County Durham & Darlington held its inaugural ‘Celebrating Women in Business Awards’ on 4th May at Hall Garth Hotel, Spa and Golf Club to a packed audience.
This event took the opportunity to shine a light on the fabulous entrepreneurial women across County Durham and Darlington and, without doubt, the judges, Dame Dela Smith DBE, DL, Sarah Bentley Morrison’s Trust and Ruth Lowbridge MBE SFEDI Group had a difficult task to both shortlist and select the category winners.
The evening started with an opportunity to browse the wonderful range of stall holders exhibiting in the hotel, then enjoy a welcome drink and canapes kindly sponsored by The Pasta Shop.
Fashion entrepreneur Amber Kotrri of The House of Zana held the audience enthralled with a fabulous fashion show of her unique leisure and dress wear which was perfect for those upcoming spring holidays.
Compere for the evening was local celebrity and voice over artist Emma Hignett. Emma interviewed guest speaker Charlotte Staerck, owner of The Handbag Clinic, who hit home with the audience with some of the realities and challenges of being a woman in business.
The evening was a collaborative event between County Durham & Darlington Foundation Trust Charity and Darlington Business Club, who, with members like Resilient Business Systems, Hall Garth Hotel and sponsor organisations, helped to deliver an outstanding evening of entertainment and recognition for our exceptionally talented ladies in County Durham.
Pat Chambers, from CDDFT Charity, said, “Without doubt our small committee pulled together an exceptional event which we hope to be able to run again in 2024 – indeed, some of this year’s sponsors are already pre booking their sponsorship and tables so we need to get busy planning again.”
Huge thanks to Studio 8 for the photos, Rob Cam Productions for the soon to be released video and Finch Events for AV and Sound but, most importantly, thank you to all of our sponsors and guests, without whom the evening simply wouldn’t have happened.
Nominees and winners:
Future Leader Sponsored by BTS Facades and Fabrications
Beth Reid The Cornforth Partnership
Jess Fairley Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Winner: Hannah Malik / Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Hidden Hero Sponsored by Resilient Business Systems
Maria Perek Clive Owen LLP
Paige Williams AAA Caring Caretaker Ltd
Winner: Helen Smaldon / Orca Cleaning Services Ltd
Impact in the Community Sponsored by High Life North
Sarah Rose Skerne Park Community Partnership
Catherine Evans The Cornforth Partnership
Winner: Debbie Iceton / Five Acres Community Garden CIC
Innovation in Sustainability Sponsored by Contractor Match
Sarah Jane Eco Salon
Winner: Marcia Atkinson / BTS Facades and Fabrication
Newcomer of the Year Sponsored by Darlington Business Club
Donna Sandall Donna Sandall Family Law
Winner: Katharine Matthews / The Absolute Word
Rising Star Sponsored by Fresh Digital
Andrea Graham Uniform Supplies Ltd
Izzy Hubbert St John’s College
Winner: Amelia Macmillan / Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Inspirational Female Leader Sponsored by Sharon Hutchinson – Spendwise
Nominees:
Alison McCree Synchronicity Care Limited
Beryl Hankin Guru’s Boutique
Margaret Bradshaw Red Button Marketing & Training Limited
Marion Marsland Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA)
Sarah Jackson EMG Solicitors
Sue Jacques County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Tracey Tyler Focus Mental Health
Winner: Alison Stephenson / AAA Caring Caretaker Ltd
Judges Special Award
Winner Beryl Hankin / Guru’s Boutique Darlington