GALA NIGHT CELEBRATES REGION’S TOP FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

December 4th 2013

Recruitment boss scoops top honour at prestigious awards ceremony

THE cream of female entrepreneurial talent turned out in force to celebrate the achievements of the North East’s top women business leaders.

The 14th Annual North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards brought together high-flying women from a variety of sectors across the North East to see recruitment specialist, Jo Hand claim the honour of North East Female Entrepreneur of the Year.

Judges this year shortlisted women who excelled at providing focused, clear leadership abilities in running or playing a key role in business.  The standard of entries eclipsed previous years with numbers of applications reaching a record high.

Speaking after picking up the trophy at a ceremony at the Gateshead Hilton, Jo, whose agency Jo Hand Recruitment is based in the Tees Valley, said: “Considering the calibre of the business women in the room I felt humbled and very honoured to win the award. Their stories are amazing.

“I have worked very hard in the last eight years to get to this point. For the first four years of running the business I made many sacrifices such as not going on holiday with my family, who were very understanding at the time and very supportive. As well as the long hours I attended three early morning networking events each week to get the company name and brand out in the business community, effectively working 12 hour days three days a week.

“I was taught from a young age that whatever you put into something is exactly what you will get back out of it, this strategy has paid off and I am delighted to win this award and particularly over the moon to bring it to Teesside. I have a fabulous team working with me and I could not have won this award without their hard work and support.”

Event organiser Nickie Gott, Chair of NECC’s Women’s Advisory Board and founder of events management company She’s Gott It! said: “I’d like to congratulate all the winners who made judging this year’s event so difficult. IT is a cliché to say it gets harder every year, but the caliber of entries this year was phenomenal.

“Jo Hand is the latest in a long line of incredibly impressive female entrepreneurs to scoop the Susan Dobson Memorial Award. Her business acumen, knowledge of her industry and standing in the local business community meant she really stood out as this year’s most impressive candidate”

North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards combined this year’s event with the If (Inspiring Females) Conference held at Gateshead College.

NECC Director of Policy, Ross Smith said: “I am proud that NECC is able to support such an important event that has established itself as a key date in the business calendar.

“We need more people in our region to start their own business. If anyone needs inspiration they only need look at the list of winners and runners up for these awards.”

The North East Female Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2013 – Winners, runners up and sponsors:

Best Retail Business: Winner: Alice Blackie, Pink Boutique Ltd

Runner up: Charlotte Harbottle, Charlotte's Butchery

Sponsored by: Barbour

Best Creative Business: Winner: Georgie Cameron, Admiral PR

Runner up: Angela Lowery, Y Salon

Sponsored by: Big Purple Productions

The Key Woman Award: Winner: Catherine Johns, Business Durham

Runner up: Claire Carter, Collins Seafoods Ltd

Sponsored by: AkzoNobel

Best Use of Technology: Winner: Alice Blackie, Pink Boutique Ltd

Runner up: Lyndsey Johnson, LJ Retail Group

Sponsored by: Business Durham

Best Woman in International Business: Winner: Jacqui Miller, Miller UK

Runner up: Nagma Ebanks-Beni, Prima Cheese

Sponsored by: UKTI

Best Small Business: Winner: Kate Dawson, The All-in-One Company

Runner up: Janet Maitland, Hair Excellence

Sponsored by: NatWest

Best New Business: Winner: Eve Whitaker, The Eight

Runner up: Alice Blackie, Pink Boutique Ltd

Sponsored by: NECC

Best Social Enterprise: Winner: Gill Walker, Patchwork People/Labelled CIC

Runner up: Kate Bradley, Newcastle United Foundation

Sponsor: NESEP

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Winner: Leanne McHugh, Love Food Ltd

Runner up: Alice Blackie, Pink Boutique Ltd

Sponsor: Gateshead College

Best Home Based Business: Winner: Carol Lewcock, Mrs L Cards

Runner up: Maccine Hall, Designs Unique

Sponsor: WIN Ltd
The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship: Winner: Jo Hand, Jo Hand Recruitment Ltd

Runner up: Paula Esson, Northern Integrative Health Practice

Sponsor: The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund

One To Watch Award: Winner: Claire Carter, Collins Seafoods Ltd