Former detective Maggie Oliver wins award for Outstanding Achievement

Former detective Maggie Oliver

Former detective turned whistleblower Maggie Oliver – who played an integral role in bringing about the prosecution of a Rochdale grooming gang – has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement accolade in this year’s Enterprise Vision Awards.

Maggie was presented with the award for her work in setting up the Maggie Oliver Foundation, established in 2020, which helps survivors of sexual abuse and gives them a voice. The foundation employs three paid members of staff, has six trustees and over 30 volunteer ambassadors.

Maggie was also shortlisted as one of six finalists in the Inspirational Woman category, but lost out to Rachel Holliday of Time to Change West Cumbria, a community interest company established to help tackle homelessness in the region.

Speaking before the event, Maggie said she was “excited and thrilled” to be nominated.

She added: “The other finalists in the Inspirational category are amazing, and so to get this far is wonderful. I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time to vote for the Maggie Oliver Foundation.

“We have worked relentlessly to get to this place, and although we still have mountains to climb, moments like this are a time to stop, reflect, and think of how far we have come.

“Every single one of the team shares my passion for fairness, for justice, for integrity, for kindness and compassion.”

The mum of four joined the police force in 1997 as a detective and family liaison officer working on major murders. She later left the service following its handling of a sex abuse case, which saw nine men convicted after targeting vulnerable girls in Rochdale and Heywood.

All of the victims were under-age white British girls, and accusations were made that the authorities had failed to thoroughly investigate the issue amid fears of being accused of racism.

Maggie was portrayed by Leslie Sharp in the 2016 BBC drama ‘Three Girls’, which is based on the case. She was awarded a special recognition accolade at the 2020 Pride of Manchester awards for her work in highlighting child grooming.

The Enterprise Vision Awards, now in its 10th year, are the largest business awards outside of London dedicated to women. The awards celebrate the outstanding successes and achievements of the North West’s women who are leading the way in their industries or are building businesses that are not only judged on turnover, but creativity, ethics, passion and commitment.

The ceremony took place at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Friday (24 September).