Important Announcement About The Venus Awards Finalists!

On Thursday 11th February 2016, Tara Howard, Founder of the Venus Awards, announced the Finalists of this years Southampton Venus Awards.

I am very honoured to have been included in the Top 3 and as a Finalist for the Rothmans New Business Award. The last seven months have gone like a whirlwind. Being nominated for a Venus Award was shock enough, but I never imagined I would ever be a finalist. I cannot thank Rothmans enough!

Now I just need to continue to grow… oh, and find a dress! The awards which will be held on the 15th April at the Ageas Hilton. I know which option will be harder!

Venus Awards: Full Press Release

It was more than tea for two at the Finalists Announcement of this year’s Southampton Venus Awards in association with Peter Cooper Motor Group at Botleigh Grange Hotel and Spa.

The Southampton Venus Awards, in association with Peter Cooper Motor Group, celebrated with sponsors, Semi-Finalists and over 70 guests the announcement of this year’s Finalists at an afternoon tea at Botleigh Grange Hotel and Spa on Thursday 11th February 2016.

Competition has been fierce in the region this year with 1,291 nominations and applications received in one or more of the 15 categories – two of which are voted for by the general public.

The Venus Awards in Southampton were launched in September 2015 and candidates have been whittled down to the Finalists stage through a combination of public and sponsored judging. Sponsors and candidates have attended a variety of events over five months to reach this point.

Associate Sponsor Peter Cooper Motor Group has continued their support of the Awards into a fourth consecutive year and is also sponsoring the Influential Woman of the Year category.

The Southern Daily Echo is sponsoring the ever-popular public vote category of Business Mother of the Year Award.

NatWest is this year’s sponsor of the Inspirational Woman Award and Mairead Taylor, Director, Corporate and Commercial Banking, said of their support of the Venus Awards,

“NatWest is delighted to be supporting the Venus Awards in recognising successful and inspirational businesswomen from our local communities. Events such as these are extremely important – not only in terms of celebrating great achievements but also in encouraging more and more women to enter the business world.”

“As a company, we continue to play an integral role in actively supporting women in businesses across the UK, providing dedicated relationship managers that work in partnership with customers as their companies develop and grow.”

Sandler Training is this year’s Sponsor of the Manager of the Year Award. Benjamin Dennehy, Motivational Sales Speaker and Sandler Trainer, said,

“The Finalists event was full of amazing women, great food, and plenty of energy. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience.”

Pam Bates, Fundraising and PR Manager for the Countess Mountbatten Hospice who are this year’s Charity Sponsor of the Southampton Venus Awards, said,

“As Lead Ambassador for Venus Awards Southampton, I am privileged to be part of the Venus family. There’s so much positivity and camaraderie between the Finalists that makes it something very special!”

The Venus journey will culminate in a glamorous Ceremony and Gala Dinner to be held at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl on Friday 15th April 2016.

The Venus Awards Finalists, 2016 Are:

Dutton Gregory Business of the Year

Caroline Payne – Maraca Jacks Ltd

Freya Smith – British Nannies

Sally Pickles – Vanilla Catering and Events

Shirlaws Digital Media and Online Business Award

Adele John – Big Paw Animation

Sarah Sibley – Bake with Sarah

Freya Smith – British Nannies

Southern Daily Echo Business Mother of the Year

Laura Bowyer – Employment Matters

Caroline Payne – Maraca Jacks Ltd

Verity Evans – Southampton Pamper Parties and The Pink Room

BAT Entrepreneur of the Year

Melissa Edmunds – Zinch Designs

Sarah Quirk – Sarah Quirke Wealth Associates

Fiona Birnie – Sugarflick

Rubicon Recruitment Employer of the Year

Denplan Ltd

Old Mutual Wealth

Prysmian Group

Peter Cooper Motor Group Influential Woman Award

Priya Tew – Pilates with Priya and Dietician UK

Dr Roxana Carare – University of Southampton

Aycin Wateridge – B Organic Ltd

NatWest Inspirational Woman Award

Michelle Goodyear – Curves Eastleigh

Alarna Harris – Jurys Inn Hotels

Marie-Claire Prettyman – The Movement Specialist

Heart FM Employee of the Year

Liz Clarke – Evolution5 Ltd

Rachel Denham – Grand Harbour Hotel

Jo Richardson – Newsquest (Southern Daily Echo)

bandv Marketing and PR Award

Jan Halliday – Southampton International Airport

Mo Morgan – Lakesmere

Helen Freeston – Paris Smith LLP

Interlink Express Customer Service Award

Htec – Melissa Lane-Gilhespy

Genene Bulpitt – Microlink PC (UK) Ltd

Sally Rose – Old Mutual Wealth

SMART Small Business of the Year

Teresa Francis – Feminine Wear

Melissa Edmunds – Zinch Designs

Kerry Herdman – Urban Eden Beauty Ltd

Enhanced Director of the Year

Sue Copling – Ageas (UK) Ltd

Gail Thomas – TW Metals

Amanda Davison-Young – Newsquest

Sandler Training Manager of the Year

Sarah Susan-Powell – Wessex Cleaning Equipment & Janitorial Supplies

Suzette Smith – Microlink PC (UK) Ltd

Rosy Velikova – ProcessFlows (UK) Ltd

Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by Silk Bow Bookkeeping 

Gill Farnsworth – Countess Mountbatten Hospice

Jo Richardson – Newsquest Southern Daily Echo

Lesley Powell – Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd

Rothmans LLP New Business of the Year

Katy Handley-Quint – Olive’s Larder

Kate Underwood – Kate Underwood HR and Training

Samantha Kingston – Virtual Umbrella