A HAMPSHIRE woman has launched a national award ceremony celebrating women in business.

Entrepreneur Emma Downey is launching her first national Awards celebrating women in business, arts and creative industries as well as employers that are striving towards equal opportunities.

The Women Who Do Awards, whose headline sponsor is Natwest bank, are currently open to applications before the March 15 with the Award ceremony taking place in Winchester on the May 5.

Emma is the founder of Women Who Do, a female networking community that runs events, workshops and programmes across business and wellbeing and is passionate about empowering women.

The Awards evening will be taking place at The Nutshell in Winchester, with a “wear whatever you feel most confident in” dress code, live poetry readings and dance performances it’s a far cry from the black tie formal dinners that Award ceremonies are known for.

There are seven categories: Woman of Inspiration (which cannot be self nominated), New Business Award, Small Business Award, Creative & Arts Award, Podcast of the Year Award, Equal Employer Award and Product/Retailer Award. Emma secured sponsorship from Natwest who have been keen to also run free workshops on how to apply for awards and are offering their category nominations 1:1 business calls.

If you would like to apply for an Award or you know someone who you’d like to nominate you can do so here www.womenwd.co.uk/2022-awards.