A raft of Cumbrian women are in the running to scoop a prestigious regional business award.
The Enterprise Vision Awards, now in their 10th year, recognise exceptional female entrepreneurship in the North West.
Organisers said this year attracted a record number of nominations and entries from across the region.
Coral Horn, founder of the awards, said: “Women have faced huge economic, logistical and emotional challenges as a result of the pandemic.
“It’s been an absolute joy to see the resilience and strength of these remarkable entrepreneurs who have adapted and flourished.
“Every nomination and entry deserves a huge round of applause and our 37 judges concur that the high quality of entries made their decisions exceptionally difficult – it’s interviews and voting next, then we’re ready for the celebration of the decade!”
Heather Waters, regional enterprise manager for NatWest, headline sponsor of the EVAS since 2013, said “The calibre of the entries this year is out of this world! This has made the judging process very challenging. I want to congratulate every woman who is short-listed; they are all outstanding and amazing role models.”
Previous winner and sponsor of the Hospitality Industry award, Kirsty Ridge of Lakeland Inns, said “After winning an EVA myself in 2019, I can’t express enough how much confidence it gave me as a female in business.
“My career has skyrocketed since the awards and I am proud to sponsor an event which helps inspire female entrepreneurs, especially in hospitality, to drive their business forward.”
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Friday, September 24 at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Cumbrian finalists
Hospitality
Michelle Wilkin – Lakeland Retreats, Ambleside
Wendy Bennett – Austen Temple, Kirkby Stephen
Employee
Dr Gabrielle Heffernan – Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
Charlotte Hargan – Lakeland Inns Group, Ulverston
Health & Wellbeing
Lisa Dykes, Julia Clifford and Suzan Hunter – iCan Health & Fitness CIC, Carlisle
Lana Walker – Worthy and Content, Penrith
Business Woman
Collette Butterworth, The Plastic Bottle Co, Ulverston
Maria Whitehead, Hawkshead Relish, Hawkshead
Jacqui Gale, Wax Lyrical, Ulverston
Professional Services
Angela Horn – THW Estate Agents, Kendal
Internet Industry
Joan Lind – Trybooking, Kendal
Family Business
Liz Beavis – Financial Management Bureau, Kendal
Amanda Wilson – The Pie Mill, Keswick
Charity
Marian Graveson – Carers Support South Lakes, Kendal
Jemma Swales – Autus Cumbria, Walney
Creative Industry
Philippa Charrier – FAT Properties, Kendal
Maria Benjamin – Dodgson Wood Farm, Ulverston
Anne Sowerby – Sassy Property Styling, Wigton
Young Entrepreneur
Emma Lea Dalton – My Kind of Clean, Kirkby-in-Furness
Retail Business
Judith Wren – Kin Vodka, Ulverston
Inspirational Woman
Rachel Holliday – TCC West Cumbria, Whitehaven
Training & Coaching
Alison Magee Barker – AJ Lakes, Windermere
Customer Services
Suzanne Ramsay – Little Rascals Daycare, Windermere
