News

The North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2005

(2 June 2005)

Women entrepreneurs encouraged to submit nominations for top awards competition

The official launch of the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, hosted by Women Into the Network (WIN) took place last Friday at the International Centre for Life in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Women from across the region came to listen to last year’s winners and hear which categories were open for nomination in what has now become one of the region’s most highly rated award competitions.

Speaking at the launch was last year’s North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Jackie Peddie of The Mailing House who stressed the importance of the awards and how winning had affected her and her business, urging those at the launch to put themselves forward and to encourage others to do the same.

Also speaking were Best Newcomers, Susan French and Christine Taylor of Contact Field Marketing and Promotions who said “Winning Best Newcomer was just the confidence boost we needed and we would encourage any women in business to participate, to be recognised for their achievements. It has made all the hard work worthwhile and strengthened our belief in our company, renewed our passion and enthusiasm to continue building our business and our reputation. In the first year and since winning the award, our turnover has increased from £14,000 to £500,000 – an increase of over 300%.”

The Awards, which are now in their sixth year, were established to recognise and reward the tremendous contribution being made to the North East economy by women and are specifically targeted at women who have set up or taken over an independently owned business in the North East. Sponsors include Regional Development Agency, One North East as well as 9 category sponsors from across the region. Award categories include “The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship”, sponsored by the Susan Dobson Memorial Fund, and brand new category “Best Woman in IT” sponsored by the New Technology Institute.

Events and Communications Manager, Lisa Vickers, said, “We are delighted to officially launch this year’s Awards. We were overwhelmed with the number and sheer quality of nominations last year and are looking forward to receiving even more nominations from our talented women across the region”.

Nomination forms are available from the WIN office by calling 0191 334 5502 or emailing info@networkingwomen.co.uk. An electronic version is available at www.networkingwomen.co.uk . Closing date for nominations is midday on Monday 26th September 2005 and the awards ceremony will take place on Friday 18th November at the Hilton Gateshead/Newcastle.

EDITOR’S NOTES:

Women Into the Network (WIN) is facilitated by the University of Durham. The twin aims of WIN are to integrate women into existing and new business networks and to bridge the gap between the extensive provision of business and professional support available. Initially concentrated in the North-East region, WIN is now working in partnership with a number of leading agencies operating at the cutting edge of women’s enterprise development, spanning the English regions to form AWE (Accelerating Women’s Enterprise).

Categories:

Flagship Award The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship – sponsored by the Susan Dobson Memorial Fund

Category Awards

Most Innovative Idea - sponsored by NetPark

Young Woman Entrepreneur – sponsored by South Tyneside Council

Supporter of Women’s Business – sponsored by A4e Consult.

Woman Social Entrepreneur – sponsored by the North Eastern and Cumbrian Coop.

Best Cultural and Creative Business – sponsored by Arts Council England, North East.

Best Newcomer - sponsored by The Journal.

Best Rural Woman Entrepreneur – sponsored by Northumberland County Council.

New Award Best Woman in IT – sponsored by North East New Technology Institute Tees Valley & County Durham.

Regional Press Enquiries: Contact Lisa Vickers, Events and Communications Manager, Women Into the Network on 020 8 255 1660/email l.d.Vickers@durham.ac.uk Or Dinah Bennett, Project Director on 0191 334 5497/email Dinah.Bennett@durham.ac.uk