By ROBERT GIBSON rgibson@cngroup.co.uk

Last updated at 15:26, Thursday, 08 November 2012

THE shortlist for one of the region’s most prestigious business awards is once again dominated by Tynedale’s high-flying females.

The annual North East Woman Entrepreneur Awards, run by Women into the Network (WIN), seeks to celebrate the finest business leaders and entrepreneurial talent in the area.

Among this year’s finalists are Kiln Pit Hill’s Sarah Pittendrigh, of Simply Bows and Chair Covers, who is up for both the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship and Best Small Business.

Judith Mathias, of Hexham business Home Scents Ltd, is also in the running for the latter, as well as the Best Creative Business award.

Liz Prudhoe, from Hexham’s Adapt, meanwhile, is shortlisted in the Best Social Enterprise category, while Best Woman in International Business could go to Gillian Rice of Prudhoe’s Tyne Valley Plastics.

The awards, now in their 13th year, are focused this time round on leadership, particularly among those who have excelled at priming their businesses to be as competitive as possible, in keeping with the spirit of the 2012 Olympics.

Organisers say the standard of entries has been higher than ever, with judges having a hard time whittling them down to the final shortlist.

This year also sees the launch of the new Key Woman of the Year award, which will acknowledge the role of one North-East businesswoman in the transformation, development or growth of a company.

WIN chairman and founder of events management company She’s Gott It!, Nickie Gott, said: “This is our favourite time of year when we get to call the finalists to break the news to them that they’re up for one of these prestigious awards.

“The standard this year is better than any previous year and the award ceremony should be a fantastic event to celebrate the achievements of these women.”

The winners will be announced at a dinner and awards ceremony tonight.

First published at 07:34, Wednesday, 07 November 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk