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The shortlist has been announced for an awards ceremony celebrating the best of North East women in business.

The NE Women In Business Awards will return on October 28 after a two-year gap due to the pandemic. Categories at the awards – which are in their 21st year – feature prizes for new and small businesses, young entrepreneurs, women in STEM and the top prize of the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.

Nickie Gott, chair of the judging panel, said: “I genuinely cannot believe the amount and calibre of entries we have received this year. The two-year gap we had due to Covid was such a miss on the business calendar in our region.

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“The interest and entries this year really does demonstrate women in our region need their time to shine and be recognised for the huge impact they make in business. The WIN awards have been going for more than 20 years and still have a big part to play in seeking out our female role models and showing our next generation of female talent that if we can do it so can you.

“I am really excited for the awards dinner. It always offers so much inspiration to those who attend and is also a chance to celebrate, network and let off some steam on the dance floor at the end of the evening.

“Good luck to all who are shortlisted, you are making the judges job extra hard this year.”

The awards will take place at the Grand Hotel at Gosforth Park on October 28.