Hundreds attend glittering sold out event in Plymouth
The winners of the West Country Women Awards were announced at a sold-out glittering ceremony at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth.
More than 360 guests, finalists and sponsors from across the South West attended the recent event which celebrated winners across a total of 16 categories.
The West Country Women Awards CIC recognises women across the peninsular in all walks of life. Past events have proved to be hugely popular.
The range varies from women in Sport through to women in Arts and Culture and women in Health and Wellbeing. The categories also extend to covering Combating Violence Against Women and Girls.
Hosts for the evening’s inspiring celebrations were Alexis Bowater OBE and Tess Stuber – the co-founders of the West Country Women Awards.
‘Since we founded these awards three years ago, we have recognised and celebrated more than three and a half thousand amazing women across the region through our nominations,’ says Alexis.
‘The finals are the culmination of that and give women a powerful platform to be seen and heard for their astonishing contributions to our community and to society. These awards are not just about business, they are about everybody’s business.’
The awards’ charity of the year was Gifted Women which support women who’re rebuilding their lives after substance misuse, homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system, with fresh starts and pathways into the world of work.
Outstanding calibre of category finalists
More than £7,000 was raised on the night for the charity, including £1,000 donated from a Full Moon Fundraiser event by owners of Plymouth’s Drake’s Island in the summer.
Honoured guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant Richard Stevens MBE and Commodore Jake Moores, The High Sheriff of Devon.
DLL Richard Stevens MBE helped to present the award for Small Business of the Year sponsored by Vivobarefoot and The High Sheriff joined Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Mark Kingscote to present joint winners of the Combatting Violence Against Women and Girls category.
Every sponsor on the night emphasised the outstanding calibre of their category finalists when presenting the winner with their West Country Women Awards trophy.
The roll call of nominees, finalists, winners, and sponsors is a testament to the overwhelming response to the West Country Women Awards.
Headline sponsors Plymouth Citybus and Headline Production sponsors PL1 Events were joined by category sponsors and judges MSubs, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Continuum, Womble Bond Dickinson, Ian Williams, Michael Spiers Jewellery, The Franchise Consultant, Plymouth City Council’s The Plymouth Charter, Genius PR & Events, Kaya Gallery, Andrew Hill Salon, Cavanna Homes, Vivobarefoot, Axford & Heaton and South West Water.
Cornwall Chamber, Somerset Chamber, Exeter Chamber, Dartmouth and District Chamber were also championed on the night.
Instrumental to the success of recognising women
Organisers say that the event series sponsors of the awards: The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Losing the Wires are instrumental to the success of recognising women.
They add that the smooth running of the event is also thanks to the awards’ night sponsors: Baker Estates, Azets Accountants, KOR Communications, Babcock and Clear Support.
They go onto say that the evening’s triumphant success was helped by: Plymouth Gin, Poppy Jakes Photography, The Printing Press, South West Boutique Events, Devonia Spring Water, Ocean City Media and Steve Haywood.
West Country Women Awards Ambassadors Trish Caller, Jo Lines, Cristina Axford, Clare Palmer and Alison Savory were also recognised and celebrated at the event.
