ONE OF the North East’s most successful business women is set to speak at a prestigious awards ceremony.
Sara Davies, founder of Crafter’s Companion, has been announced as one of the speakers for the National Women in Business Awards.
The entrepreneur will deliver a speech at the Yorkshire and North East heat on September 29 in Newcastle.
The National Women in Business Awards, organised by leading business forum Forward Ladies, are designed to recognise the achievements of professional women across the country and inspire future generations.
The heat in Newcastle will be the first of the regional heats, which will take place across the UK as part of the awards.
Sara Davies, from County Durham, launched Crafter’s Companion while at the University of York, to provide craft essentials and tools to a growing market.
The company, which became an overnight success, now supplies products to a global market and has offices in the UK, Europe and the US.
“I was delighted to be asked to speak at the Newcastle heat for this year’s awards,” said Sara.
“Inspiring other entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams is something I feel strongly about, so it’s great to be given another platform to do that.”
Sara, who is part of this year’s judging panel, is also a founding member of the North East’s only all-female investment group, Gabriel.
Gabriel offer investment and mentoring to entrepreneurs in the region to help take their businesses to the next level.
“We’re so pleased to have Sara on board, both as a judge and as a speaker,” said Griselda Togobo, owner of Forward Ladies.
“These awards are not only about recognising and rewarding hard working and professional women, but also about inspiring the future generations to chase their dreams and who better to do that than someone as successful and experienced as Sara.
“This year’s awards have been more popular than ever and it’s great to see them grow year on year. Some of the nominees have achieved amazing things and it’s great to be able to acknowledge that.”
As part of the National Women in Business awards, there will also be heats held for The Midlands in Nottingham, on October 9, for London and South in London, on October 16 and for the North West and Isle of Man in Manchester on October 23.
The regional heats will culminate in a final awards ceremony, which will be held at the Queen’s Hotel, Leeds on November 20 2015.
Each of the nominees will be judged on six key criteria, including personal integrity and resilience, community impact, sustainability, leadership and strategic direction, financial performance and innovation.
For more information about the awards or about Forward Ladies visit the website forwardladies.com.