LEADING ENTREPRENEURS CELEBRATED AT 2012 NATWEST EVERYWOMAN AWARDS

Some of the UK’s top female business talent has been recognised at this year’s NatWest everywoman Awards.

2012 winners included 25-year-old Jessica Rose, who battled potential bankruptcy as she built her London Jewellery School enterprise into the largest independent provider of amateur and professional courses in the country, and Hayley Gait-Golding, whose BEAR Nibbles healthy fruit snack brand is now sold in all major UK supermarkets.

Julie Deane, who started the Cambridge Satchel Company to pay for her children’s school fees, won the Athena category for Inspirational Businesswomen aged 36-39, while Janis Sinton won the top prize in the Inspirational Businesswoman aged 50-plus category.

Janis was forced to run her business alone following her husband’s sudden death and has grown TasteTech into a global business providing pioneering solutions for the food industry.

“Over the past 10 years we have uncovered incredible stories of professional triumphs, so many of which have been in the face of incredible adversity,” says Karen Gill, everywoman co-founder.  

“This year more than ever the judges were humbled by the extraordinary tenacity and determination shown by the finalists. 

“Drive to succeed takes on new meaning with these women and the word ‘inspiring’ doesn’t do justice to their achievements.

“We know there are thousands of women around the UK with a business idea and we are here to support them as their concept turns into reality. 

“This year’s winners are testimony that with hard work and persistence dreams of enterprise can come true.”