Ioana Dobre, Business Development Manager at Eville & Jones, has picked up a prestigious award in recognition of her outstanding achievements as a female business leader in the exports industry.

Surrounded by other industry leaders who make vitally important contributions to the meat sector, Ioana was proud and privileged to be named as the winner in the Industry Supplier category at the Women In Meat Industry Awards, hosted at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Friday, November 17th.

Ioana was described as a highly valued team member who provides “excellent technical support” to the industry and is a champion for helping exporters distribute their products around the world.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, she said: “In a ballroom filled with a wealth of female talent in the meat industry, I got to see my dream come true.

“For years I had been attending these awards and thinking ‘one day, it’s going to be me’ – and lo and behold this year it was my turn to get recognised. The awards is an event that continues to challenge industry stereotypes and conventional ideas about employment, and I’m honoured to be the recipient of the Industry Supplier award.”

After graduating in Public Health and Animal Welfare from the University of Bucharest, Romania, in 2013, Ioana started her career in veterinary medicine before moving to the UK. She first joined Eville & Jones as one of our Official Veterinarians over five years ago, and has since progressed through various roles to become an expert in exports.

Ioana added: “It’s true what they say; ‘behind every successful woman is a tribe of successful women who have her back’ and my award wouldn’t have been possible without my tribe of ladies at Eville & Jones – I share this award with every single one of you.

“But most importantly I need to recognise and thank my three greatest allies: Our Chief Executive, Charles Hartwell, for teaching me to have vision; Duncan Garfield, a line manager like no other who always supports my ideas, and Georgios Kakarantzas, my mentor and partner. Thank you for promoting me, and encouraging and approving my work.”