Westpac Fiji General Manager, Brett Hooker praised the success women are creating in leadership roles.

“Women are fast taking up executive positions in all levels of society,” Mr Hooker said during the Women In Business awards night at the Grand Pacific Hotel on Saturday.

Westpac Fiji is the major sponsor for the Women In Business event and has been for the past  two years.

“It is great to see women ministers, lawyers, accountants, bankers, doctors in these fields that are usually dominated by men,” he said.

Mr Hooker said the awards night recognised the contribution women made to the social and economic well being of Fiji.

“Westpac is extremely proud to be the major sponsor for these awards. At Westpac Fiji, we now have 55 per cent of our leadership roles held by women,” he added.

In recognising the successful stories of women in the private and public sectors in Fiji, WIB president Nur Bano Ali said the awards night was a celebration of all women in various businesses in Fiji.

“We received 200 applications this year. For the Employer of Choice category, there were 50 applications compared with 10 applications last year,” Ms Ali said during the event.

Guest speaker Rosemary Vilgan told those who were present to always strive for success and aim for better.

Ms Vilgan has been one of Australia’s top chief executive officers and a multiple award winner, including Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year.

“Look for an area of growth in your career and that will help you achieve more,” Ms Vilgan said.

The event was attended by the Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz-Sayed Khaiyum, Minister for Women Mereseini Vuniwaqa, members of the diplomatic corps, women and supporters from various business organisations.