Our Managing Director Georgina Hurcombe attended the 2017 NatWest everywoman awards as a finalist in the Athena Award category sponsored by Dell at The Dorchester in Mayfair yesterday. The NatWest everywoman awards celebrate the success of Britain’s top female entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey – from young businesses to those who have established multi-million pound organisations.

Twenty-one extraordinary women were finalists in the 15^th annual NatWest everywoman awards, the UK’s most prestigious initiative recognising the achievements of female entrepreneurs.

everywoman awards 2017 held at The Dorchester in Mayfair

Before the awards, British Prime Minister Theresa May stated: “I am pleased to support the 15^th NatWest everywoman awards. everywoman plays a crucial role in inspiring ambition amongst female business owners and recognising their success.”

everywoman 2017 finalists

Selected by a judging panel of 18 of the country’s most successful businesswomen including Chrissie Rucker MBE, Cath Kidston MBE, Rosaleen Blair CBE, Amanda Wakeley and Poonam Gupta OBE, this year’s finalists were chosen for the drive, ambition and tenacity they demonstrate in the face of adversity.

‘Spirit of everywoman’ award winner Prue Leith

Entrepreneurs recognised at the event included Prue Leith CBE, entrepreneur, restaurateur, TV presenter and 2017 Great British Bake off judge. Prue received one of the special accolades at the ceremony; the ‘Spirit of everywoman’ award – created to recognise a woman whose determination, commitment and pioneering spirit has helped change the landscape for women in business in the UK and paved the way for others.

‘Ambassador’ award winner Charlotte Tilbury

Also recognised was Charlotte Tilbury, founder of the eponymous beauty and skincare brand, who received the everywoman Ambassador Award, created to shine the spotlight on high-profile entrepreneurs and brands, recognising their business achievements and highlighting them as role models to young women considering entrepreneurship.

Some of the amazing event sponsors included Dell, Daily Mail, EDF Energy and The White Company who supplied all the finalists with lavish gift packs

LoveLove Films’ MD Georgina Hurcombe said of the event: “I was honoured to be a finalist at the 2017 NatWest everywoman awards among some truly inspirational and established women, many of whom turn over many, many millions. It’s really important to recognise the contribution that female entrepreneurs make to the country’s economy, and the everywoman awards do a great job of that! Well done to all the inspiring women that made it to the finals!”

This recognition of the contribution that female entrepreneurs make to the country’s economy could not have come at a more pertinent time. Research from NatWest shows that in 2003 when the NatWest everywoman Awards were launched, women were on average starting 60,000 businesses per year.* Today, this number has increased to 126,000 and these female-owned businesses are now delivering £3.51 billion to the British economy, which amounts to 7.3% of the UK’s economic growth.** It is predicted that by 2020, 50% of the working population will be self-employed, making everywoman’s mission to encourage and support women to build growth businesses as timely as it has ever been.***

Sources

Female Entrepreneurs, Women in Business – NatWest Business (2015)*

The Female Entrepreneur Economy – NatWest Business (2017)**

The evolution of the on-demand economy – People Per Hour (2015)***