Awards to showcase Moray's wealth of female business talent
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FOURTEEN women from across the business spectrum have made it to the final of the Moray Business Women Awards.
The winners will be announced at an awards ball which will take place at Lossiemouth's Stotfield Hotel on November 16.
Two new categories were introduced this year, for rising star and best new product or service.
Sam Dowdall, president of Moray Business Women's Club which meets monthly at different venues, said: "We were absolutely overwhelmed with entries this year and it was great to see there were so many entries in our new categories.
"We are trying to encourage younger women to get involved with Moray Business Women, hence why we introduced rising star."
Sam, a former winner of business woman of the year, added: "The level of entry was high, as it always is, and each year when the entries and nominations come in it is inspiring to see what a wealth of entrepreneurship we have in the region.
"It was also great to see that the businesses represented in the final are so varied. We have everything from gardening to public relations, candle making and nail design, to name but a few of the industries represented.
"We look forward to returning to the Stotfield Hotel for a second year in a row and finding out which finalists take home the awards. The dinner is also our final push to raise funds for our 2019 charity, Abbie’s Sparkle, which we have been supporting throughout the year."
The finalists were decided on by a panel of judges.
The rising star award will be announced on the night, while the women recognised in best new product or service are: Joan Johnston, of Bespoke Products, launching Ava Innes Cashmere Bedding; Janis Maclean, owner of the Coast Candle Co; and Lisa Esslemont, of Gardening Services.
Finalists in the most enterprising business of the year category are: Amanda Nasser, of McClintock Dispensing Opticians; Sarah Holmes, of Pencil Me In; Sheila Hull, of The Nail Room; and Liz Robson, of Ginspired.
Moray business woman of the year finalists are Claire Doughty, of Claire Doughty Publicity; Rhona Patterson, of Lifestyle Magazine; Hazel Fraser, of The Training Folk; and Sheila Hull, of The Nail Room.
The member of achievement finalists are: Susan Beveridge, of Diageo; Claire Doughty, of Claire Doughty Publicity; Alison Read, of Alison Read Digital Content; and Susan MacPherson, of the MacPherson Allan Practice.
