The search is on for 100 Most Influential Women in hospitality

The guest speaker will be entrepreneur, Indian food expert and inspirational speaker, Pinky Lilani OBE. Nominations for the Top 100 listing will be open to all and can be entered via an online portal at www.people1st.co.uk/top100. The Top 100 listing is designed to celebrate the very best in female achievement in an industry where many women have struggled to reach positions of seniority. Women selected for the Top 100 list will also be entered into the judging for the 2011 Women 1st Awards which will recognise the key achievements of the industry's Top 100 most influential women. Pinky Lilani OBE said: "This industry needs an initiative like Women 1st to shatter the glass ceiling so ambitious women can aim high and reach their career aspirations. I believe that businesses are missing out by not being more open to the benefits to be gained from diversity. "Most women bring a unique approach, experience and management style to positions of seniority and therefore are able to make a tangible difference to an organisation. I feel privileged to launch the search for the Top 100 most influential women." Women 1st is the brainchild of People 1st, the sector skills council for the HLTT industry. Women 1st found that whilst females make up nearly 60% of the industry's workforce, only 6% make up senior board and director level positions.