Biographies
The Artemis Award
Kate Belmonte
LB Signs and The Celebration Banner Collection
After facing redundancy, Kate decided to follow in her sign-writing father’s footsteps and launched LB Signs, providing corporate signage. This was shortly followed by the Celebration Banner Collection, offering consumers bespoke banners for special events.
Achieving this feat at the age of just 22 was all the more impressive as Kate suffers from psoriatic arthritis. She has been forced to balance her work and lifestyle to manage her illness, but thanks to her first rate offering, product knowledge, customer service and attention to detail, has grown a successful business with a turnover that is doubling year on year.
Francesca Cragg
Revitalize Hair & Beauty Spa
Having started her career in hairdressing aged just 13, Francesca was destined for success. At just 17, she was one of the youngest people in the country to gain the NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in hairdressing.
Francesca launched Revitalize, a hair and beauty spa with her sister in 2007. The salon has gone from strength to strength and boasts 12 members of staff and a loyal customer base. She understands the value of training and mentoring, giving up her personal time to ensure staff have the necessary skills to succeed. She is passionate about the environment, and the salon is the first in the UK to be run using renewable and solar energy.
Lora Leedham
Jewellery By Lora Leedham
With initial funding of £2,500 Lora was able to purchase essential materials to successfully set up her jewellery company. She quickly built her reputation after receiving a commission from the Duchess of Cornwall for a necklace, which in turn led to Lora designing a tie-pin for Prince Charles and a range carrying the Highgrove crest.
Lora feels her success is attributable to her drive, enthusiasm and patience, and she is honoured that she has people contacting her to express how she has inspired them. Her greatest achievement is opening a gallery to showcase her jewellery alongside other designers and next year will see some of her designs launching in high street stores.
The Demeter Award
Rachel Gurney-Rackham
R G Rackham Ltd
After college, Rachel began working in the 120-year-old family building business. Sadly due to changes within the industry and economic downturn she had no choice but to close it. Undeterred, she started all over again, putting her house up as security, and launched her own building company, R G Rackham Ltd in August 2008.
Facing an uphill struggle setting up during a recession, and being one of the few women in a male-dominated industry, Rachel worked seven days a week, whilst studying for a BSc in building surveying. The company has seen huge success, with nearly 900 jobs undertaken in just over a year, and most new business secured via word-of-mouth referrals.
Karen McQuade
The UK Foodhall Ltd
While working as a Sales Manager at a fresh meat trading company, Karen decided to improve school dinners by developing and launching a healthy chicken product for school children. This led to her launching The UK Foodhall in May 2007, raising the start up funds single-handedly. The company produces and delivers healthy, British-sourced food and is now the biggest supplier of school food in the country, delivering to 10,000 schools.
It is the first food service company in the UK to be awarded the Red Tractor independent mark of quality that guarantees high standards of food safety and hygiene, animal welfare and environmental protection.
Wendi Sellen
Nibbles of Worthing Ltd
When Wendi Sellen lost her job due to ill health she had no option other than to claim benefits to support her and her son. From humble beginnings when she would make and deliver 10-20 sandwiches daily working around her son’s school hours, Wendi started to grow Nibbles, securing contracts with local businesses in the area.
Today, Wendi has contracts with schools, hospitals and other public services as well as private businesses and hopes to launch her first independent outlet in the next year. She credits her stubborn nature and determination for her success.
The Athena Award
Joanna Chin
Langland
At the age of just 24, Joanna Chin was a Field Director for a market research company, responsible for over 600 staff across the UK. After three years as a full-time mum her husband unexpectedly lost his job and the pair decided jointly to set up their own agency. Within four days of this decision they had an office and secured a £40,000 bank loan. With almost immediate success, the loan was paid off within four months.
The company has seen steady growth ever since, even during the difficult conditions of 2008/9, and now boasts 59 permanent staff, an annual turnover of £8m and profit margins that continue to outperform the sector.
Juliet Davenport
Good Energy Group
Following a foray with the European Commission, Juliet began working with consultancy firm ESD which led to her starting up her own 100% renewable energy company. Juliet’s first challenge was to hire staff, find suitable offices and organise contracts and leases. But her hard work paid off and the company now supplies to over 25,000 homes and businesses, taking on almost 1,000 renewable generators and repowering a wind farm in Cornwall.
Juliet has had to compete against the six large energy suppliers that dominate the market and keep on top of regulations, but defiant in her mission has managed to keep her goals in sight. This year she was rewarded with an honorary doctorate from Plymouth University.
