The annual awards, founded in 2004 by the CBI and Real Business magazine, celebrate the achievements of women who are trailblazers and pioneers in business, across sectors including media, finance, business services and manufacturing. Also nominated in the media category were Yasmin Jeetha, COO of the Financial Times and Carol Stone, MD of YouGovStone. The award comes in the same week that Freesat won ‘Best New Brand or Business’ at the Marketing Society Awards for Excellence.

Emma comments:

“It’s important to recognise the achievements of women in business everywhere. So to receive this prestigious award is a real honour, especially when Jetha and Carole are such exceptional women. I couldn’t have won this award without the support of many great people during my career – and now thanks to our shareholders, the BBC and ITV and the fantastic team at Freesat who have worked incredibly hard to make the service such a brilliant success in only its first year.”

The Award, created by the Digital TV Group, the industry association for digital TV in the UK, and Pace plc, the leading independent developer of digital TV technologies for the global pay TV industry, was presented at the IBC show in Amsterdam on the Pace stand last night (Friday 12 September).

It recognises the project, product or service that has made, or has the potential to make, the biggest contribution to the development of digital TV in the UK

The Freesat service won the award as it has “potential to provide HD to millions of viewers at an economical cost”, it is “pushing the boundaries of the specification to improve the viewer experience” and it “should form a vital element of helping to ensure the UK goes through a successful DSO process”, according to quotes from the voting members of the DTG Council.

Special commendations go to the BBC iPlayer launch on Virgin Media which was the close runner up for the Award. The voting panel commented that the BBC iPlayer service on the Virgin Media platform “has ignited the UK VOD market”, “is the first successful mainstream example of VOD to TV – and as such leads the way to the future” and is “a service that consumers clearly want to use”.

Freesat MD, Emma Scott, said, “Freesat is delighted to accept this award amidst some strong competition. It’s great recognition of the expertise and commitment that’s gone into launching and developing such a great service.”

“With the support of our shareholders BBC and ITV, as well as our channel, manufacturer and retail partners, we have delivered upon our promise of brilliant free digital TV for everyone and provided an excellent value option for those who want high definition TV without subscription. We are very much a vital piece in the future development of UK television.”

Neil Gaydon, Chief Executive Office at Pace plc, commented: “Technology innovation has been central to Pace’s success throughout our history and our reason for creating this Award. The Freesat service is an excellent example of how this industry is constantly evolving and how consumers are benefiting from new services to access digital TV services.”

Simon Gauntlett, Director of Technology at the Digital TV Group added: “The UK is one of the leading digital TV markets in Europe. We are leading the way in new technologies and penetration of services. The Freesat service is a leading example of how the UK has achieved this position, and why we remain at the forefront of the marketplace.”

The Award was voted for by the DTG Council.

Last year’s winner was BSkyB’s SkyHD service.