Deadline is almost up for Venus Award nominations (From Daily Echo)

Deadline is almost up for Venus Award nominations

12:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News By Tara Russell, Feature Writer

NOMINATIONS for this year’s prestigious business awards recognising achievements of businesswomen across the south will close tonight.

The Daily Echo-backed NatWest Venus Awards have already received a record-breaking 1,000 entries.

But it is not too late to nominate an inspirational woman you know before entries close at midnight.

Now in its second year, the awards recognise the efforts and talents of local businesswomen, from female entrepreneurs and bosses to employees and supermums who juggle working life and bringing up a family.

Recognition Tara Howard, founder of the awards, who is a mum-of-four herself and managing director of Langtry Manor Hotel, urged people to get online to nominate their favourite working woman to ensure that her efforts are recognised.

She said: “It’s amazing how many nominations we have had in just the second year of the awards being open.

“The Southampton area has already surpassed Dorset for the number of nominations received, which is now approaching 1,000. “There are still however some categories that we are looking for more nominations for, including Green Business, Employer of the Year, Employee of the Year and PA.” The award winners will be announced at a special night which is being held in the De Vere Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton on Tuesday, June 18.

The Daily Echo is again sponsoring the Business Mother of the Year Award, which pays homage to the extraordinary role played by many women, both in the workplace and at home.

The Future Employment Employer of the Year Award is also open to men.

Tara added: “There are so many remarkable women out there who truly deserve to be celebrated for their outstanding contribution to local business. “It takes just a few minutes and makes a real difference.”

THE categories, which are sponsored by female friendly local businesses, are:

• NatWest Entrepreneur of the Year Award
• YourSouthampton Online Business Award
• Future Employment Employer of the Year Award
• Heart Employee of the Year Award
• Basepoint Home Business Award
• Condor Lifetime Achievement Award
• Dutton Gregory Small Business Award
• Rothmans New Business Award
• TW Metals High Achiever Award
• DynoRod Inspirational Woman Award
• Daily Echo Business Mother Award
• Giant Potential Networker of the Year Award

After nominations close there will be three days for nominees to complete their applications before the judging panel whittle down the entries.
Nominate at southampton.venus awards.co.uk/nominate/ before midnight tonight.