THE Wessex business Woman of the Year award has become one of the highlights of the year for the regional business community.

More than 220 people, many from large employers in and around Southampton, looked on as inspirational Gill Craig was crowned this year's winner.

The entrepreneur started up Whiteoaks, a public relations consultancy, 11 years ago with four staff in a small office.

Gill, 52, now employs 40 people, with bases in Farnham, London and Paris.

Her ability to motivate staff to stretch both thinking and performance left judges in no doubt that she was the one.

Gill shook with emotion as she stepped up to receive her glass trophy at Beaulieu in the New Forest.

She told them: "I'm absolutely thrilled, overwhelmed and very proud to be the owner of this prestigious award."

Having survived breast cancer, Gill also set up a support group for other sufferers, called Bosom Buddies.

She was one of five contenders from across the south who were in the frame.

The other short-listed nominees were Marcelle Massom, 51, who makes jams and chutneys for her Romsey-based business, Preserving Jams, Julie Goehlert, a finance director with Portsmouth-based freight cargo firm Mercator, Sally Wilton, 46, the director of south-coast employment agency Staff 200, and Clare Burnet, a luxury chocolate maker from Swanage, Dorset.

Gill was handed the title by guest speaker Diane Louise Jordan, the Songs of Praise TV presenter, who gave a motivational talk on how to be the best.

Former Wessex Woman of the Year, Selaine Messem, who runs Salisbury-based sports bra supplier LessBounce, was there to pass the baton on to Gill.

Selaine said Gill can now look forward to reaping the benefits of the title, including extra credibility, an increased public profile and a boost to confidence.

The packed charity awards dinner, with tickets going for £45 a head, was held at the Brabazon Restaurant at the National Motor Museum.

One of the VIPs was Lady Montagu of Beaulieu, whose support was publicly acknowledged by organisers.

Thousands of pounds raised from the event, which included a celebrity memorabilia auction, will go to Vitalise, formerly known as the Winged Fellowship Trust.

The auctioneer for the night was BBC Radio Solent presenter Richard Cartridge.

Vitalise, which has a centre at Netley, near Southampton, provides holidays for the disabled and carers.

Meanwhile, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, had a written message to the contenders.

She said: "Every one of tonight's nominees is an exceptional woman who has shown flair, resourcefulness and determination to become the success in the business world that she is today."

See the Business South supplement free with today's (Tuesday's) Daily Echo for more pictures from the Wessex Business Woman of the Year Awards.