There’s just one month left for Britain’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs to enter the prestigious NatWest everywoman Awards. The awards, a yearly fixture on the business calendar, are open for entries until Friday 30 July.
They have been running since 2003 and were set up to celebrate women who have started up and run successful businesses of any type – showcasing women who have shown real grit and determination, overcoming obstacles and challenges in order to succeed in business.
Awards categories inspired by ancient Greek goddesses include Artemis, Demeter, Athena and Hera, who represent courage, determination, perseverance, wisdom and strength respectively. In addition, one winner will be chosen to receive the NatWest everywoman Award, which celebrates the woman who is thought to have overcome the greatest challenge to achieve business success in 2010.
Due to a fantastic reception from the women’s business community over the years, two new awards have also been added – 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 innovation in IT and communications in business and the everywoman Ambassador Award, which goes to an iconic women or VIP who 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.
everywoman say this year’s awards are particularly important as they will 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 found that 50 per cent of women claimed their business had not been impacted by the recession versus 38 per cent of men.
Karen Gill, MBE, Co-founder and Director of everywoman says: ‘We’re really excited to be partnering again with NatWest and to announce the addition of two new awards to the programme. 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 with the new awards Gaia and Hestia. Winning or being shortlisted for an award is really fantastic for these women as it really does propel businesses forwards.’
Judge Liz Jackson MBE, founder of B2B firm Great Guns Marketing, says: ‘The coverage the awards get is huge – it is great free PR and publicity. Becoming a finalist means you’re a winner. Girls are inspired by winners and there should be more female role models in the papers. Even if you don’t win, your profile will be read by people who are promoting women into the public eye.’
Last year’s Hera Award winner Lyn Cecil, founder of recruitment firm Secretaries Plus, says: ‘Winning the NatWest everywoman Award has led to increased business, a daunting appearance on Newsnight with Jeremy Paxman, Alistair Darling and Sir Martin Sorrell and lots of press coverage. In addition, I have had calls asking for help mentoring. I was surprised by how proud friends, colleagues, business contacts and family were by me winning the award.’
She adds: ‘If you are thinking about entering, go for it!’
>> The awards are free to enter and applications are made online at: www.everywoman.com/natwesteverywomanawards and will be judged by a panel of select businesswomen and entrepreneurs including Perween Warsi, CBE, MBE, DBA of S&A Foods and Sharon Hilditch, MBE of Crystal Clear International, 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.
Tags: awards, enterpreneurs, Events, everywoman, small business
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June 28th, 2010 at 10:16 amNatwest everywoman awards is still open to entries « FMWF says:
[...] a look at one of our FMWF stories here to find out full details about the awards. The deadline for entry, which is free, is July 30. Enter [...]