By Julian Whittle

Published at 11:50, Monday, 29 October 2012

NOMINATIONS for Cumbria Business Woman of the Year close on Thursday.

Increased profile: Sally Fielding has seen business increase since her win

The prestigious award is run by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Baines Wilson LLP.

The winner will be named at a conference and awards lunch at the Low Wood Bay Hotel, Windermere, on Thursday November 15.

Sally Fielding, of Sally’s Cottages in Keswick, won last year. She said: “Winning certainly increased our public profile, gained us publicity and ensured more awareness of Sally’s Cottages.”

The holiday-cottage agency has grown strongly in the past year.

It now has 30 per cent more cottages and a turnover of £2.5m.

She added: “Here in Cumbria we have many talented and inspirational women in business.

“I would recommend that any business women in the county should put themselves forward.”

The conference, entitled ‘Inspirational times, inspirational women’ will feature female speakers who are influencers and innovators in business.

The line up includes Jackie Arnold, who is responsible for financial governance and strategy at BAE Systems Submarine Solutions in Barrow and is vice chairwoman of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership; Melissa Burton, managing director of Goody Good Stuff in Heysham, Lancashire, who was named 2011 ‘Best Entrepreneur in Europe, the Middle East and Africa’ in the global Stevie Awards for Women in Business; Maria Whitehead MBE, who set up Hawkshead Relish with her husband in 2001; and Karen Todd, director of Recognition Brand Communications, who has worked for BSkyB, Orange, HSBC and Clarks.

For entry details for Business Woman of the Year, email catherynn@cumbriachamber.co.uk.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk