The Venus Awards are back!

Firm support from banking and the legal system kicked off this year’s Venus Awards sponsorship breakfast in Exeter today.

The Bishop Fleming offices played host to the prestigious event where businesses from across the region were invited to hear about the NatWest Venus Awards, which were specifically created to recognise and reward local women in business.

Last year’s Devon awards saw 1,400 nominations, hundreds of businesses involved and 12 winners. 200 people were present at the regional finals at Exeter University’s Great Hall.

Two Devon finalists Miriam Badabi, owner of Purity Boutique Spa and Sarah Cressall from Creation Station scooped the national prizes in their categories at a glittering ceremony in London.

Award-winning accountants Bishop Fleming and NatWest Bank have already pledged their support for the awards in Devon.

Award organiser Celia Delaney, says: “This year’s awards are going to be bigger and better than ever before. Last year we had an outstanding turnout, this year we are hoping that the women, and businesses of Devon, will help us to build on that success to celebrate their amazing achievements.”

Hazel Tucker, Director of Business Services at Bishop Fleming says, "We started out our journey last year as one of the first companies to come on board with the awards and the reaction we have had has been fantastic.

It's opened up all kinds of opportunities and conversations for us, and having our category's winner, Sarah Cressall, crowned National Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013 really was the icing on the cake." 

Sam Curtis, NatWest Director for Exeter and South Devon, said: "We are delighted to support the Devon Venus Small Business award for the second year running. The awards have been a great encouragement to female entrepreneurs and have showcased some fantastic role models.

NatWest is passionate about supporting women in business, and has a network of over 200 accredited Women in Business Specialists across the UK delivering business expertise to help women business owners achieve their ambitions –helping them to expand their networks, source new business opportunities, facilitate business growth and signpost personal development opportunities.”

All present at the sponsorship breakfast left keen to support the awards and with a greater understanding of how important women in business are.

The Venus Awards Devon are due to launch in Devon in April 2014 and are looking for female friendly business to sponsor the awards. If you feel your business qualifies and would benefit from engaging with business women on a more personal level, you can contact Celia Delaney of SpeakingSuccess who is spearheading the awards in Devon at events@celiadelaney.co.uk.

You can follow the Venus Awards at www.facebook.com/pages/Venus-Awards-Devon or on Twitter: @WomenAwards.