An Evening Full Of Sparkle And Champagne The Gloucestershire Media Women In Business Awards 2013

Each year, amid much gentle joking about 'extreme-feminism' and 'when are they launching the men in business awards?', the much-awaited Women In Business Awards are launched by Gloucestershire Media.

Last night (21st March 2013) saw the culmination of months of hard work by the organising team, with the much-anticipated awards ceremony. Despite a somewhat controversial move from the Cheltenham Racecourse to Hatherley Manor Hotel, sceptics and supporters alike were suprised by the calibre of the event and need not have worried about the impact of the move. The event had both record entrants and record numbers of attendees.

Angie and Victoria from apt attended the event and despite a habitual drive towards the Racecourse, they arrived on time and in one piece. Enjoying a glass (or three for Angie) of Champagne, the girls circulated through the pre-award networking, congratulating finalists, including five of our own clients. Moving through to the ceremony room for dinner, the decor did not disappoint with girly fairy lights, giant martini glasses full of heart shaped chocolates and a gorgeous black and red theme. A lovely touch was Twitter handles for each finalist, included in the programme and a live Twitter Feed on a screen to show your support!

Kicking off with a speech from Sarah Pullen, Managing Director of Gloucestershire Media, tables were encouraged to respond to a quiz about women with questions ranging from 'The number of shoes owned by your table' to 'The average turnover of Women Led Businesses'. On to dinner for a delicious three course meal, followed by an inspiring and interesting speech from Carla Buzasi, Editor-in-Cheif of the Huffington Post UK. Carla, originally from Stroud, offered an interesting insight into her job and her career progression, as well as offering inspiring words about Women in Business. Advocating that women will always learn and improve from those around them, in her experience female business leaders will always 'do things their way' and rarely believe that it is their acheivements rather than their team's.

So, without much further ado and too much more waffle, it's on to the awards...

Contribution to the community (sponsored by Gloucester Quays)

Winner: Debbie Moore of Cedars Health and Beauty in Gloucester, founder and trustee of the Cedars Amethyst Trust (client)

Runners up:

Chris Roberts @ChrisARoberts

Anna Woods of BPE Construction @bpeconstruction

Anna Buckland from Global Arts Inc Ltd., organiser of the Gloucester @HatFestival (client)

Women in the workplace (sponsored by EDF Energy)

Winner: WSP Solicitors @wspsolicitors

Runners up:

Expectations! Recruitment Services (client)

Attivo Group Ltd. @AttivoGroupUK

Communicator of the year (sponsored by Agenda)

Winner: Felicity Read of LeapfrogPR @Leapfrogbuzz

Runners up:

Sali Gray of the Pink Car Rally

Angela Edwards of Gloucester Rugby @GR1873Club

Julie Speed of BABTAC @BABTAC (client)

Naomi Attard of Big On Results @bigonresults

Award for innovation (sponsored by GE-Dowty)

Tait Technologies

Runners up:

Vanilla Moon @RelaxationVM

Jaz Media @jaz_media

Female Apprentice Development Award (sponsored by Gloucestershire College)

Winner: Agnieszka Soroka @peppercrescent

Runners up:

Laura Leigh Hairdressing @LauraLeighHair

Mary P's Day Nursery in Tewkesbury

Mentor of the Year (sponsored by Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce)

Winner: Jo Redfern of UCAS @redfernj

Runners up:

Felicity Read @LeapfrogBuzz

Kimberley Kirkham of GE Aviation @KirkyKim

New Business of the Year (sponsored by Holiday Inn Express)

Winner: Festival Law LLP @Festival_Law

Runners up:

The Baby Journey

Yaun Ltd

Melissa Antonious (client)

Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by SouthWest Business)

Winner: Lyndsey Burnett of @Dynmark

Runners up:

Sarah Churchill @artisan_kitchen

Laura Milne @finalfitformaula

Wendy Thomson WendyGoesGreen

Kimberley Hatherall Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham

Business of the Year (sponsored by client Tayabali-Tomlin)

Winner: Expectations! Recruitment Services (client)

Runners up:

Stuart Holmes Hair & Beauty Spa @stuart_holmes

Pepper Crescent @peppercrescent

Attivo Group Ltd @AttivoGroup

Woman of the Year (sponsored by Coutts)

Winner: Julie Moore of Green Gourmet Ltd @julielkmoore

Runners up:

Helen Hammond of Elephant Creative @helenhammond

Debbie Franklin Andrews & Partners @andrewsonline

And a very special, surprise award for Contribution to Business goes to the well-deserving Suzanne Hall-Gibbons @chambersuzanne

Congratulations to all the Finalists and Winners!

The Glamourous Finalists:

The lovely team from Expectations! Recruitment Services

Sarah Pullen, Managing Director of Gloucestershire Media

Women in Business Awards 2013

Suzanne Hall-Gibbins receiving her Contribution to Business award

If you fancy seeing what the evening was like for the fantastic finalists, check out the video below!