News

Woman Entrepreneur of the Year

(7 May 2003)

The University’s enterprise scheme for female entrepreneurs, Women Into the Network (WIN), is looking for nominations for the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

WIN is seeking nominations from female entrepreneurs, young and old, from all areas of the business community and from a variety of backgrounds and sectors. The awards, now in their fourth year, were established to recognise and reward the contribution women make to the North East economy. They are targeted at small and medium sized businesses with the aim of raising the profile of women in the region and to help inspire other women to become entrepreneurs.

The main award is the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship which will go to a woman entrepreneur who has either ventured out alone or who has taken over an existing business and made it a success. Other awards are:

• Most Innovative Idea
• Young Woman Entrepreneur
• Supporter of Women’s Business
• Woman Social Entrepreneur
• Best Woman in International Trade
• Best Cultural and Creative Business
• Best Newcomer
• Best Rural Woman Entrepreneur

Last year, examples of nominations received were from women who had set up an events management company, a stage school and a greeting cards company. Last year’s overall winner was Margaret Clare from Solutions Recruitment in Newcastle who has helped to make her business the success it is today with a turnover of £3.5m by concentrating on technology and innovation, customer focus, community support and ethics. Margaret said: “Winning the award was energising and awesome.  So many worthy entrants and so much choice - it really was very humbling.  I had only been in post for 3 months when I received the award but it made a tremendous difference to the company image and the public perception.”

The launch event for the awards takes place at the Centre for Life in Newcastle on Thursday 29 May from 1.00-3.00pm. The event is free of charge and everyone is welcome to attend. Please contact Lisa Vickers on 0208 274 8416 to book your place.

The closing date for nominations is 17 October 2003. You can either nominate yourself or you can be nominated by a colleague, friend or business partner. For nomination forms, please contact WIN on 0191 334 5506 or 0208 274 8416.