The region’s top female winners are revealed

The achievements of inspirational women whose entrepreneurial and leadership skills have helped to boost the region’s economy in the last year, were celebrated on Friday night.

The winners of the 11th Annual Women Into the Network (WIN) Awards were revealed at a glittering ceremony in the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel.

The prestigious Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship was picked up by Lilian Mains, chair of North East training business Zodiac Training, which has fast become a national provider of specialist courses and consultancy for employers.

The Durham County Council-sponsored small business category was picked up by Angela Place, founder of hair and beauty business Hair X Tensions.

The judges cited the impressive way in which she has quickly grown her online firm and her vision for the future - which involves building an international presence and creating jobs - as key to her award victory.

The Best New Business category, backed by Business Link, was won by Jo Foster, who runs Northumberland-based flowers, chocolate and wine business Dillies.

Ms Foster was recognised for her boldness in starting a business in the recession and, according to the judges, sets an example of how personal service can give you the edge on mainstream retailers.

Cathi Harrison, founder of Para-Sols, was hailed for her bravery in sacrificing a full-time job during a recession to go it alone as she picked up the award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Gateshead Council.

The company offers paraplanning services such as research and analysis to businesses in a largely male-dominated sector.

Other winners included Deloris Martin of Sunderland Dance, who won the social enterprise category, Joanne Feeley of Trend Bible, who was named Best Creative Business and Alison Taylor of Food Local Food, who was recognised for her use of technology to develop her business.

WIN chair Nickie Gott, who also runs events management company She’s Gott It!, said: “The standard of entry this year was extremely high and of course, there were many difficult decisions to make in selecting the winners.

“I would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted companies for showing incredible determination, leadership ability and entrepreneurship in these difficult economic times.”

This year’s awards were designed by specialist glass products firm Creative Glass, based in Stockton-on-Tees.

The awards were sponsored by The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund, Business Link, SpaceCraft, North East Social Enterprise Partnership, Durham County Council, Once upon a Tyne Productions, Barbour and Gateshead Council.

For more information on WIN, visit: www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk.

Here is the full list of winners from this year’s WIN awards:


Best New Business, sponsored by Business Link
Jo Foster, Dillies

Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Gateshead Council
Cathi Harrison, Para-Sols

Best Small Business, sponsored by Durham County Council
Angela Place, Hair X Tensions Ltd

Best Retail Business, sponsored by Barbour
Susan Routledge, Finishing Touch Health & Beauty Clinic

Best Creative Business, sponsored by SpaceCraft
Joanna Feeley, Trend Bible

Best Home-based Business, sponsored by Women Into the Network
Rachel Poad, Rachel Poad Interiors

Best Use of Technology, sponsored by Once upon a Tyne Productions
Alison Taylor, Food Local Food

Best Rural Business, sponsored by Women Into the Network
Amynta Ward-Aldam, Tulip and Nettle

Best Social Enterprise, sponsored by North East Social Enterprise Partnership
Deloris Martin, Sunderland Dance CIC

The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship, sponsored by The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund
Lilian Mains, Zodiac Training