Diahanne Rhiney
15 Degrees Limited
Having held a lifelong interest in marketing, Diahanne Rhiney worked for several different companies, before setting up her own agency in January 2004. She soon spotted a gap in the market for an agency that specialised in targeting marginalised groups, primarily those in multi-ethnic communities. Her projects have included collaborating with the National Blood Service to reach the black and Asian community, and working with Hercules Energy Drink and the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.
Diahanne also chairs the Harmony Foundation CIC (Community Interest Company), an organisation that campaigns to help young people who are at risk of failing in the educational system.
The Hera Award
Lyn Cecil
Secretaries Plus and The Plus Team
From a modest upbringing, Lyn was set on the idea of recruitment as a career, and in her 20s spotted a gap in the market to provide top-end PAs. She launched Secretaries Plus, growing it to incorporate a small, dedicated team of leading recruiters.
In 2002, at the peak of the company’s success, Lyn discovered that her financial director had been embezzling money to the tune of over half a million pounds. Forced into receivership, Lyn showed her drive and ambition by building Secretaries Plus back up, and whilst she acknowledges that this year has been a challenge to her industry her belief in the company’s superior offering has seen them meet ambitious targets against the odds.
Karen Earl
Synergy
When she followed her PR boss to join a start up business, little did Karen know that it would propel her to become the best-known woman in the sponsorship industry. Karen managed the prestigious B&H Cup cricket account so successfully that when she launched her business in 1984, B&H became her first client along with Cornhill Insurance, sponsors of Test cricket.
Karen’s passion for sport undoubtedly served her as well then as it does today. She broke ground with her vision for an impartial agency. She quickly grew her business, and now attracts some of the biggest names in the industry including Guinness, British Airways, and Coca Cola.
Jan Ward
Corrotherm International Ltd
Jan always knew she wanted to work in international trade. Having left school aged 16, she worked at a number of companies exporting engineering materials, carving a niche for herself by specialising in dealing with clients based in the Middle East.
Jan set up Corrotherm International in 1992, specialising in supplying high grade metals, having impressed her bank manager with a thoroughly researched business plan. The company has since expanded significantly, with offices now in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Libya, India and Iran, in addition to a team of 14 in the UK.
Kate Belmonte
LB Signs and The Celebration Banner Collection
After facing redundancy, Kate decided to follow in her sign-writing father’s footsteps and launched LB Signs, providing corporate signage. This was shortly followed by the Celebration Banner Collection, offering consumers bespoke banners for special events. Achieving this feat at the age of just 22 was all the more impressive as Kate suffers from psoriatic arthritis. She has been forced to balance her work and lifestyle to manage her illness, but thanks to her first rate offering, product knowledge, customer service and attention to detail, has grown a successful business with a turnover that is doubling year on year.
Francesca Cragg
Revitalize Hair & Beauty Spa
Having started her career in hairdressing aged just 13, Francesca was destined for success. At just 17, she was one of the youngest people in the country to gain the NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in hairdressing. Francesca launched Revitalize, a hair and beauty spa with her sister in 2007. The salon has gone from strength to strength and boasts 12 members of staff and a loyal customer base. She understands the value of training and mentoring, giving up her personal time to ensure staff have the necessary skills to succeed. She is passionate about the environment, and the salon is the first in the UK to be run using renewable and solar energy.
Lora Leedham
Jewellery By Lora Leedham
With initial funding of £2,500 Lora was able to purchase essential materials to successfully set up her jewellery company. She quickly built her reputation after receiving a commission from the Duchess of Cornwall for a necklace, which in turn led to Lora designing a tie-pin for Prince Charles and a range carrying the Highgrove crest. Lora feels her success is attributable to her drive, enthusiasm and patience, and she is honoured that she has people contacting her to express how she has inspired them. Her greatest achievement is opening a gallery to showcase her jewellery alongside other designers and next year will see some of her designs launching in high street stores.
The Demeter Award
Rachel Gurney-Rackham
R G Rackham Ltd
After college, Rachel began working in the 120-year-old family building business. Sadly due to changes within the industry and economic downturn she had no choice but to close it. Undeterred, she started all over again, putting her house up as security, and launched her own building company, R G Rackham Ltd in August 2008. Facing an uphill struggle setting up during a recession, and being one of the few women in a male-dominated industry, Rachel worked seven days a week, whilst studying for a BSc in building surveying. The company has seen huge success, with nearly 900 jobs undertaken in just over a year, and most new business secured via word-of-mouth referrals.
