A RECORD 31 businesswomen from Cumbria have been chosen as finalists for the biggest awards honouring female entrepreneurs outside London.
They are all hoping to win one of the highly acclaimed Enterprise Vision Awards (the EVAS) which have been created in association with women’s business network Pink Link.
The 31 have been chosen from almost 1,000 entrants from across the North West. Interviews will take place in July to decide who will win one of the 16 coveted EVA statues.
The awards will be presented at a glitzy black tie event on Friday, September 27 at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool when the region’s top businesswomen come together.
The Cumbrian finalists who will be flying the flag for Cumbria include Joan Lind of innovative Kendal online ticketing TryBooking, Amanda Ryan from Carlisle-based Social Elf, a virtual business administration company. Julia Clifford and Lisa Dykes of iCan Fitness, a community scheme to encourage Carlisle’s residents to improve their health and Lakeland shepherdess, farmer, walker, guide, fashion designer and writer Alison O’Neill.
Women from Manchester, Liverpool, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire of all business types and sizes are represented at the awards including TV’s The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Tanya Bardsley, who runs her own jewellery, gifts and home accessories business. The list of finalists is wide and diverse, showcasing the crème de la crème of the region’s female entrepreneurs.
Coral Horn, of Pink Link Ladies Networking, who founded the EVAS nine years ago, commented: “A record number of nominations were received this year, reinforcing what we have been shouting about for almost a decade – that the North West is a hotbed of highly talented women!”
She added: “The combination of resilience, determination, hard work and a touch of magic has made it particularly difficult for the judges to whittle down the applications to the EVAS2019 finalists. Congratulations, ladies, you are already winners in our eyes!”
Heather Watson, Enterprise Manager for headline sponsor NatWest, said: “We are passionate about supporting female entrepreneurship and recognising the important economic contribution that they make in the North West. The EVAS provide an essential platform to showcase their exceptional achievements and help to inspire other women to follow their dreams.”
An additional award, the Outstanding Achievement Award, will be presented by NatWest to one of this year’s finalists in recognition for her exceptional achievements.
Tickets for the EVAS2019 awards ceremony are available here or direct from Pink Link on 01253 425443.
EVAS2019 CUMBRIAN FINALISTS
SMALL
- Izzy Arrieta of Dean Taylor Bathrooms, Grange over Sands
NEW
- Samantha Gargett of Elton Business Support, Penrith
SOLO
- Amanda Ryan of Social Elf, Carlisle
- Amy Bateman of Amy Bateman Photography, Kendal
- Gwen Backhouse of Curlew Secretarial Solutions, Brampton
- Rebecca Watson of Rebecca Watson Brand Designer, Aspartia
FINANCIAL
- Sarah Edwards of Mulberry Asset Finance, Kendal
CREATIVE
- Alison O’Neill of The Shepherdess, Sedbergh
- Jackie Harris of Brightspark Marketing, Sedbergh
- Philippa Charrier of FAT Properties, Kendal
- Victoria Stott of Victoria Stott Design, Windermere
PROFESSIONAL
- Angela Horn of Thomson Hayton Winkley Estate Agents, Kendal
- Lisa Jackson of Acorn Marketing, Penrith
TRAINING & COACHING
- Alison Magee-Barker of AJ Lakes, Windermere
- Kathryn Jackson of Kathryn Jackson Coaching, Workington
- Nicola MacPhail of Gen-i, Penrith
HOSPITALITY
- Kirsty Mackenzie of Lakeland Inns, Ulverston
- Zoe Arnold-Bennett of Shed 1 Distillery, Ulverston
- Joyce McGuire of Dome House, Windermere
CUSTOMER SERVICES
- Charley Wilkinson of Westmorland Homecare, Kendal
- Michelle Wilkin of Lakeland Retreats, Ambleside
- Sara Young of CBA Events, Keswick
- Jane McLeod of The Rooftop Retreat, Carlisle
- Jo Evans of Bespoke Aroma, Windermere
- Tanya Tinkler of Salon-Rouge, Penrith
HEALTH & WELLBEING
- Julia Clifford of ICan Health and Fitness CIC, Carlisle
- Leah Dalby of Lune Valley Physiotherapy, Carnforth
INTERNET
- Joan Lind of TryBooking, Kendal
INSPIRATIONAL
- Gemma Marshall of Slimmingworldxgemx, Millom
RETAIL
- Amanda Wilson of The Pie Mill, Keswick
- Joanna Ireland of The Hen House, Bowness
