Businesswoman Shauna triumphs at Women in Business Awards
Local woman Shauna McCarney has recorded her second successive victory in the Small Business category of the Women In Business NI Awards.
The second annual Awards ceremony took place recently in the Ramada Hotel in Belfast, in association with Invest Northern Ireland, recognising the women at the cutting edge of the economy.
Supported by The Irish News, more than 470 women packed into the banquet hall, to celebrate the success of business leaders, entrepreneurs and senior managers at the only ceremony of its kind in Northern Ireland.
Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive of Women in Business NI, said: “Showcasing the best of what Northern Ireland business women have achieved in the past 12 months, these awards have grown in attendance by 25% on our inaugural awards last year. Such an increase in attendance proves to me how vitally important it is to celebrate and recognise those at the cutting edge of our economy, in what can only be described as the toughest of trading times in recent history.”
Among the winners of the ‘best small business’, for the second year running, was Shauna McCarney of local company, Heavenly Tasty Organics who, through drive and determination, has had her frozen organic baby food listed with several key retailers.
Also highly commended in this category was Elaine Quinn of Coalisland firm, Quinnfresh. Elaine was also shortlisted for the ‘Entrepreneurship/ Innovation’ award, which was won by Alison Hogg of Vita Liberata whose tanning products have seen their sales soar.
The award for ‘Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year’ was presented to Patricia Clements of Bradfor Ltd. There were some similarities between the career journeys of the winner and the event’s guest speaker, ‘bra queen’ Michelle Mone OBE.
Based in Rostrevor, Patricia starting work at the age of 15. Her career began in the textiles industry with celebrities like Joan Collins wearing her locally-made tailored wear!
She started making aircraft seat covers in the mid 1990s and now Bradfor Ltd employs almost 100 staff and supplies to major airlines across the world. Patricia also receives a place on Queen’s University of Belfast’s Business Leaders Programme.
Tracy Meharg, Executive Director of Business Solutions, Invest Northern Ireland, said: “Invest NI is delighted to continue its association with the Women in Business NI Awards. They represent a platform to showcase the innovation, leadership and contribution women are making to drive business development and growth across Northern Ireland. By celebrating the success and achievements of women, like those that have been recognised at the Women in Business NI Awards, we recognise the vital role women play in building confidence across the business community, and creating a vibrant culture of entrepreneurial spirit.”
Each of the shortlisted entrants for the 2012 Women in Business NI Awards had previously attended the first ever Women in Business NI Retreat at Galgorm Resort and Spa where they had the opportunity to network with the newly formed ‘Women in Business NI Awards Alumnae’ made up of the inaugural award winners.
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 over 850 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.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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