Posted:06-November-2012
Domino's franchisee nominated for National Business Awards
UK’s leading entrepreneurs recognised as everywoman and NatWest mark 10 years of championing women’s enterprise
The finalists in the NatWest everywoman Awards - the UK’s leading programme for championing female entrepreneurship are announced today. These women, who are making their mark in diverse fields ranging from performing arts to live music production and bag design, demonstrate that with self-belief and determination it is possible to achieve your goals, whatever the odds.
A decade has passed since this Awards programme launched with the objective of raising the profile of women across the length and breadth of the country who not only contribute £130 billion to the UK economy* but who also create jobs, wealth and prosperity. Household names including Hilary Devey and Jo Malone MBE have been recognised, as well as dozens of extraordinary women from across the UK. By unearthing these women, role models have been created for a new generation of women.
A recent survey from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor**, found that more people in the UK were thinking of setting up a business in 2011 than in the previous ten years, indicating that programmes such as the NatWest everywoman Awards have had a positive impact on attitudes to enterprise. 49% of those surveyed who were in the early stages of setting up a business were female, up from 44% the previous year.
The finalists for 2012 are as follows: -
The Artemis Award – sponsored by Crystal Clear - for female business owners aged 25 and under:
Rachel Blatch, aged 25, from Southend on Sea launched Essex Stars in 2009, teaching cheerleading to over 100 young people aged 4 to 30. Passionate about the sport, Rachel is currently lobbying for it to be inaugurated as an Olympic sport ahead of Rio 2016.
Zoe Jackson, 23, from St Albans set up Living the Dream Performing Arts Company when she was just 16 and now trains over 500 young people for showcases, flash mobs, workshops and events for brands including Virgin Media.
Jessica Rose, 25, from London established the London Jewellery School on the back of a hobby. Despite the risk of bankruptcy when her investment in premises fell through, she now runs 80 different amateur and professional classes from her Hatton Garden studios, runs an international distance learning programme, and has future plans for national expansion
The Demeter Award – for female business owners aged 26 to 35:
Elli Chapman, 34, from Norwich, who having experienced a challenging upbringing in care and a confining disability was aware first hand at how a lack of external support can affect disenfranchised youth, and as a result set up Culture Works East (CWE), specialising in high quality creative arts to inspire young people to reach their full potential. In the last twelve months, the organisation has helped 1,500 young people, 75% of whom progressed into further education, training or employment.
Hayley Gait-Golding, 32, from London sold her home to fund start up BEAR Nibbles, which is sold in all major supermarkets as well as 2,000 independents. Her brand provides employment for women in rural areas around the world and offers onsite childcare.
Lisa Tobias, 31, from Glasgow secured a bank loan aged just 23 to purchase her first Domino’s Pizza franchise – Pizza Cake t/a Domino’s Pizza. Since then she has grown her group to six, is the company’s most successful female franchisee in the UK and Ireland and in 2012 achieved like-for-like sales growth of 14.2% despite the economic downturn.
The Athena Award - for female business owners aged 36 to 49:
Julie Dean, 45, from Cambridge started the Cambridge Satchel Company to fund school fees. Her innovative use of social media has seen a meteoric rise for a brand that turns over £9 million in its fourth year of trading.
Sipra Deb, 40, from Sheffield founded The Play Area following her father’s murder to create a community hub where children could learn and flourish whilst families socialise. With no business background she used the internet to write her business plan, securing funding from six banks along the way.
Caroline Redman Lusher, 38, from Farnham is the founder of Rock Choir, the largest amateur community choir comprising 17,000 members who have performed across the UK securing a multi-album deal with Universal in the process.
The Hera Award – for female business owners aged 50 and over:
Debra Charles, 50, from Northampton overcame dyslexia to launch Novacroft, which is the largest supplier of remote loading train tickets to the public transport network in the UK.
Liz Doogan-Hobbs MBE, 52, from Newark overcame a life altering accident to launch Liz Hobbs Group, which provides music concerts after sporting events, turning her business into the largest revenue stream for horse racing and growing attendance at sporting events.
Janis Sinton, 56, from Bristol was forced to run her business following her husband’s sudden death and has grown TasteTech into a global, multi-million pound enterprise providing pioneering solutions for the food industry.
The winners of the four categories will be announced at a lunch ceremony at London’s Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday 5th December 2012. The ceremony will once again be a high profile occasion attended by successful women in business and with a Ministerial Address by Rt Hon Maria Miller MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport & Minister for Women and Equalities. In addition, a number of further Awards will be presented on the day including:
The Iris Award – sponsored by IBM - for the most inspirational woman who runs a technology business that makes a difference, provides real solutions in the world today and, ultimately, is instrumental in building a smarter planet.
The NatWest everywoman Award - recognising the most passionate and dedicated woman business owner who the judges feel has overcome significant challenges to
achieve outstanding business success. The Spirit of everywoman Award - honouring one woman whose business contribution has changed the landscape for women in business. Previous winners have included Karren Brady, Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers and renowned broadcaster Moira Stuart OBE.
The everywoman Ambassador Award – sponsored by Marie Claire - presented to a successful woman whose achievements and high profile are inspiring more young women to consider entrepreneurship. Previous winners have included Cath Kidston MBE and The White Company founder Chrissie Rucker MBE.
Entrants for the NatWest everywoman Awards programme are judged by a panel of their successful peers including Sharon Hilditch MBE, founder, Crystal Clear International, Camilla Stephens, Co-founder, Higgidy, and Anna Lee, co-founder of Storm watches.
Karen Gill MBE, co-founder of everywoman says, “We have been fortunate over the past ten years to be introduced to a huge number of inspirational, successful women and this year’s finalists again have wowed us with their achievements. Many more women are turning to enterprise during the economic downturn, realising how satisfying and rewarding it can be and I hope that by highlighting our amazing finalists this year more will be encouraged to follow in their footsteps.”
Anne McPherson, Managing Director, Diversity in Business at NatWest adds, "At NatWest, we have long recognised the economic benefit that encouraging more women-owned businesses can bring and are committed to helping women achieve.
For their ambitions through our network of accredited Women in Business Specialist Relationship Managers. Our longstanding relationship with everywoman and 10 year sponsorship of the NatWest everywoman awards is a key part of our strategy to provide opportunities for women to raise their profile and grow their businesses. Our partnership with everywoman also allows us to open up personal development opportunities to our staff and our customers in the areas that women tell us are important to them."
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