Phyllis Agnew, Senior Partner at Tughans has scooped the prestigious award for 2011 Best in Professional Services, sponsored by BMI, at the inaugural Women in Business NI Awards, sponsored by Deloitte.

Phyllis leads the real estate department at Tughans and has played a significant role in the development of the firm which is now one of the largest full service commercial law firms in Northern Ireland today,employing in excess of 110 staff including 62 lawyers, 23 of whom are partners.

Comedienne Ruby Wax flew into Belfast to entertain the guests at the event in her own inimitable style and Pamela Ballantine, herself a member of Women in Business NI, hosted the glittering awards ceremony which was held at the Ramada Belfast.

Roseann Kelly, CEO of Women in Business NI, praised Phyllis and all those who were honoured at the ceremony, saying:

My congratulations go to Phyllis and all of those who have won or been short-listed in the inaugural Women in Business NI Awards. The standard of the entries we received was outstanding.  Every category was hotly contested and all of those who were shortlisted can be very proud of what they have achieved.

Business women across Northern Ireland are demonstrating that they have the skills and determination to succeed in a challenging business environment and it has been a pleasure for Women in Business NI to have had the opportunity to recognise and reward those women who are leading the way in their chosen fields.