marcus said.—Sapa