"I am delighted to offer my support for these prestigious awards, which celebrate what can be achieved by women in business.

The Government’s vision is for many more people in the UK – from whatever background – to have the opportunity, aspiration and motivation to use their talent to be enterprising and start-up a business. For example if the UK had the same level of female entrepreneurship as the USA, there would be approximately 600,000 extra women-owned businesses, contributing an estimated additional £42 billion to the economy. It will take a generation to address the differential between the stock of female and male owned businesses and we cannot expect instant chance but we are addressing self belief at a young age, by working with girls whilst they are still in school to give them an experience of business and inspire them to be entrepreneurs of the future. BY celebrating successful entrepreneurship, we can help promote entrepreneurial thinking to all members of our society.

I am grateful to you for your continuing efforts in supporting and promoting entrepreneurship."

David Cameron

"Winning the Iris Award at this year’s everywoman Awards was an extremely welcome surprise! Running your own business is very tough, especially in a recession, so such fantastic external recognition has given my team and I a huge boost. The Award has been a huge victory not only for me, but also for my dedicated team that have to put up with me and my never ending ambition on a daily basis! Without them life would be a LOT harder.  I think everywoman is a fantastic organisation and I think the huge number of inspirational women I met at the event has shown me how far women have come in the professional world in a fairly short space of time. Long may it continue. Thank you everywoman!"

Zu Rafalet
2011 Iris NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"Winning the NatWest everywoman Award means a great deal to both myself and my business, the award ceremony was amazing and it was a real privilege to meet such inspirational women from all sectors of business, On a personal level it is wonderful to have been recognised for the work we have done in our community and the huge difference it has made and from a business point of view the impact has been incredible. As the awards are now very well established and respected we have had press coverage both locally and nationally. I appeared on Radio 4's mid week with Libby Purves in December and have been featured on BBC Northwest tonight. Not only is has it been an honour it has impacted on my business and the work we do in the community. Many thanks to Max and Karen for making me feel very special."

Anne Wallace
2011 Gaia NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"I am absolutely delighted to have won the NatWest everywoman Hestia Award last month alongside so many inspirational and dedicated business women.  Such an amazing afternoon meeting and talking to ladies of a like-mind who have achieved so much and selflessly encouraged others. When my business manager came to see me about the Awards, I was so flattered I could not stop smiling but winning was not even a consideration. Roll on four months and another usual day in the office was interrupted by a call from everywoman telling me I was a finalist – amazing!   To be able to read about, interact and talk to other women in business who have the same interests and aspirations was amazing.  Exchanging ideas & gaining advice from a whole network of successful business women who completely support each other is a priceless support mechanism - such a great organization to be a part of – thank you everywoman!"

Sarah Guy
2011 Hestia NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"Winning the Artemis award has given me the boost I needed to take my business to the next level. After what had been a difficult year, winning this hugely prestigious Award made me realise that the potential in my business that I see, is also seen by the highly regarded business women who judged me. That knowledge now means that I'm ready to tackle the next stage of our development with a new found confidence, not just in my business, but also in my own abilities as an entrepreneur. The NatWest everywoman Awards are the most fantastic way of celebrating females in business, and the awards ceremony at the Dorchester has, without a doubt, been the highlight of my career so far."

Samantha Coe
2011 Artemis NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"Winning the Natwest everywoman Athena Award has been an enormous personal achievement – I never imagined I would win my category! To be recognised and labelled a leading female entrepreneur has given me additional confidence in taking my business forward towards SME status”

Archie Archer
2011 Athena NatWest everywoman Award Winner

“I am extremely proud and delighted to have won the overall title in the everywoman Natwest Awards 2011.  It is wonderful to win an award for the success of my business and to win it across all business sectors was very special .  The publicity opportunities following on from winning such a high profile industry award have also been fantastic.”

Wendy Hallett
2011 Woman of the Year NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"I'd definitely recommend other women in business nominating or entering for an everywoman Award; winning one of these awards will provide you with confidence in your own ability. When you have confidence you come across like a more successful person. Being able to call yourself an ‘Award-Winning Businesswoman’ adds incredible impetus to your value in business networks, and gives your clients faith in your ability to deliver."

Nikki Hesford
2010 Artemis NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"Winning the NatWest everywoman award was a great honour and an amazing achievement for the start of my career. It is a popular stereotype that a hairdresser's main concern is that of beauty, rather than matters of the brain. Winning this award helped me prove that the business is just as important. I have since gained new clients and local press attention for the salon."

Francesca Cragg
2009 Artemis NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"Winning the everywoman Demeter Award in 2009 gave me a huge boost of self confidence, so many wonderful women with inspiring stories enter these prestigious awards every year, so to actually be a winner was an amazing experience, and one that will stay with me forever! My friends, family, colleagues and customers were all delighted for me, so thank you to everywoman for providing this wonderful platform to shine!"

Karen McQuade
2009 Demeter NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"This award means so much to me, because I have been recognised by my peers. I've been very lucky to get this far, and put this down to honesty, sincerity and integrity, combined with resilience and a belief that barriers are merely a state of mind – a philosophy my mother drummed into me from childhood. Thanks to everywoman my profile has been raised further and I've had the opportunity to meet and network with great like-minded women."

Diahanne Rhiney
2009 Athena NatWest everywoman Award Winner

"Winning the NatWest everywoman Award has become the pinnacle of my business life. It has led to increased business, a daunting appearance on Newsnight with Jeremy Paxman, Alistair Darling and Sir Martin Sorrell, lots of press coverage and contact from people I hadn't seen for many years. In addition I have had calls asking for help and mentoring which I am happy to do and I will of course be referring them to the everywoman site. I was surprised by how proud friends, colleagues, business contacts and family were by me winning the award, as Brits we tend to downplay achievement. If you are thinking about entering, GO FOR IT!"

Lyn Cecil
2009 Hera NatWest everywoman Award winner