The 10th Annual North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2009

The 2009 WIN Awards, sponsored by Business Link, honoured enterprising women from all around the region on Friday night (Nov 20) at the Hilton NewcastleGateshead. Hosted by TV?s Wendy Gibson, over 400 of the region?s most enterprising women and their supporters came together on this, the tenth anniversary of the Awards, for what everyone agreed was the biggest and best celebration to date. Photographs of the event are now available.

Award Categories

  1. One To Watch

    Christine Pearece - Restoration & Beyond, Hartlepool

    Nominate the person who has been your inspiration in setting up and running/growing your enterprise. Female or male, dead or alive, an unsung hero, a famous or historical figure, a family member, a business colleague, or a friend.

  2. The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship

    Rebecca Howard - Cynergy, Stokesly

    Awarded to recognise a woman who, over the last 5 years or more, has achieved outstanding success in creating or growing a new or existing enterprise. Sponsored by The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund

    Shortlisted:

    • Susan Briganti (North East Employment and Training Agency Ltd)
    • Lilian Mains (Zodiac Training Ltd)
    • Jacqui McQueen (Zodiac Training Ltd)
  3. Best New Business

    Alison Taylor - Food Local Food Ltd, Bothal Castle

    Awarded to a woman who started trading less than 2 years ago and has launched a new venture with passion, enthusiasm and an unwavering desire to succeed. Sponsored by One North East

    Shortlisted:

    • Kerry Lewis (My Little Beauty Ltd)
    • Beverley Stuckey (Natural Empathy)
  4. Young Entrepreneur of the Year

    Emma Louise Graham - Busy Bears Children?Äôs Day Nursery, County Durham

    Vitality, ambition and determination are important in every business.  This Award is for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, under 30 who can add talent to the equation. 

    Shortlisted:

    • Nicola Adams (The Nicola Adams Experience Ltd)
    • Jennifer Demirel (Prima Training NE Ltd)
    • Julie Richardson (KeyStage Recruitment Ltd)
  5. Best Small Business

    Rebecca Howard - Cynergy, Stokesley

    Open to entries from all businesses with less than 50 employees. On-line small businesses are eligible for this category but may be better suited to the ´Innovation through Technology´ category. Sponsored by Durham University Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning

    Shortlisted:

    • Tanya Garland (Cool Blue Brand Communications)
    • Kathryn Lynn (Key Waste Management)
  6. Best Social Enterprise

    Hannah Eyres - Keyfund Federation, Newcastle

    Recognises women who combine strong entrepreneurial skills with a positive social mission. These are women who combine entrepreneurial spirit, with the ability to shape and spot opportunities and who know how to make a difference. Sponsored by SENE and SES

    Shortlisted:

    • Joan Alexanders (Lamsley Childcare)
    • Deloris Martin (Sunderland Dance Community Interest Company)
  7. Best Creative Business

    Joanne Wishart - Wishart, Newcastle

    Awarded to recognise and celebrate the achievement of a woman entrepreneur who has demonstrated innovation, good business practice and determination to succeed through their creative business. Sponsored by Arts Council England, North East

    Shortlisted:

    • Amanda Drago (Falling Cat)
    • Norma Sales (Redhouse Glass)
  8. Best Home-Based Business

    Louise Germaney - Fundraising Skills UK Ltd, Newcastle

    Awarded to celebrate the ever-increasing number of women turning towards home-based entrepreneurship. These women often have to overcome additional barriers such as isolation, separating work from personal life and being stereotyped as ´hobbyists´. Sponsored by Women Into The Network

    Shortlisted:

    • Alison Ellerbrook (hunkydory home)
    • Jayne Graham (20:20 Consulting Ltd)
  9. Best Use of Technology

    Emily Humphrys and Alison White - Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB), Billingham

    Awarded to the woman who has demonstrated exceptional success in using business technology to create a significant competitive advantage in any business area. Sponsored by Teesside University

    Shortlisted:

    • Emily Humphrys and Alison White (Cambridge Research Biochemicals (CRB))
    • Jill Roe (Digitalab)
    • Zoe Walton (Website Promotions)
  10. Awards sponsor

    Rebecca Howard - Cynergy, Stokesly
  11. Inspirational Role Model

    Nominate the person who has been your inspiration in setting up and running/growing your enterprise. Female or male, dead or alive, an unsung hero, a famous or historical figure, a family member, a business colleague, or a friend.

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Thanks to our sponsors for funding