The shortlist has been announced for an awards ceremony celebrating the best of North East women in business.
The NE Women In Business Awards will return on October 28 after a two-year gap due to the pandemic. Categories at the awards – which are in their 21st year – feature prizes for new and small businesses, young entrepreneurs, women in STEM and the top prize of the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.
Nickie Gott, chair of the judging panel, said: “I genuinely cannot believe the amount and calibre of entries we have received this year. The two-year gap we had due to Covid was such a miss on the business calendar in our region.
Read more: date set for 'emergency Budget'
“The interest and entries this year really does demonstrate women in our region need their time to shine and be recognised for the huge impact they make in business. The WIN awards have been going for more than 20 years and still have a big part to play in seeking out our female role models and showing our next generation of female talent that if we can do it so can you.
“I am really excited for the awards dinner. It always offers so much inspiration to those who attend and is also a chance to celebrate, network and let off some steam on the dance floor at the end of the evening.
“Good luck to all who are shortlisted, you are making the judges job extra hard this year.”
The awards will take place at the Grand Hotel at Gosforth Park on October 28.
The shortlist is as follows:
Best New Business:
Kimberley Rumble – Kimberley Creative
Kylie Dixon – Northern Lass Lounge Laura Rose – Equestrian Rose Ltd
Natalie Dawson – Awesome Botanical
Best Small Business:
Alex Gates – Simply Certification
Ashleigh Donald – Halo Business Consulting
Louise Kennedy – Oculus HR
Lucy Walton – Go Gas and Power
Young Entrepreneur:
Jennie Moyes – Club Zest
Laura Rose – Equestrian Rose Ltd
May James – May James Ltd
Rising Star:
Alison Stephenson – AA Caring Caretaker
Corrine Lewis Ward – Powder Butterfly
Kay Terry – Sugar Noms
Kylie Dixon – Northern Lass Lounge
Women In Stem:
Women of Kielder Observatory
Elaine Parker – Safer Date
Kylie Dixon – Northern Lass Lounge
Innovation:
Elaine Parker - Safer Date
Kris Blackburn – The Running Fox Ltd
Laura Rose – Equestrian Rose
Leadership:
Catherine Johns – Kielder Observ-
atory
Kris Blackburn – The Running Fox Group
Sally Hart – George F White
Employer of The Year: Karbon Homes
The Running Fox Group Ltd
Role Model:
Linda Kirk – Just For Women
Elaine Parker – Safer Date
Sarah Pittendrigh – Simply Bows and Chair Covers
Women of Kielder Observ-
atory
The Susan Dobson North East Female Entrepreneur of the Year Finalists:
Kris Blackburn – The Running Fox Group Ltd
Sarah Pittendrigh – Simply Bows and Chair Covers
Louise Kennedy – Oculus
HR
Lucy Walton – Go Gas and Power
READ NEXT
