THE hunt is about to start for the North East’s top female entrepreneurial talent and brightest businesses with women at the helm.
The 13th WIN Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, the biggest of its kind in the region, will highlight inspiring stories as it brings together successful women from across the region.
Nickie Gott, chairwoman of organisers WIN, said: “The annual WIN Awards are hugely important in celebrating the region’s inspirational female success stories.
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve just started or you’ve been trading for years, there’s a category for everyone and entering couldn’t be easier.
“A WIN Award is a major accolade that could really open doors for your business so please, don’t be shy, and enter.
“As well as recognising the best women in business, we also hope the event will empower more women to take the leap into becoming entrepreneurs themselves.
“It’s imperative we see more women in the boardroom and at the helm of their own businesses. We hope, by showing what can be achieved by our winners and nominees, we will help to encourage more people to do the same.”
The networking and business support group is looking for women who want to find out more about the criteria for the awards to attend the launch next week.
There will also be talks from past winners, including Julie Drummond, who won the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship last year.
The founder of Newcastle marketing, creative and digital agency Drummond Central has worked with companies including Newcastle-based Sage and eaga, gaming firm Bet 365, fast-food chain Subway and has developed international advertising campaigns including filming aeroplanes spelling the word Honda in their vapour trails.
Emily Jane Lathan, who won the Young Entrepreneur award last year, for building up her Yarm-based jewellery brand and online retailer, said it had helped to build her five-year-old business.
“It’s great to be recognised as a brand and it’s great to show off where we’ve come from as most clients assume we’re based in London,” she said. “The award is a great way to encourage more stockists and customers.”
There are 11 award categories, which include Best Small Business, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Best Use of Technology, as well as the prestigious Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.
This year also sees the launch of the new Key Woman of the Year Award, which gives any North East woman working within a business – not necessarily an entrepreneur – the chance to be recognised for playing a key role in the transformation, development or growth of a company.
The launch is at the DoubleTree by Hilton at Newcastle International Airport from noon to 2pm on July 27. Entries open from July 30 and the winners will be announced on November 2. Entries cost £15 + VAT per category and up to two categories may be entered.
For more information on the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards launch – or for details on sponsoring an award category – contact Will McLean at She’s Gott It! on 0191 385 6619, or e-mail will@shesgottit.com.
