A record seventeen Merseyside hopefuls are amongst the outstanding female entrepreneurs revealed as finalists at the 2023 Enterprise Vision Awards; the UK’s largest business awards dedicated solely to women.
Now in its 12th year, the EVAS shines the spotlight on women from all business types. From social enterprise and small artisan businesses to ground-breaking innovators and global brands, the awards showcase their successes and achievements.
These women were selected from almost 1500 nominations and entries. The finalists are the trailblazers and game-changers; the role models who will inspire the next generation of female entrepreneurs and encourage more women and girls to aim high. These women play an active role in the community, are important contributors to the economy and deserve to be recognised for their accomplishments.
The Rose Review, published by the awards’ headline sponsor, NatWest, show that over 150,000 new all-women led companies were founded last year – more than ever before. A fifth of new incorporations in 2022 were all-female led, a figure that has risen from 16% in 2018. The biggest leap was among 16 to 25-year-old female founders, which rose by almost a quarter. Whilst these figures are encouraging, the stark fact remains that only 1 in 3 entrepreneurs in the UK are women.
There are 18 awards to be won as well as the highly coveted Outstanding Achievement Award which has previously been won by Deborah Dixon, Maggie Oliver and Susanna Lawson.
The high calibre of the entries has increased the pressure on the judging panel who will be responsible for choosing this year’s winners at the next stage when the finalists attend an online interview.
Dr Natalie Kenny of BioGrad said:
“As a previous winner of the Business Woman award in 2021, I appreciate the value of the EVAS and the recognition they bring to female entrepreneurs who are striving to make lasting impacts in their respective industries. I am very excited to meet the finalists and learn more about their incredible business and achievements, I wish the best of luck to all finalists!”
The winners will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Friday 29 September. For further information about the finalists or to book tickets to attend please click here.
The full list of 2023 Enterprise Vision Awards Finalists can be found here:
- Afrah Qassim of Savera UK (Diverse Business)
- Ainsley Briscoe of Nugent (Not For Profit)
- Andrea and Charlotte Fogg of Maria Fogg Family Law (Family Business)
- Claire Cook of Employability Solutions (Best Business)
- Jessica Hampson of CEL Solicitors (Employer)
- Kate Hill of Lola Star (Sustainable Business)
- Kelly Bond of Elle Sera (Customer Services)
- Layla Flaherty of Urban Paws UK (Diverse Business)
- Louisa Roberts of Butterworth Spengler Insurance Brokers (Professional Services)
- Margaret Bell of Naturally Empowered Health (Health & Wellbeing)
- Maria Challis of James James Kitchens (Best Business)
- Maria Mappouridis of The Vibe Café (Hospitality Industry)
- Nina Hinton of Open Awards (Professional Services)
- Paula Chadwick of the Roy Castle Lung Foundation (Inspirational Woman)
- Raina Heverin of Supplywell (Professional Services)
- Rebecca Garcia of Cubode (Digital Industry)
- Sarah Jackson of Hatters Digital Agency (Employer)
READ MORE: Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2023 Finalists announced
