The semi-finalists for the Dorset Venus Awards have been announced at a glamorous event held at Breeze Volkswagen, Poole.
Out of a record 1301 nominations and 402 applications, the entrants to the 2015 Dorset Venus Awards have been whittled down to 80 women and men from across Dorset’s business elite. The shortlist was announced at a glamorous event which took place at the dazzling Breeze Volkswagen Showroom in Poole, in celebration of those who have made it to the next stage of the competitive awards process.
Dubbed by Channel 4 as “the working women’s Oscars”, the Dorset Venus Awards acknowledge inspirational working women from across Dorset who truly excel in the world of business. The awards host 15 categories which celebrate the achievements of phenomenal women across Dorset, whilst the “Employer of the Year” category is judged based on the company itself. Men can also be acknowledged with a Venus Award in the “Employee of the Year Category”.
Semi-finalists were announced in the following categories:
· Dutton Gregory Small Business Award:
o Sarah Carlile – Coconut Creatives
o Michelle Cheeseman – Munchkins play Café
o Dee Clayton – Simply Amazing Training Ltd.
o Sam Firkin – Dorchester Physio
o Melanie Thomsett – Sensory Smart
· Breeze Volkswagen Influential Woman Award:
o Chris Buckingham – Buckingham Healthcare
o Gill Donnell – Successful Women
o Margaret Farman – NHS
o Georgina McBurney – Wiltshire Social Services
o Lynn Steblecki – Lyn Howard-Steblecki
· Tigerlilly Nails New Business Award:
o Lisa Niemer – Clinic Visjeune
o Jennifer Poyner – Jennifer Poytner Flowers
o Oxana Ruckhaber – Minster Designs Bridal Boutique
o Susan Walker – The Little Sewing Company
o Alison Williams – Ministry of Dog Ltd.
· Desixn Digital Media and Online Business Award:
o Debra Adams – Arena4Finance
o Lindsay Anderson – Shop Dorset
o Charlotte Hughes – Sophia’s Choice
o Emilia Hyland – Bright Horizon Accountancy
o Tara Mussel – Ratio
· Bournemouth University Inspirational Woman Award:
o Lynn Butterworth – Correli
o Jaya Da Costa – Dorset Blind Association
o Wendy Imashev – Seamless Social Support Services
o Rosanna Mead – Musica
o Emma Willis – Shine Cancer Support
· Stewart Gardens Centre Lifetime Achievement Award:
o Barbara Cox- Nutrichef/BC Nutrition Ltd.
o Linda Eve – Evenlines
o Sally Harvey – AOK Rucksack Appeal
o Joanne Keeling – Izzy and Ollie Ltd.
o Mandy Payne – Spotcheckers
· Play Golf Networker of the Year:
o Zelda De Hollander – Studio Shotz Photography
o Barbara Fowler – My Baby Log
o Sue Franklin – Recruiting Together Ltd.
o Jan Peters – Katalytik
o Caroline Swaine – Inxpress
· Mouchel Entrepreneur of the Year:
o Cheryl Dennet – Local Eye Magazines
o Tara Mussell – Ratio
o Hollie Power – Holliepower.com
o Simone Thomas – Simone Thomas & Crowning Glory
o Cathy Warne – Catwards Draughting Limited
· Exterion Media Marketing and PR Award:
o Sunny Bird-Little Bird PR
o Sharon Canning – Move On Rentals
o Jenny Brandon – Scape Interiors
o Sarah Uzzell – Whitehall Hospitality Ltd
o Susanna Woods – Autism Wessex
· SMART Business of the Year Award:
o Helen Challis – Quay Holidays
o Julie Cook – SOS Recruitment
o Lisa Delahunty – Waste Management Facilities Ltd.
o Helen Molloy – Forum Jewellers Ltd
o Rosie Wallace – Marsham Court Hotel Ltd
Speaking at the Semi-Finalist Announcement Evening, founder of the Dorset Venus Awards, Tara Howard has said:
“We have been absolutely blown away with the amount of nominations and entries into this year’s Dorset Venus Awards. The calibre of entries was particularly high and I know that it was no easy decision to create the semi-finalist shortlist for each category. However, the chosen semi-finalists all had the edge to stand out against stiff competition with truly outstanding award entries. I know it will be even more challenging for our judges to choose the final winners with such phenomenal semi-finalists. Good luck to all!”
For the full list of all semi-finalists in each of the twelve categories visit: www.venusawards.co.uk/dorset
To find out more, or to arrange an interview, please contact Darren Northeast of Darren Northeast PR (working on behalf of Venus Awards) on 01202 676762 or [email protected].
Matt Jenkins
