Devon triumphs in Venus Awards National Finals

The National Venus Awards, now in its third year, celebrated the success of its National winners for 2016 with regional winners, Associate, Regional and National Sponsors, guests and supporters in the beautiful surroundings of the Hampshire-based Hand-Picked Audley Woods Hotel on Thursday 7th July 2016.

The Venus Awards National Finals saw 70 regional winners compete in their respective categories for a coveted National Venus Award trophy, and where the bringing together of the Venus family of inspirational and influential women from across several counties and regions made for a remarkable and celebratory afternoon.

The deserving National winners were chosen from a massive 4846 nominations and 1333 applications as well as a grand total of 5862 votes being cast. Devon’s regional partner Alexis Bowater said: “This is a wonderful achievement for our Devon finalists, representing our county at a national level and winning in four categories. It just goes to show what an extraordinarily high level of skill, talent and business acumen we have here in this glorious county. Let’s hope we can carry on showing the country, year on year, what outstanding businesswomen live and work here in Devon.”

Sharing their experiences of overcoming adversity, building success, and transforming lives with the assembled guests were Inspirational Speakers Michelle Mills-Porter, a multi-award winning business woman who was caught in the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and survived, Barbara Burgess, Success Coach and Business Mentor, and Jemma Cooper, multi-award winning young entrepreneur and National Venus Awards Ambassador.

National Sponsors of this year’s Venus Awards National Finals are Audley Woods Hotel, BBX, Extra Help, Barbara Burgess, Love Urban Beauty, Neolimn Graphic Design, and The Photo Rooms.  

Of the year-on-year growth of the Venus Awards Founder Tara Howard, herself a business woman and mother of four, says,

“It really is inspiring to see how much support and enthusiasm there is for the awards and what a difference they can make.  I’ve even had past winners confess to me that the Awards have changed their lives as well as increase their business – that’s really powerful, and drives me forward to expand and launch the Awards in new regions to recognise more deserving women.”

Sally Allen-Gerard of Wizard Jeans, herself a National Winner in 2015 and also sponsor of the Entrepreneur of the Year in the Devon Venus Awards for 2015, said of the afternoon’s celebrations. 

“Another National Finals of the Venus Awards – and another inspiring day. When you are starting out having any achievement recognised is extremely important as it’s so encouraging and can help take you to the next stage. By the time you get to my age with over 40 years of business behind you, a Venus Award is no less important. In fact the appreciation and recognition is even more rewarding. The Venus Awards have not only made this possible they have also created a supportive network of like-minded businesswomen and are constantly adding to the value of Venus in our lives.”

Peter Gilbert, Operations Manager of Playgolf Bournemouth and Sponsor of the Networker of the Year category in the Devon Venus Awards for 2015 and 2016, says, “It was an honour to be invited to the Venus Awards National Finals and to present the Manager of the Year Award. As always with a Venus event, it was great to meet and mingle with so many business women from across the South of England. The social atmosphere provides the perfect environment to network and discuss relevant business matters, whilst at the same time, listen to the speakers share the fascinating experiences that have shaped how they approach their businesses, both on a moral and operational level day-to-day. It was marvelous to see so many happy faces throughout the day.”

Devon Venus Awards regional winners carried off the National Title for Business of the Year sponsored by Sampson Hall and was won by Kathy Murdoch of Westward Living and Ocean Kave. Kathy has a strong work ethic and works hard to provide a balanced, loving environment for her young family whilst running the Westward Living group that promotes everything fabulous about its locality.

Louise Pen-Collings of Extra Help Plymouth won the category of Employee of the Year sponsored by Exeter Daily. Having joined Extra Help in 2013 in order to run the Plymouth Franchise, Louise has pushed the business forward led by her passion and determination. The new franchise in Plymouth continues to prosper thanks to the hard work of Louise, growing by more than 100% over the last year.

Laura Wall of Laura Wall Art won the category of Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Wizard Jeans. Led by her incredible passion and confidence Laura produces original fine art and illustration for companies such as galleries and children’s book publishers. With her entrepreneurial instinct, Laura runs her own gallery in Teignmouth, as well as undertaking freelance work that includes school talks and painting murals.

Louise Pasterfield of Sponge UK won the category of Online Business Award sponsored by Plymouth Science Park. As a hands-on and inspirational leader, Louise is rapidly growing a world-class e-learning company. Sponge UK works with global organisations to transform their training into engaging online learning.