Final 50 are announced in women's Venus Awards in Portsmouth
Scores of guests were at the Peter Cooper Volkswagen dealership in Copnor for the announcement of 50 semi-finalists across 10 categories in the Venus Awards.
The awards, which are sponsored by The News, celebrate women in categories including ‘business mother’ and ‘young entrepreneur’.
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Hide AdAwards founder Tara Howard, from Bournemouth, said she was thrilled the scheme had attracted such strong support.
She said: ‘Sometimes we’re so desperate to get recognised for what we do because we don’t just work, we do all the home stuff, we take on a lot.
‘So when someone comes along and says “you’re doing a good job” it means the world.
‘I think women will always try and do too much.’
Lisa Baldock, from Fratton, was nominated in an ‘inspirational woman’ category.
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Hide AdMs Baldock, who is deaf, volunteers with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
She said she was delighted to be a semi-finalist in the awards. Ms Baldock said: ‘I do it as well as working a normal daytime job.
‘I do it to give back what they’ve given to me, with my hearing dog.’
Rhoda Joseph, director of Portsmouth’s Cascades Shopping Centre, is a semi-finalist in ‘director’ and ‘customer service’ categories.
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Hide AdMs Joseph, who lives in Knowle, said: ‘It was a big surprise. I do my job to the best of my ability and I’d never imagined that I would be singled out for it.’
Annette Du Bois, from Selsey, is a semi-finalist in ‘new business’ and ‘inspirational women’ categories.
Ms Du Bois founded Champs Academy, which aims to build confidence in children.
She said of the awards: ‘I think it’s a celebration of all the things to do with women and what we are able to achieve, and it’s also a way to inspire the next generation.’
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Hide AdThe finalists will be named on March 22. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Pyramids Centre in Southsea on May 6.
The Semi-Finalists are:
NatWest New Business of the Year
Maxine Fitzgerald – Armour Recruitment
Becky Lodge – Little Kanga
Isobel Nancarrow – Nancarrow Partnerships
Katrina Willis – Beautiful Bells
Samantha Worsey – Southsea Bathing Hut
Changes Clinic Inspirational Woman of the Year
Lisa Baldock – Hearing dogs for deaf people
Emma Hine – Beat the Bullies
Adel Kaseke – Curvyswan
Tricia Lyons – Marvels and Meltdowns
Charlies Reilly – The Reilly Enterprise Ltd
Peter Cooper Motor Group Influential Woman of the Year
Shandrika Day – Marvels and Meltdowns
Jenny Docherty – Jenny Docherty
Annette Du Bois – CHAMPS Academy
Lynne Vinton – Portsmouth Military Wives Choir
Emily Warne - Headromance
Shirlaws Lifetime Achievement Award
Sharon Bannister – Shazbaz Designs
Sue Beckett – Portsmouth Music Hub
Lizz Clarke – LCM
Karen Font-Garcia - Karen Font-Garcia
Maggie Sawkins – Tongues&Grooves
Portsmouth Business School Small Business of the Year
Annette Du Bois – CHAMPS Academy
Kelly Louise Jordan – Charmaine of Southsea
Joanne Martin – Creative Clique
Katie Fairhall- Katie Bakes
Lesley Weatherson – Lipspeaker UK
SMART Accountancy Entrepreneur of the Year
Emily Warne – Headromance
Lesley Weatherson – Lipspeaker UK
Abbie Curtis – Amoir Camaira
Maxine Fitzgerald –Amour Recruitment
Emma Weatherstone – Live Well Coaching
Checkaprofessional Professional/ Corporate of the Year
Charlotte Briere-Edney – That’s Solent
Liza Gatrell – Biscoes Law Ltd
Zara Hogg – Wilkins Kennedy LLP
Amber Leigh Mitchell – Abstract Dance & Performing Arts
Naomi O’Hara – Naomi O’Hara Permanent Cosmetics
Business of the Year
Joanne Barry – Platinum Care Solutions
Joanne Bushell – Aspex Visual Arts Trust
Jo Littler – Rare Moments Photography Ltd
Debora Parsons – Coffee Cup Portsmouth Ltd
Kelly Shaw – k:Spa
Director of the Year
Joanne Barry – Platinum Care Solutions
Stephanie Bellchambers – Biscoes Law Ltd
Catherine Carley – Parade Community Preschool
Maureen Frost – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Rhoda Joseph – Cascades Shopping Centre