Now in its 12th year, the EVAS shines the spotlight on women from all business types. From social enterprise and small artisan businesses to ground-breaking innovators and global brands, the awards showcase their successes and achievements.
These inspirational women were selected from almost 1500 nominations and entries and include a wide variety of industries. The finalists are the trailblazers and game-changers; the role models who will inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs and encourage more women and girls to aim high.
These women play an active role in the community, are important contributors to the economy and deserve to be recognised for their accomplishments. The Rose Review, published by the awards’ headline sponsor, NatWest, shows that over 150,000 new all-women-led companies were founded last year – more than ever before.
A fifth of new incorporations in 2022 were all-female-led, a figure that has risen from 16 per cent in 2018. The biggest leap was among 16 to 25-year-old female founders, which rose by almost a quarter. Whilst these figures are encouraging, the stark fact remains that only 1 in 3 entrepreneurs in the UK are women. There are 18 awards to be won as well as the highly coveted Outstanding Achievement Award which has previously been won by Deborah Dixon, Maggie Oliver and Susanna Lawson. The high calibre of the entries has increased the pressure on the judging panel who will be responsible for choosing this year’s winners at the next stage when the finalists attend an online interview.
Speaking about the finalists, last year’s Business Woman of the Year, Sam White, founder of Stella Insurance in the UK and Australia said: “As women in business, we have all experienced the dreaded ‘no, your idea is not for us’, but that doesn’t mean it’s not for someone else. We shouldn’t forget how strong we are. Don’t let one failure make you feel like everything is all doom and gloom.
“I’m not just a businesswoman – I’m a leader, a mother, a wife, a colleague and a friend. This gives me the strength to pick myself up and keep moving forward, as we all should. The EVAS is a great platform to make powerful introductions to business leaders and mentors, opening opportunities to build commercial relationships, and attract investors.” The EVAS winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Friday September 29.
For further information about the finalists or to book tickets to attend the awards ceremony, visit: www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk.
The Lancashire finalists are: Ali Holmes of V12 Bar (Young Entrepreneur) | Ashley Walker of HSE Advice UK (New Business) | Andrea Spain of Pinewood Veterinary Practice (Best Business) | Becky Toal of Crowberry | Consulting (Diverse Business) | Carol Nuttall of Adlington Law (Family Business) | Caroline Ascroft of CA interior Design (Creative Industry) | Charlotte Russell of Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand (Customer Services) | Christina Melling of Stipendium (Digital Industry) | Ciara Moriarty of The Performance Studios (Young Entrepreneur) | Claire Robinson of Chic Happens (Customer Services) | Debra Cartlidge of White House Deaf Specialist Provisions (New Business) | Diane Kellet of Mill House Farm Pods (Hospitality Industry) | Eileen Vizard of Energy Ace (Business Woman) | Gemma Seaton of Kerax (Customer Services) | Gill Fourie of Whoops A Daisy Music (Creative Industry) | Heather Fairclough of Heather Jane Beauty (Best Business) | Heidi Nursey of Visiting Angels Central Lancashire (Employer) | Helen Taylor of Glazey Days (Creative Industry) | Helen Dimmick of Ainsworth Jewellers (Retail Business) | Imogen Southwood of iLashed by Imogen (Young Entrepreneur) | Jaclyn Clayden of Process Counselling & Psychotherapy (New Business) | Jane Cole of Blackpool Transport (Employer) | Joanne Kimber of Granby Marketing Services (Business Woman) | Julia Buchanan of N & J Aluminium Linings (Family Business) | Justine Forster of Advocacy Focus (Inspirational Woman) | Khyra Kershaw of The Hop Shoppe (Hospitality Industry) | Laura Weldon of Studio.LWD (Creative Industry) | Lisa Brady of Perfect Recruitment (Best Business) | Lucy Files of Foster Tachographs (Family Business) | Lucy Anjuna of Coaching by Lucy (Health and Hospitality) | Lyndsay Fahey of Rainbow Hub (Not For Profit) | Melissa Cooper of Feathers and Florence (Young Entrepreneur) | Niamh Allen of IoT Horizons (Digital Industry) | Nicola McLoughlin of Scentish (Family Business) | Nikki Hesford of The Small Business Academy (Training and Coaching) | Nicola Thompson of Cash For Kids (Not For Profit) | Pauline Rigby of Forbes Solicitors (Business Woman) | Rachael Foster of Short But Sweet (Young Entrepreneur) | Rachel Adamson and Linda Kirk of Adkirk Law (Professional Services) | Samantha Ashcroft of Headway Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde (Not For Profit) | Sarah Rimmer of Secure Assure (Digital Industry) | Siobhan Courtney of Eventus Recruitment Group (Professional Services) | Sonia Green and Kirsty Barnard of Chorley Vets (Family Business) | Sophie Mellor of Home Instead Lytham, Wyre & Fylde (Employer) | Stephanie Reed of Reeds Refillery (Sustainable Business) | Stephanie Hinde (Arthur Benjamin & Co (Sustainable Business) | Tracey Bush of One Fylde (Not For Profit) | Vicky Callan of Vicky Callan Interiors (Family Business) | Zowi Whittaker of Fox Brothers Group (Diverse Business). The full list of 2023 Enterprise Vision Awards Finalists can be found here www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk/finalists
Pictured above, winners of 2022 Enterprise Vision Awards
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