Finalists have been announced for the much-talked-about NatWest Venus Women’s Awards, Devon 2013.
Semi-finalists, sponsors and friends gathered at The Magdalen Chapter Hotel in Exeter, to find out who would be invited to the grand Awards Ceremony at Exeter University in September.
The event was co-hosted by Celia Delaney, of Exeter company SpeakingSuccess, and the founder of the Venus Awards, Tara Howard.
Some of the finalists were selected directly by their sponsors, while others had to face the more challenging public vote process.
Tara Howard says: “Whether it be by the public or decided by the sponsors, making it through to this stage of the process is something to be shouted about.”
The finalists for the sponsor-judged categories are:
Bishop Fleming Entrepreneur of the Year:
Anne Walker MBE – International Dance Supplies
Jo Rees – Salt Media Ltd
Sarah Cressall – The Creation Station Ltd
Fidelius Insurance High Achiever of the Year:
Vanessa Priddis – Hartnell Chanot & Partners
Dr. Olivia Champion – Scientist at Exeter University
Sally Taylor – St Lukes Hospice Plymouth
Hartnell Chanot & Partners New Business of the Year:
Katie Jones – Choccie Bar
Dr Ros Debenham – Radiance MediaSpa
Star Khechara – School of Holistic Cosmetology
NatWest Small Business of the Year:
Jacqui Batterbee – Batterbee Thompson & Co Ltd
Rebecca Montford-Gard – Eden Day Spa
Jo Rees – Salt Media Ltd
The Old Bag Company Inspirational Woman:
Anna Petherick – Bizzaz Hair
Glynis Lidster – Welcome Hall Ltd
Cathy Debenham – YouGen Ltd
CBCS Green Business of the Year:
Claire Callender – The Green Funeral Company
Sonia-Maria Hall – Surplus WEEE
Cathy Debenham – YouGen Ltd
Home-based Business of the Year:
Janet Carter – Austim Life Resources
Julia Bramble – BrambleBuzz
Carol Willcox – Juice Plus
Sara Delphi – Sara Delphi
Lisa Singleton – Zebra Design
Lifetime Achievement :
Debbi Moore – Big Wave Media
Alexis Bowater – Bowater Communications
Sandhy Robinson-Jones – Chameleon Design
Julie Hawker – Cosmic
Jackie Bligh – TaxAssist Torquay, Paignton & Exeter
Networker of the Year:
Sarah Holmes – Bond Dickinson
An Swinnen – British English Consulting Service Ltd
Glen King – Glen King Marketing
Linda Cleaves – LC Mortgages
Debbie Manners – ND Media
The Exeter Daily Employee of the Year:
Tracey St Anton – Boswell Farm Cottages
Morag Rowse – Beaconville Nursing
Samantha Durston – Thomson Reuters
Cathedral Appointments Employer of the Year:
Mariam Badavi – Purity Boutique Spa Limited
Anne Walker MBE – International Dance Supplies Ltd
Jacqui Batterbee – Batterbee Thompson & Co Ltd
Heart Business Mother:
Julia Bramble – BrambleBuzz
Alana Carroll – Gravitas Recruitment
Janette Davey – Your Baby and You
If you would like to join the sponsors and finalists at the ‘social event of the year’, the Grand Award Ceremony on 5th September at Exeter University, tickets can be purchased from the Venus Awards Devon Website at www.devon.venusawards.co.uk.
