Auction boss up for two women in business awards

Kate Hughes, founder of Merseyside Property Auctions, has been nominated for two gongs in the North West Women in Business Awards.

The awards, now in their second year, are organised by the Northwest Women's Enterprise Forum and the North West Development Agency.

Hughes, who launched her company in the summer, has been nominated in the business start-up of the year and young entrepreneur of the year categories.

The shortlisted candidates in full are:

Social Enterprise of the Year

• The Wool Clip – A cooperative of 13 women – Sally Seed is their representative. (Cumbria)
• Connector Media CIC – Paula Gamester (St Helens, Merseyside)

Business Start Up of the Year

• No Chintz – Natalie Gray (Manchester)
• Chromasia – Libby Nightingale (Blackpool)
• Healthy Paws – Lisa Horne (Crosby, Merseyside)
• JAMpr ltd – Jamie Markey (Manchester)
• Merseyside Property Auctions – Kate Hughes (Liverpool)
• School of Sign Language – Debra Reynolds (Blackburn, Lancashire)

Growth Business of the Year

• The Bury Black Pudding Company – Debbie Pierce (Bury)
• LoveLula.com – Lula Braithewaite (Chester)
• BikeRight – Liz Clarke (Manchester)
• Pro-Stretch Holdings – Christine Mattley (Macclesfield, Cheshire)

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

• Merseyside Property Auctions – Kate Hughes (Liverpool)
• The Small Animal Hotel/Rent a Bod – Victoria Corcoran (Liverpool)
• No Chintz – Natalie Gray (Manchester)
• JAMpr Ltd – Jamie Markey (Manchester)

Business and Professional Services Sector Women of the Year

• Pinna – Helen Bailey (Preston, Lancashire)
• Affordable Accounts – Diane Pilling (Bolton)
• Jane Marshall Partnership – Jane Marshall (Liverpool)

Business of the Year

• School of Sign Language – Debra Reynolds (Blackburn, Lancashire)
• BikeRight – Liz Clarke (Manchester)
• Pinna – Helen Bailey (Preston, Lancashire)
• Out There Events – Marcie Incarico (Manchester)
• Head over Heels – Catherine Dunlevy (Chorlton, Manchester)
• Bury Black Pudding Company – Debbie Pierce (Bury)