Women from across the North East have been celebrated at the annual North East Businesswomen of the Year Awards (WIN).
The 2019 awards took place at the Grand Hotel at Gosforth Park, Newcastle, and showcased some of the top female talent from across the region.
The big winner of the evening was Sophie Milliken, owner of employment assessment firm Smart Resourcing Solutions.
Ms Milliken scooped the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship as well as the prize for the Best Small Business.
Commenting on the double win, she said: “I am beyond delighted to have won both the small business category and the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship and see this recognition topping off what has been, without doubt, my most successful year in business to date.
“I take pride in showcasing what is possible with focus, determination, a fantastic team and a supportive network.
“Our region is full of amazing women in business and I look forward to using my own business success to support and encourage other women who are starting out on their journeys.”
Other winners include Nicola Wood, from the Wonderful Wig Company, who walked away with the Best New Business award, and Northumbria Water, which won Employer of the Year.
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Jill Hudson, of Hudson Procurement, won the innovation award, while the Rising Star prize was given to Crystallised’s Lauren Watson.
Janine Marshall from RTC North won the Women in STEM award, while the Young Entrepreneur Award was presented to Go Gas & Power’s Lucy Walton.
The final award of the evening was the Role Model of the Year prize, which was given to Elaine Warbuton from QuantuMDx.
This year was the Win Awards 20th anniversary, with the organisation celebrating two decades of promoting women in business.
Nickie Gott, chair of the WIN Awards, said: “I want to congratulate all the winners of these awards. The standard has been exceptional. All these women are inspirational role models.
“When we set up these awards, we wanted to turn the spotlight on the amazing women we have in the region, who work across a whole range of businesses and organisations and I know we have achieved that.
"I am so proud of everyone who took part and are helping to inspire other women in the region.”
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The 2019 winners are:
- BEST NEW BUSINESS
Nicola Wood, The Wonderful Wig Company
- BEST SMALL BUSINESS
Sophie Milliken, Smart Resourcing Solutions
- EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
Northumbrian Water Ltd
- INNOVATION AWARD
Jill Hudson, Hudson Procurement
- RISING STAR – sponsored by Go North East
Lauren Watson, Crystallised
- ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR - decided by Judges
Elaine Warburton, QuantuMDx
- SUSAN DOBSON AWARD – sponsored by the Susan Dobson Memorial Fund
Sophie Milliken, Smart Resourcing Solutions
- WOMAN IN STEM AWARD – sponsored by REECE Foundation
Janine Marshall, RTC North
- YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
Lucy Walton, Go Gas & Power Ltd