THEY are the 14 inspirational winners who represent the hard work and determination of women in business.

Six months after the launch of the prestigious 2013 Daily Echo-backed NatWest Venus Business Awards, the winners were announced at a glamorous ceremony in Southampton.

One by one, each of the 14 category sponsors took to the stage to introduce their three worthy finalists of the women-only awards at the glitzy event at the Grand Harbour Hotel.

The winners, dressed in their finest frocks, were presented with their gongs to rapturous applause and the sound of clappers left on each table for the hundreds of guests, before giving emotional acceptance speeches.

Judges had to whittle down a record-breaking 1,000 nominations to crown their winner.

There were three categories – including the Daily Echo Business Mother of the Year Award – where it was the public who had to choose their winner.

Disabled mum and business woman Emma Sheldon scooped the prize in the most hotlycontended category of the night, which received more than 60 entries.

Emma is the manager for Southampton Centre for Independent Living Continuing Care (SCILCC), which provides disabled people with choice and control over their care so they can lead fulfilling lives often in challenging circumstances.

After being presented with the award by Daily Echo editor- in-chief Ian Murray, she said: “It’s an honour and I feel extremely emotional.

Without my daughter Charlotte, this would not be possible. I feel incredibly lucky to be in employment and able to make a difference to disabled people in Southampton.”

The event, which was presented by Heart presenter Zoe Hanson and awards founder Tara Howard, raised more than £1,000 for Naomi House and Jacksplace.

Tara, a mum of four, who runs Langtry Manor Hotel in Bournemouth, said: “It has been another fabulous event. Congratulations to all our amazing winners and finalists. I’m so proud we can honour hard-working women across the county.”

The Winners

• Rothmans New Business Award: Nikki Jones, of Academy Studios
• Green Business Award: Teresa Francis, of Feminine Wear
• YourSouthampton Online Business Award: Belinda Poore, of Bellacrafts Ltd
• Dutton Gregory LLP Small Business Award: Katy Jones, of MediaQuest
• Dyno-Rod Inspirational Woman Award: Christine Tebano, of Parent Support Link
• PA of the Year Award: Tamsin Holmar, Grand Harbour Hotels
• Basepoint Home Based Business Award: Jo Hicks, of Jo Hicks Flowers
• Giant Potential Networker of the Year Award: Sue Pell, of SP Office Services
• Condor Lifetime Achievement Award: Tina Wellman-Hawke, of The Dave Wellman Cancer
Trust
• TW Metals High Achiever Award: Hannah Payne, of Hampshire County Council
• Heart Employee of the Year Award: Hannah Rowley, of Destination Southampton
• Future Employment Employer of the Year Award: Shirley Pinn, of Destination Southampton
• Southern Daily Echo Business Mother of the Year Award: Emma Sheldon, of Southampton
Centre for Independent Living Continuing Care (SCILCC)
• Natwest Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jane Dyke, of Yellow Dot Nursery