Devon & Cornwall 2019 Venus Awards Finalists Announced at Pentillie Castle
It was more than tea for two at the Devon & Cornwall 2019 Venus Awards Finalists Announcement, hosted by Pentillie Castle, Saltash on 8th February 2019
At a splendid cream tea hosted at Pentillie Castle on 8th February 2019, more than 100 guests from the local business community gathered to celebrate the Devon & Cornwall 2019 Venus Awards finalists who will be progressing to the next stage of these prestigious business awards.
Although in our 6th year, we cannot believe that we are the number of applications continue to grow, making the finalist selection process harder than ever.
Venus Movement founder Tara Howard said:
“We received more than 1,300 nominations and applications for the 15 award categories, which highlights the huge contribution that women in business are making to businesses in the Devon & Cornwall Region.”
Launched in September, participants have been whittled down to the Finalists stage through a combination of sponsor panel and public judging.
The Venus Awards – dubbed by Channel 4 as “The Working Women’s Oscars” – celebrate the vital contribution that women in business make to the local, regional, and national economy, and are unique in that anyone can nominate a friend, client or family member.
Katie Harland, HR and Communications Leader for Cornish Mutual speaks about the judging for the Finalist Announcement:
“Judging the Entrepreneur of the Year award is a privilege but also a challenge - the standard of entries was so high. However, our three finalists really stood out because of the challenges they had overcome. Each one of them took considerable risks to launch their businesses.”
“At Cornish Mutual we strive to ensure our employment opportunities are available to everyone and nearly half of our staff work in a flexible way. So, it was interesting to hear how our finalists had overcome some of the difficulties of operating in traditionally male-dominated environments. Through their businesses, the three finalists are now changing people’s lives and are a true inspiration to others.”
The Devon & Cornwall 2019 Venus Awards will culminate in a Glamorous Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on 29th March 2019 at St Mellion International Resort.
The Venus Awards Devon & Cornwall 2019 Finalists are:
Woman in Propery/Construction (Sponsored by MIDAS)
- Melinda Fonda Underhill Real Estate Agents
- Heather Hughes Construction Industry Training Board - CITB
- Abi Jones AJ Architects
Small Business of the Year (Sponsored by SW Business Connections)
- Mel Mackie Ollylolly
- Helen Woolley Rockpool Trading
- Michelle Havill BABIROO
Inspirational Woman in STEMM (Sponsored by TRUCKSMITH)
- Carly Britton Babble App
- Tina Joshi University of Plymouth
- Kate Sneddon Biovault Technical Ltd
Employer of The Year (Sponsored by Plymouth City Bus)
- Catherine Chadwick The Devon Wedding Company
- Jo Lines Novahomes Sales & Lettings
- Rachael Petty Sparkle and Shine FM LTD
Inspirational Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Drake’s Jewellers)
- Alison Jordan Pete’s Dragons
- Jade Scott Vospers
- Hannah Shead Trevi House
Business of The Year
- Claire Carter Hartnoll Hotel and Spa
- Julianne Shelton Cornish Gems Ltd
- Emma Walton Riviera Tuition
Entrepreneur of the Year (Sponsored by Cornish Mutual)
- Wendy Powell MUTU System Limited
- Katie Sherjan Hollywell Housing Trust
- Louise Worden Concise Wealth Management Ltd
Lifetime Achievement Award (Sponsored by Atkins Wealth Ferrie Management)
- Maureen Cable Helpline Limited
- Laura Fraser-Crewes The Sunflower Women’s Centre (Trevi House Ltd)
- Mary Lunnen Dare to Blossom Life Coaching
Director of the Year (Sponsored by BBX South West)
- Sarka Andersonova Carousel Nurseries
- Maureen Cable Helpline Limited
- Patricia Duff Radio Plymouth
Networker of the Year
- Nicola Keen St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth
- Paula Martin Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust
- Annabel McCabe South West Business Expo
New Business of the Year (Sponsored by Accounting4Everything)
- Laura Edmunds Serendipity Sea Crafts
- Lee Glanville Surfing Cow Ice Cream
- Sarah Martin Nourish of Topsham
Influential Woman of the Year (Sponsored by Folk2Folk)
- Emily Beaumont Plymouth Marjon University
- Alison Jordan Pete’s Dragons
- Lucy Findlay Social Enterprise Mark CIC
Marketing & PR Excellence Award
- Maria Harding Four31 Digital
- Martina Mercer Martina Mercer
- Rachel Picken Agile PR & Communications Ltd
Business Mother of the Year (Sponsored by Heart FM)
- Gemma Harper Kiddi Kraze Events
- Rebecca Hempsell The Primary & Eleven Plus Tutors
- Silvia & Celia Lowe & Anderson Siblinc
Customer Service Award
- Kate Anderson Educated Recruitment
- Marilyn Grose Encore The Show Business & Saltash Uniforms
- Jade Scott Vospers
Photograph courtesy of Poppy Jakes
