Ten individuals have been spotlighted with awards for their unmatched contributions to women’s enterprise in the UK.
The champions of female entrepreneurship, although individually different, are united by a vision of what the economy might look like if women’s enterprise potential was realised.
Prowess, organisers of the awards, said the winners – nearly all of whom were female, should act as an inspiration to business people, and their aspiring peers, across the UK.
The top award for ‘outstanding contribution to women’s enterprise development’ went to Izzy Warren-Smith, founder of the UK-wide support group Women in Rural Enterprise.
For over a decade, her group has offered members a package of practical and specific business support, including networking events, marketing outlets, and tax advice.
Their aim is to keep female-run firms in the shires at the top of the government’s agenda, but it doesn’t exclude on the basis of location: “rural is a state of mind not a postcode,” it says.
Elsewhere at the awards, Hilary Devey, founder and managing director of Pall-Ex, a multi-million pound group of companies, scooped the accolade for ‘most inspirational woman.’
She said: “Being able to help other women to be successful is one of the perks of my job and to be recognised with this award for doing something I enjoy so much is doubly special."
The winners in the remaining categories were:
• Inspirational Business Mum: Sarah Steel, Managing Director, The Old Station Nursery.
• Business Support Professional of the Year: Zanib Yasmin, ATL ( Yorkshire ) Ltd
• Female Business Mentor of the Year: Susan Edgar, South Yorkshire Female Entrepreneurs Network (SYFEN).
• Innovator Award: Centre for Women’s Enterprise , University of Bedfordshire . Award
• Making an Impact: Professor Sara Carter, Director Entrepreneurship and Research Centre, University of Stirling
• Press Award: John Carlin, The Observer Woman’s Magazine.
Feb 15, 2007
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