2014 EVA Awards - the winners revealed

A night of glitter and glamour celebrated the success of business women from across Lancashire at the annual Enterprise Vision Awards.

More than 600 guests packed the Winter Gardens in Blackpool to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by top chef Paul Rowley and hear the winning names revealed.

It was the culmination of a nail-biting few weeks for scores of high achievers as they put themselves through a stringent judging process in a bid to take one of 16 titles in the prestigious EVAs.

The awards were set up in 2011 by Coral Horn, founder of the Pink Link Ladies networking group, with the goal of recognising and highlighting business women from across the region.

Now in their fourth year, the EVAs were bigger than ever, attracting headline sponsor NatWest for a second year and adding Online Business and Hospitality Business to its categories. The awards, supported by Lancashire Life, were hosted by broadcaster Penny Haslam.

Coral Horn said: ‘This is without doubt the most successful year so far.

‘The number of entries has been unprecedented, so we are delighted that business women from across the region have been inspired to stand up and shout about their achievements. Picking a winner has certainly been a tough task for the judging panel and we absolutely delighted for our winners.’

Among the winners were Paula Homes, of the Katy Holmes Trust, set up in memory of her daughter.

After Katy’s death aged just 10, Paula launched the trust to raise money to help bolster the tiny amount of money spent by government on paediatric brain tumour research.

Business woman of the year was Melissa Burton, who founded a company called Goody Good Stuff, a Heysham-based outfit which has had great success making an additive-free range of sweets using plant derived technology, which eliminates the need for animal-based gelatine.

An additional surprise award was also presented to organiser Coral Horn by members of the Pink Link Ladies network for her continued support to women in business through the network and the EVAs.

Heather Waters, enterprise manager at NatWest said: ‘The awards are a fantastic way to showcase some of the excellent work that is being done.’

ROLL OF HONOUR

Inspirational Woman of the Year - Paula Holmes, the Katy Holmes Trust

Business Woman of the Year -- Melissa Burton, Goody Good Stuff

Small Business - Denise Armer and Jane Halpin, Unique Kidz and Co

New Business - Amy Cotter, Sensoriel CIC

Sole Trader - Sissy Rooney, Street Style Surgery

Training and Coaching - Kathy Higgins, Insight 2 Drive Ltd

Professional Services - Hannah Bell, Lakes Legal Ltd

Health and Fitness - Tracy Cooke , Kidzkitchen

Financial Services - Kristen Durose, Red Star Wealth Management

Creative - Beverley Wood, BWD Ltd