Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today encouraged women to pick up a pen and enter the second Women in Business NI Awards in association with Invest Northern Ireland.
The awards will take place on Thursday 22 November in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.
Minister Foster said: “Northern Ireland’s women have a reputation for working hard and achieving success, both locally and in the global marketplace and the second Women in Business NI Awards are a fitting acknowledgement of the contribution women make to our economy.
“These awards recognise all that is good about being a woman in business in Northern Ireland. I would encourage entrepreneurs and those in senior management positions to consider the categories, enter and seek the recognition that their efforts deserve.”
Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive of Women in Business NI, said: “It is vitally important that we recognise the effort being made by business owners and business leaders across Northern Ireland, especially in such tough trading times.
“The interest in the first Women in Business NI awards surpassed all our expectations in terms of the number of entries received and the number of attendees at the glittering ceremony. The entries produced a shortlist of outstanding women from which the eventual remarkable winners were judged.
“This year we have therefore decided to offer all finalists the opportunity to attend the first ever Women in Business NI Finalists Retreat. An exclusive and intimate event which will stimulate networking and personal development, the retreat will be aimed at inspiring those women who will reach the shortlist for this year’s awards.”
There are 10 categories open for entry – best new start up, entrepreneurship / innovation, outstanding management / leadership, best marketing campaign, best small business, best customer service, best in professional services, best young business woman of the year, advancing gender / diversity in the work place, best exporter.
Closing date for entry is Friday 28 September 2012.
Women in Business NI is the largest and fastest growing business network for female entrepreneurs and business leaders in Northern Ireland. Established in 2002, the network has almost 700 members spread throughout all industry sectors.
To join Women in Business NI, log onto www.womeninbusinessni.com. Follow Women in Business NI on facebook at www.facebook.com/womeninbusinessNI or on twitter @wibni.
Women in Business NI Awards categories 2012 are:
Best New Start Up
Entrepreneurship / Innovation
Outstanding Management / Leadership
Best Marketing Campaign
Best Small Business
Best Customer Service
Best in Professional Services
Best Young Business Woman of the Year
Advancing Gender / Diversity in the Work Place
Best Exporter
Women in Business NI Awards winners and shortlisted 2011 were:
Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year – Orla Corr OBE, The McAvoy Group
Best New Start Up – Barbara Hughes, Managing Director/Owner, Boozeberries Liqueurs
Shortlisted: Tracy Gilligan, Managing Director, Therapie Clinic
Maria Saddiq, Managing Director, O4 Research
Entrepreneurship / Innovation:
International – Orla Corr OBE, Business Development Director, The McAvoy Group
Indigenous – Shauna McCarney, Managing Director, Heavenly Tasty Organics
Shortlisted: Alyson Hogg, Managing Director, Vita Liberta
Elaine Willis, Linden Foods
Johann Muldoon, Director, Manor Architects
Lorraine McAleer, General Manager, Learning SPACE
Outstanding Management / Leadership – Ann McGregor, Chief Executive, NICC
Shortlisted: Gillian Creevy, Chief Executive, NICFC
Cathy McCorry, Managing Director, Grafton Recruitment
Helen Kirkpatrick, UTV Media
Patricia O’Hagan, Managing Director, Core Systems NI Ltd
Best in Marketing/Communications – Tracy Hamilton, Director, Mash Direct Ltd
Shortlisted: Ruth Morgan, Communications Executive, Belfast City Airport
Cathy Martin, Managing Director CMPR
Debbie McLorinan, Dunmurry Dental Practice
Best Exporter – Celine Doherty, Director, Re-Gen Waste Ltd
Shortlisted: Liesa Johnston, Business & Marketing Director, Genesis Crafty
Barbara Hughes, Managing Director/Owner, Boozeberries Liqueurs
Saleswoman of the Year – Heather Boyle, Business Advisor, A Slice of Heaven Ltd
Shortlisted: Belinda Moran, Advertising Sales Director, IN! Magazine
Angela Stewart, Autoline Insurance Group
Best in Professional Services – Phyllis Agnew, Senior Partner, Tughans
Shortlisted: Carrie McDonagh, Associate Partner, DPP
Caroline Keenan, Tax Director, ASM
Best Customer Service – Caroline Currie, Sales Director, Autoline Insurance Group
Shortlisted: Sarah Lyons, Creative Director, Redhead Conference & Exhibition
Brigid Derry, Managing Director, Derry Bros Shipping Ltd
Lisa Millar, Director, Beauty Culture
Best Sole Trader – Jacqueline McGonigle, Owner, Whatsonni.com
Shortlisted: Lorraine McAleer, General Manager, Learning SPACE
Loretta Gallagher, Owner, Lorsha
Young Businesswoman of the Year – Cara Macklin, Director, Macklin Group
Shortlisted: Jayne Finlay, Managing Director, Legal-Island
Elaine Willis, Linden Foods
Rebekah Patterson, Executive Sales Manager, Miglio Jewellery