The quest to find the UK’s most inspirational entrepreneurs has commenced – the prestigious NatWest everywoman Awards open for entries. With two new categories this year, more female role models will have the spotlight shone on them than ever before.
The NatWest everywoman Awards have been running since 2003 and were established to celebrate those women who have started and run successful businesses – particularly those who have overcome adversity.
This year’s awards are particularly important as we celebrate successful female-run businesses that have weathered the economic downturn as well as highlight the proven fact that women-run businesses in general have faired better in the recession. Research that NatWest and everywoman commissioned last year found that 50% of women of the 1,200 surveyed claimed their business had not been impacted by the recession versus 38% of men.
There are two new awards this year – the Hestia Award goes to a woman running a rural business and the Gaia Award goes to a woman running an ethical business. Other special awards include the Iris Award, given for the use of IT and communications in business and the everywoman Ambassador Award, which goes to an iconic celebrity or VIP who also acts as an advocate for entrepreneurs. Previous winners include Elle Macpherson, Colleen Rooney and Chrissie Rucker of The White Company. Lastly, the Spirit of everywoman Award is awarded to a woman who has changed the landscape for women in business, an honour which has been bestowed in previous years to Jenni Murray of Woman’s Hour, Karren Brady, Dame Stella Rimington and Dame Mary Perkins, who is also the Patron of the NatWest everywoman Awards as well as being its first ever winner.
Other categories are inspired by the ancient Greek goddesses – Artemis, Demeter, Athena and Hera, who represent courage, determination, perseverance, wisdom and strength respectively. In addition the most outstanding winner will be selected for the NatWest everywoman Award, which celebrates the woman who is thought to have overcome the greatest challenge to achieve business success. A noted event in the business calendar, the awards are open to entry to women from all walks of life, running any type of business.
Karen Gill, MBE, Co-founder and Director of everywoman says; “We’re really excited to be partnering again with NatWest this year following on from the success of the seven previous years. We are also pleased to announce the addition of two new awards to the programme – the Gaia and Hestia Awards. It’s really important to highlight the possibilities available for running businesses in rural locations and to identify the ethical companies out there. Every year we’re overwhelmed with more and more entries of really inspirational stories so it will be a great opportunity to be able to highlight more of these. Women especially don’t like to shout about their success, but we really urge entrepreneurs to enter, as winning an award is really fantastic for business.”
Helen Page, Managing Director, Marketing, UK Retail, RBS Group comments “NatWest has been closely involved with everywoman and has been part of the awards since they started eight years ago and we fully believe in the celebration of successful women in business. The awards recognise the extraordinary achievements of women across the UK and this year in particular, we are looking forward to honouring those who have overcome the challenges of the current economic climate and still made their businesses thrive.”
The Awards are free to enter and applications are made online at: www.everywoman.com/natwesteverywomanawards from 12 April until 30 July and will be judged by a panel of select businesswomen and entrepreneurs. This will include: Perween Warsi, CBE, MBE, DBA of S&A Foods; Sharon Hilditch, MBE of Crystal Clear International; Liz Jackson, MBE of Great Guns Marketing and Jo Hansford, the eponymous hairdresser, amongst others.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony held on 1st December 2010 at The Dorchester in London with influential businesswomen, politicians, media and VIPS who will celebrate their achievement.
For further information and details on how to enter please go to www.everywoman.com/natwesteverywomanawards and for table bookings, please contact everywoman directly on 0870 746 1800.
About Sarah Lamb
Sarah is the founder of the Girl Geek Dinners & GirlyGeekdom. She is a lover of gadgets, geeky things and sport! Find out more about her on her website.
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