Bolton-le-Sands businesswoman in line for top award

Now in their seventh year, the awards have grown from being purely regional into one of the most prestigious events in the calendar for professional women.

Janie Ash, managing director of Better with Jam, a Bolton-le-Sands based creative agency, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the north west, Wales and Isle of Man in the SME Emerging Category.

The shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend the regional final at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel, Manchester, on October 21. The winners from this and the other regional finals will then be invited to appear before a live judging interview panel in November, followed by the national final in Leeds on December 1.

Launched in 2009 by managing director Janie Ash, Better with Jam has increased its turnover by more than 200% in the last three years and has made three new appointments to its team in the last two years to deliver its growing portfolio of work.

Janie said: “Happiness is serious business – our recent success is testament to that. We believe that a happy team is healthier, more effective and generates better work for its clients. And happier businesses are able to attract top talent and retain those great employees too.”

In announcing the results for the North West, Wales and Isle of Man, Griselda Togobo, MD of Forward Ladies said: “This has been a fantastic year for women; we continue to start, grow and run high profile successful companies. We have been surprised and delighted by the number and calibre and diversity of the applications we have received, and look forward to celebrating their success.

Debra White, Regional Director of Small Businesses for HSBC and Awards judge, said: “There was an impressive number of high-calibre entries this year, highlighting the quality of talented businesswomen we have in the UK. These entrants are the future entrepreneurs of our country, with the Forward Ladies event to showcase the best Britain has to offer.”

Other judges included Ajaz Ahmed, the founder of Freeserve, Helen Samuels from United Utilities and Saha Hashemi, founder of Coffee Republic.