Devon & Cornwall Venus Awards 2018 winners announced

Winners of the Devon & Cornwall Venus Awards 2018 in association with Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management were announced at a Grand Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Crown Plaza Plymouth on 27th April 2018.

More than 250 guests, finalists and sponsors from across the South West attended the inspirational Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner of the Devon & Cornwall Venus Awards 2018, held at the Crown Plaza Hotel Plymouth on 27th April 2018.

Alexis Bowater of Bowater communications, the Regional Partner for the Devon & Cornwall Venus Awards, said, "This is the fifth year of the Venus Awards in Devon and the first year for Cornwall. I am delighted with the response which remains consistently strong with more than 1200 nominations and applications received over 15 categories."

The Venus Awards - dubbed by Channel 4 as "The Working Women's Oscars" - celebrate the vital contribution that women in business make to the local, regional, and national economy, and are unique in that anyone can nominate a friend, client or family member.

Hosts for the evening's inspiring celebrations were Tara Howard, founder of Venus Awards, and Alexis Bowater

Every sponsor emphasised the outstanding calibre of their category Finalists when presenting the winner with their Venus Awards trophy.  

David Barr of South West Business Connections said, "The Venus Awards are a brilliant thing to promote business and especially women in business." When asked how the process has been for him, he replied "It's been a nightmare but in a really, really good way.  While Rachel and Bell & Loxton had a great product, the other four finalists were amazing as well."

Tracie Lewis & Fleur Lewis of Bishop Fleming said. "Sponsoring a Venus award is a great way to promote your own business. We've been supporting the Venus Awards in Devon since launch, and now that it's reached Cornwall as well it gives us the opportunity to meet even more women across the region. We have seen the Venus Awards grow from something quite small to something quite big and are so proud to be part of it."

Rob Bayliss of Atkins-Ferrie Wealth Management said, "We've seen, from this evening, that there is a huge amount of passion and enthusiasm for Venus, and the excitement from the finalists, winners and participants is there for everyone to see."

This year's Charity Sponsor is St Luke's Hospice an independent Plymouth based charity providing specialist advice and support to people with progressive life-limiting illnesses in Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall.

The roll call of nominees, finalists, winners and sponsors is a testament to the growing appeal of the Venus Awards in the Devon & Cornwall Region. This year's winners will now progress to the Venus Awards National Finals to be held in the Summer of 2018.

Winners of the Devon & Cornwall Venus Awards 2018 in association with Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management are:

Business Mother of the Year Award sponsored by Heart FM / This is Global
Naomi Thomas (The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation)

Company of the Year Award sponsored by Sampson Hall
Warrens Bakery

Customer Service Award sponsored by Brend Hotels Group
Kelly Widley (Pier Point Torquay)

Digital & Online Media Award sponsored by Falmouth University
Katie Goode (Triangular Pixels)

Employer of the Year Award sponsored by Bishop Fleming:
Lisa Prescott (Chalk & Ward Advertising)

Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsored by Cornish Mutual:
Katrina Green (Bay Care Domiciliary Care)

Green Business of the Year Award:
Marie Louise (Marie Louise Maternity)

Influential Woman of the Year Award sponsored by Bishop Fleming:
Helen Tite (iCareiMove Ltd)

Inspirational Woman Award sponsored by Wizard Jeans:
Debbie Humberstone (The Project)

Inspirational Woman in Science & Technology Award:
Dr. Lucy Obolensky(Plymouth University)

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management:
Gillian Groves (The Treatment Loft)

Marketing & PR Award sponsored by South West Business Connections:
Rachel Bell (Bell and Loxton)

Networker of the Year Award
Hazel Parsons (Hazel Parsons Wedding & Event Consultancy)

Small Business Award sponsored by BBX
Joint winners: Lucy Cox & Lerryn Clare (Halto)

Women in Property & Construction Award sponsored by Constructive Coaching
Katy Toms (WSP)