Alumna prepares for Miss Wales final

Cardiff Business School alumna, Hannah Williams, will compete in the final of Miss Wales 2017 and is using the platform to encourage girls to consider manufacturing and technology careers.

Hannah, who graduated in 2014 with a BSc in Business Management, hails from Pencoed, Bridgend, and is competing to be named Miss Bridgend, and Miss Wales 2017.

There are 33 competitors in total, each vying for the main title which brings with it the opportunity to represent Wales at the Miss World competition later this year.

After graduating, Hannah began working in the medical manufacturing sector before moving into electronics. She is now an Assistant Sourcing Manager at Pencoed’s Sony UK Technology Centre, which involves supporting the production of thousands of HD broadcast and professional cameras for global distribution.

Passionate about the manufacturing sector and promoting women in business, Hannah has a long track record of advocacy and works with Cardiff University to promote careers and opportunities available to women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

She says: “I’m proud to be working in the technology and manufacturing industry, and for Sony, a company with a reputation for innovation and excellence. All too often women are put off careers in science, technology, engineering and maths or lack awareness of the opportunities available to them.

“I have used my platform as a Miss Wales finalist to engage with younger girls and to share my educational and professional experiences. Hopefully, they will see that their options are limitless, and no industries, or careers, are closed to them.”

Turning to the topic of the Miss Wales competition, Hannah is clear about the value of the experience.

“My involvement in the Miss Wales competition has been an incredibly important experience. I have grown in confidence and developed an understanding of the power I have to provoke change in the world – whether in business or society.”

Fundraising is a key component of the Miss Wales, and Miss World, activities. Miss Wales contestants undertake fundraising activity for children’s charities as part of the Beauty with a Purpose programme. Since 2004 contestants have raised almost £500,000.

Miss Wales 2017 will be crowned on Saturday 8 April in Newport and voting is currently open. For more information, please visit the Miss Wales website.