Karen McQuade
The UK Foodhall Ltd
While working as a Sales Manager at a fresh meat trading company, Karen decided to improve school dinners by developing and launching a healthy chicken product for school children. This led to her launching The UK Foodhall in May 2007, raising the start up funds single-handedly. The company produces and delivers healthy, British-sourced food and is now the biggest supplier of school food in the country, delivering to 10,000 schools. It is the first food service company in the UK to be awarded the Red Tractor independent mark of quality that guarantees high standards of food safety and hygiene, animal welfare and environmental protection.
Wendi Sellen
Nibbles of Worthing Ltd
When Wendi Sellen lost her job due to ill health she had no option other than to claim benefits to support her and her son. From humble beginnings when she would make and deliver 10-20 sandwiches daily working around her son’s school hours, Wendi started to grow Nibbles, securing contracts with local businesses in the area. Today, Wendi has contracts with schools, hospitals and other public services as well as private businesses and hopes to launch her first independent outlet in the next year. She credits her stubborn nature and determination for her success.
The Athena Award
Joanna Chin
Langland
At the age of just 24, Joanna Chin was a Field Director for a market research company, responsible for over 600 staff across the UK. After three years as a full-time mum her husband unexpectedly lost his job and the pair decided jointly to set up their own agency. Within four days of this decision they had an office and secured a £40,000 bank loan. With almost immediate success, the loan was paid off within four months. The company has seen steady growth ever since, even during the difficult conditions of 2008/9, and now boasts 59 permanent staff, an annual turnover of £8m and profit margins that continue to outperform the sector.
Juliet Davenport
Good Energy Group
Following a foray with the European Commission, Juliet began working with consultancy firm ESD which led to her starting up her own 100% renewable energy company. Juliet’s first challenge was to hire staff, find suitable offices and organise contracts and leases. But her hard work paid off and the company now supplies to over 25,000 homes and businesses, taking on almost 1,000 renewable generators and repowering a wind farm in Cornwall. Juliet has had to compete against the six large energy suppliers that dominate the market and keep on top of regulations, but defiant in her mission has managed to keep her goals in sight. This year she was rewarded with an honorary doctorate from Plymouth University.
Diahanne Rhiney
15 Degrees Limited
Having held a lifelong interest in marketing, Diahanne Rhiney worked for several different companies, before setting up her own agency in January 2004. She soon spotted a gap in the market for an agency that specialised in targeting marginalised groups, primarily those in multi-ethnic communities. Her projects have included collaborating with the National Blood Service to reach the black and Asian community, and working with Hercules Energy Drink and the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust. Diahanne also chairs the Harmony Foundation CIC (Community Interest Company), an organisation that campaigns to help young people who are at risk of failing in the educational system.
The Hera Award
Lyn Cecil
Secretaries Plus and The Plus Team
From a modest upbringing, Lyn was set on the idea of recruitment as a career, and in her 20s spotted a gap in the market to provide top-end PAs. She launched Secretaries Plus, growing it to incorporate a small, dedicated team of leading recruiters. In 2002, at the peak of the company’s success, Lyn discovered that her financial director had been embezzling money to the tune of over half a million pounds. Forced into receivership, Lyn showed her drive and ambition by building Secretaries Plus back up, and whilst she acknowledges that this year has been a challenge to her industry her belief in the company’s superior offering has seen them meet ambitious targets against the odds.
Karen Earl
Synergy
When she followed her PR boss to join a start up business, little did Karen know that it would propel her to become the best-known woman in the sponsorship industry. Karen managed the prestigious B&H Cup cricket account so successfully that when she launched her business in 1984, B&H became her first client along with Cornhill Insurance, sponsors of Test cricket. Karen’s passion for sport undoubtedly served her as well then as it does today. She broke ground with her vision for an impartial agency. She quickly grew her business, and now attracts some of the biggest names in the industry including Guinness, British Airways, and Coca Cola.
Jan Ward
Corrotherm International Ltd
Jan always knew she wanted to work in international trade. Having left school aged 16, she worked at a number of companies exporting engineering materials, carving a niche for herself by specialising in dealing with clients based in the Middle East. Jan set up Corrotherm International in 1992, specialising in supplying high grade metals, having impressed her bank manager with a thoroughly researched business plan. The company has since expanded significantly, with offices now in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Libya, India and Iran, in addition to a team of 14 in the UK.