Devon Business Leaders Scoop Top Honours at Awards
Devon businesswomen Alison Jordan and Rebecca Marks have both walked away with honours at the Institute of Directors South West 2018 Awards, celebrating leadership, talent and success in the region.
Alison, CEO of Exmouth-based Pete’s Dragons, a bereavement support service for anyone affected by suicide in Devon and Cornwall, was named Public/Third Sector Director of the Year while Rebecca won the Family Business Award.
Alison originally pursued a career in criminal law for 12 years before undertaking a masters degree in Business Management in 2012. She founded Pete’s Dragons in 2014 with her family in memory of her younger brother, Pete Wicks, who took his own life in 2010 aged 24.
Judges singled out Alison’s application out for its clarity of leadership and vision and commitment to delivering a broad range of tailored bereavement support services. They admired the extremely important work the charity undertakes and the innovative and entrepreneurial ways in which Alison has achieved success.
Rebecca is co-founder and MD of global entertainment agency Scarlett Entertainment, founded nearly 10 years ago with her brother Benjamin Marks. The company now employs over 50 entertainment specialists and represents 12,000 acts worldwide. The specialist team speaks 11 languages and are based in key locations around the globe including Dubai, London, Las Vegas and Rome with headquarters in Devon, Newton Abbot.
Judges said Scarlett Entertainment stood out for its rapid growth and success both in the UK and internationally. Rebecca and her brother Ben are clearly energetic leaders and entrepreneurs who have pioneered a new market and built up an impressive business. The judges felt this was based on genuine passion and enthusiasm for bringing performance and entertainment to a wide audience.
Alison and Rebecca joined 14 other shortlisted directors from across the region at the event which took place at Sandy Park Stadium, near Exeter, and was sponsored by accountants Bishop Fleming who have offices throughout the South West, including Bristol, Exeter and Bath, Plymouth, Torquay, Truro and Worcester.
Nick Sturge, Iod regional Chair and Chartered Director said:
“The South West has a well-deserved reputation for creativity and entrepreneurship and the diversity of the entries really showcased this fact. We had a record number of entries this year so to be even shortlisted was an achievement. I want to congratulate not just our winners but our runners up too.”
Winners in the other categories were:
Dr Anil Ohri, chief executive of Regents Park Healthcare, Wiltshire, who was named Director of the year (Innovation), Oliver Bruce, founder and CEO of PInPointMedia film production business, Cheltenham, who was named Start up Director ; Rob Vivian, MD of telecoms provider Pure Comms, based in Bristol and Cornwall, who won the CSR award and Donna Whitehead, Pro Vice Chancellor and Faculty Dean at the University of the West of England, who was named New Director.
Feature Photo: Lydia Ward (right), assistant sales manager for Scarlett Entertainment accepting the award on behalf of Rebecca from Fleur Lewis, Bishop Fleming
