Zara Janjua to host the in-Cumbria Business Awards

Presenter and broadcaster Zara Janjua will take the stage to welcome attendees to the awards when they take place at Dalston Hall on November 29.

This year’s awards will offer a fresh atmosphere and new entertainment for guests, including an after-show party featuring a DJ, sax player and casino following the awards ceremony.

The awards categories have been refreshed as well, with the category of Best Marketeer widened to include marketing teams, rather than individuals.

Nominees will also be vying to win two new categories; Best Green Business and Best Diversity and Inclusion Business.

This is in addition to 10 existing categories and the highly-prized Robin Burgess Lifetime Contribution to Cumbria award.

Headline sponsor for the awards is NRL and category sponsors are BAE Systems, The Cumberland, David Allen, Cartmell Shepherd, Rachael Bell Wealth Management, Lamont Pridmore, React Engineering, University of Cumbria and 32 West.

As an award-winning presenter and broadcaster host Zara’s career has spanned everything from journalism to stand-up comedy and she has worked in a wide range of TV, film, and radio.

A writer, producer and filmmaker, she has worked on ITV’s This Morning, sits on the ethnicity advisory council for NatWest Bank, played a journalist in ITV’s Karren Pirrie and films humanitarian documentaries all over the world, including presenting programmes from Guatemala to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Zara also has a strong connection to Cumbria, having come to the Lake District every year for the last decade to host and commentate at The Great North Swim.

“It was my first introduction to wild swimming and as a result, I have travelled the world dunking myself into rivers and lakes no matter the weather,” she says.

“My most recent cold dip took place in the Arctic Circle on a 10-day expedition with huskies, and I have Cumbria to thank for it.

"When I was training for Kilimanjaro in 2022 I spent time hiking the fells and staying in some beautiful campsites around Pillar, Scafell Pike and Skiddaw.

"I love being out in nature, it's in my Scottish blood. When I see a hill, I have to climb it and if there's a body of water, I'm diving in.”

Zara Janjua has a strong connection to Cumbria (Image: Supplied)

Zara says this year’s new award for diversity and inclusion is particularly close to her heart - as is the prospect of an after party.

“I've been sitting on the Ethnicity Advisory Council at NatWest for three years, advising the company on strategy and policy to ensure a better workplace for their employees and experience for customers.

“Businesses that embrace DE&I outperform those that don't but there's not just a business argument for it, it just feels good to do the right thing.

"I'm also a big fan of letting my hair down, so the after-show party, DJ and casino are right up my street.

"It's so important to celebrate talent and success, particularly in business and industry where many of us struggle to take time out to appreciate what we have achieved.

"My father was a business owner, so I grew up seeing first hand the sacrifices he made to ensure his company was a success.

"I studied business management in university, with the goal of working alongside him to help support him and his goals and now I work for myself.

"I am looking forward to meeting people who are excelling in their field and hearing their stories and tips for success.

"I work alongside Baroness Karen Brady at her flagship event for women in business in London and always enjoy meeting the audience and hearing about their dreams and passions.

"There's something very exciting about the spark of passion and attitude to lifelong learning, it's infectious.”

Zara wished good luck to all the nominees for the awards, adding: “I aim to be warm, friendly, fun and inclusive.

"It's a big responsibility to be your host for the night and I want to make sure you all feel welcome and seen.

“When I'm hosting I feel like I have invited you all round to my house but instead of running around getting you drinks and making sure you're fed, I'm there to entertain and make it all run smoothly.”

in-Cumbria associate editor Sue Riley says she is looking forward to the new look awards.

“There is always something new to enjoy at the in-Cumbria Business Awards each year, which is one of the things which makes it such an exciting event for all the team who work on the magazine,” she says.

“However, this year promises to have more surprises than ever, as well as the usual opportunity to enjoy great food and drink, network, meet new people and greet old friends.

“We have been blown away by the quality of the nominations so far and, as usual, picking a winner is going to give all our judges a headache.

“It will be thrilling to see the winners revealed on the night and I, for one, cannot wait to see you all there.”