Applications now open for this year’s North East Women in Business Awards
Are you a woman in business? Celebrate your success and promote your business by entering this year's WIN Awards...
Eagerly anticipated by women in business across the region, the North East Business Women of the Year Awards (also known as the WIN Awards) recognise, reward and promote the achievements of women in business across the North East.
Now in its 21st year, these prestigious awards are a great chance to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the fantastic businesswomen in our region.
We caught up with Nickie Gott, Chair of WIN, who said: “I am so delighted that these awards are back to showcase the amazing female talent we have in our region. Women are often less likely to shout about their successes, and this year we urge them to step out from behind their masks, in particular the ones we have all worn for the last couple of years and be recognised in true style at a masked ball. This event is such an important one on the North East calendar as it inspires others and shows what we can achieve, for ourselves, our communities and our region.
“More gender diversity in a business has a positive impact on a company’s bottom line and these awards are a great way to highlight how that happens, through the achievement of women.”
Key Dates
Applications open – 16 June 2022
Applications close – 26 August 2022
Judging day – 5 October 2022
Shortlist announcement – TBC
WIN Awards Event – 28 October 2022 at The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park
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Who should enter?
Any woman, who operates or owns a business or a woman working within a business, organisation or social enterprise in the North East.
It doesn’t matter if the business has just started or been trading for years, there are a number of categories to choose from.
If you make the shortlist for a category award, the judges may consider putting you forward for the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.
How to enter
Fill out an online application on the WIN Awards website.
Award Entry Fee: £20 +VAT per entry
*max three categories per entry
You will receive a confirmation email once you have sent in your entry (if you do not receive an email please contact the awards team via email at [email protected] or via any of the social pages).
Categories
BEST SMALL BUSINESS
This Award welcomes entries from all businesses with less than 50 employees. The entrants will demonstrate strong brand values and clear evidence that the business is moving forward as well as excellent customer service. This award celebrates the success of women leading a small business that has demonstrated a range of solutions to the business challenges that small and growing businesses face today. The winner will have demonstrated solutions and determination that have not only improved the company landscape but have helped achieve business success.
What the judges are looking for:
- Businesses trading for 2 years or more from 22nd November 2019
- Businesses with less than 50 employees
- A unique selling point – what are you doing over and above your competitors? How do you differentiate yourself?
- Examples of how the business has overcome challenges and achieved growth
Testimonials from staff and partners are recommended.
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BEST NEW BUSINESS
This Award will go to a woman who has launched a new venture with passion, enthusiasm and an unwavering desire to succeed. The judges are looking for a woman who started trading less than two years ago, with a great idea and who looks destined for long-term success.
What the judges are looking for:
- Businesses trading for 6 months but less than 2 years
- Motivation to setting up and running the business & level of innovation and service
- Business potential and future growth through a strong vision and strategy
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
Vitality, ambition and determination are important in every business. This Award is for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year, under 30, who has demonstrated talent in starting her own business and becoming a strong leader. The winner will be recognised for the talents prevalent in a young woman who demonstrated vision, persistence and determination.
What the judges are looking for:
- Businesses trading for 18 months or more
- Aged under 30
- Motivation to setting up and running the business & level of innovation in the idea and service
- Growth potential
- The judges recommend testimonials from staff, partners and any support agencies you may have accessed.
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ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
Nominations for this award are made by the award committee, previous WIN award winners and judges and are selected for a woman who has done something incredible to inspire other women and girls and made a difference in their community and the region.
The winner will be a woman who has inspired, enabled or supported other women inside or outside their business in a significant way.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
This award serves to highlight the excellent achievements of organisations and leaders who have shown commitment and motivation in driving the diversity agenda. The Awards recognise the achievements of both men and women who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing gender equality and diversity in their workplace or business.
What the judges are looking for:
- Nominations from, or on behalf of, companies of any size that have shown exceptional commitment to gender equality in the workplace
- Demonstration of a forward-thinking, proactive and creative approach to enabling women to realise their full potential
- A company or person who has shown commitment to a positive and inclusive workplace culture which enables women to excel
- The judges recommend testimonials from women within the workplace with examples of support
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RISING STAR
This award is designed to recognise emerging talent and is open to women who have already made a mark in a business environment. The winner will be ‘one to watch’ in terms of future possibilities in their career. The winning entrant could become a future leader, be already in management and leading a team or rising through the ranks.
What the judges will be looking for:
- Examples of how their activities or achievements have brought about success in the business they are in for themselves or others
- The drive and determination of the entrant and their potential to grow
- The judges recommend testimonials from colleagues, peers and managers
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INNOVATION AWARD
The winner of this award will be a woman who is able to demonstrate that she has employed innovation in products, services, people or processes; and shown how it has been to the benefit of your customers, your people and your business. The Innovation Award will go to the woman who has been able to use innovative practices and ideas that have had the greatest impact on an organisation, company or industry.
What the judges are looking for:
- A businesswoman who is able to demonstrate their innovations with examples that clearly show results
- A clear demonstration of the results of innovation within businesses – how has innovation contributed to your success?
- The judges are looking to celebrate innovations of all types within the workplace no matter the business size, shape or industry.
The judges recommend testimonials from staff and partners.
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LEADERSHIP AWARD
This award is to recognise an excellent team leader, highly respected by all team members. This woman will be a respected team leader or manager who has supported the growth of a business or organisation by motivating staff, leading to high morale and is instrumental in the delivery and success the team has achieved.
What the judges are looking for:
- A leader who has shown an ability to develop effective relationships, generate energy and enthusiasm among their colleagues/team and recognises their achievements
- Someone who demonstrably enables their colleagues at all levels with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of service for their customers
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WOMAN IN STEM AWARD
This award recognises those women who have achieved significant success through either, science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM) in their industry, on an individual basis, or through their leadership of others. As a result of their performance, they have positively impacted their organisations and been a role model for women entering these sectors.
What the judges are looking for:
- Positive impact and relevance of your work to advancing STEM in the North East
- Evidence and a passion for communication and community engagement to promote awareness and understanding in your STEM field.
- The judges are looking to celebrate a woman in STEM in the region no matter the business or organisation size, shape or industry.
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