Finalists from across Lancashire named as women's business awards prepare for glittering ceremony

This year will see the 10th anniversary of the The Enterprise Vision Awards which aim to recognise exceptional female entrepreneurship in the North West and this year has attracted a record number of nominations and entries.

From start-ups, young entrepreneurs and family businesses to global organisations and third sector businesses, from boerewors, female health supplements, post breast cancer lingerie to bee keepers, camper van hire, whistle blowers and game changer.

Coral Horn, founder of the EVAS said: “Women have faced huge economic, logistical and emotional challenges as a result of the pandemic. It’s been an absolute joy to see the resilience and strength of these remarkable entrepreneurs who have adapted and flourished.

"Every nomination and entry deserves a huge round of applause and our thirty seven judges concur that the high quality of entries made their decisions exceptionally difficult – it’s interviews and voting next, then we’re ready for the celebration of the decade."

Heather Waters, regional enterprise manager for NatWest, headline sponsor of the EVAS since 2013 said: “The calibre of the entries this year is out of this world. This has made the judging process very challenging. I want to congratulate every woman who is short-listed; they are all outstanding and amazing role models.”

Paul Fox of the Fox Group said “As a proud and well-established family business, The Fox Group are delighted to sponsor the EVA’s Family Business Award.

“We have been following the EVAs closely over recent years and encouraging females within the construction industry has always been an initiative we have actively championed with many females leading the way across our Group of companies.”

Virtual interviews will take place over the next couple of weeks to decide who will win a coveted EVA statue in each of the 18 categories.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Friday, September 24 at The Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Finalists:

Beauty Industry, sponsored by FMB Kendal: