AN artist from Southampton specialising in drawings of stick men has been hailed a promising entrepreneur by the prestigious Courvoisier Future 500 Members Network.

Gillian Jeffery, owner of Pinman Designs, creates her own range of humorous greeting cards and branded gifts and runs a training firm.

She was hand-picked by a judging panel of entrepreneurs, who tipped her for future success. The network helps members by introducing them to other entrepreneurs and promotional opportunities.

Judge Reed Paget, chief executive of bottled water producer Belu Water, said: “We were looking for extraordinarily smart and passionate people, with ideas both clever and well thought through.

“Gillian and her business Pinman Designs genuinely stood out and have the potential to really take off, even in this economic climate.”

Gillian said: “I’m delighted to have been chosen, especially when there is so much negative news about businesses at present.”