THE ENTREPRENEURIAL WINNERS OF THE ENTERPRISING WOMEN AWARDS 2021

WOMAN WHO FOUNDED PERSONALISED GIFT BOX SERVICE WHILE ON FURLOUGH SCOOPS TOP AWARD

THE WINNERS

Business Woman of the Year

(sponsored by Futures Housing Group)

Natalie Bamford, Colleague Box

Female Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Midlands Engine Investment Fund)

Rachel Hayward, Ask the Chameleon

Social Commitment Award (sponsored by PPL PRS)

CR Civil Engineering

Small Business of the Year

(sponsored by Unique Window Systems)

Shed Grounds Maintenance

Female Employee of the Year

(sponsored by Smallman & Son)

Matilda Swanson, Loates HR Consultancy

Team of the Year

(sponsored by She Inspires Global) RideWise

Outstanding Contribution to Work in STEM (sponsored by Pick Everard)

Rail Forum Midlands

Apprentice of the Year

(sponsored by EMA Training)

Evie Smith, Reckitt Benckiser (UK)

Apprentices, entrepreneurs and stem ambassadors were among those recognised at the East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women Awards. Eight women in business took home honours at the gala dinner on October 8, which was held at Nottingham Belfry Hotel & Spa in partnership with headline sponsor Futures Housing Group.

The evening was topped off by the Business Woman of the Year title, which was awarded to Natalie Bamford, who co-founded personalised gift box service Colleague Box during the pandemic and has grown it into a £1m turnover business already.

This was the first time the Enterprising Women Awards had been held since early March 2020, just before lockdown.

It is the biggest event in the calendar for East Midlands Chamber’s Enterprising Women network, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.

Chamber president Eileen Richards MBE, who co-chairs the network with Jean Mountain, said: “It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the Enterprising Women Awards in person and welcome back all our members and supporters. You could physically feel the enthusiasm and emotion within the room, which demonstrates just how much these awards mean to individuals.

“We have so many unbelievable women working at all levels of businesses across the East Midlands – from CEOs to managers to apprentices – and it is incredible to see them recognised.”

Jean, a past president of the Chamber, added: “Our Enterprising Women network has gone from strength to strength, and this evening is always the crowning event in our calendar so it was brilliant to see everyone again.

“Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, who thoroughly deserve the opportunity to have their stories told to the region. We can’t wait to be back next year and have some exciting plans to mark our 25th anniversary.”

The 300 guests collectively donated £1,270 to the Chamber’s three chosen charities this year – Chesterfield Samaritans, Help the Homeless Leicester and Nottinghamshire Hospice.

ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson hosted the black-tie event, with entertainment provided by Michael Bublé tribute act Mike All Bublé.

Futures Housing Group chief executive Lindsey Williams, who is also the Chamber’s vice-president, added: “This month, we’ve had media reports that the gender pay gap is still not improving. That’s so disappointing and so wrong. There is also a serious leadership gap – just one third of organisations have women on their boards.

“There is still such a long way to go towards true gender equality, so we are very proud to sponsor this event that puts women and their amazing achievements in the spotlight.”

WHO IS THE EAST MIDLANDS CHAMBER’S BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR?

Natalie Bamford set up Colleague Box alongside husband Adam in April 2020 while on furlough as a technology company’s expedite services assistant.

The couple have already grown the Derby-based personalised gift box service into a £1m turnover business and grown headcount.

Corporations have identified the benefits of being able to send low-cost, high-quality gift boxes – which can be personalised or themed to feature everything from prosecco and coffee to chocolate and candles – that can be sent to staff en masse.

After being announced as the Business Woman of the Year at the Enterprising Women Awards, Natalie said: “Adam and I used to work together, and we originally set up the gift boxes just to send to our team to spread a bit of happiness and positivity. It was a time when the country was in so much doom and gloom, and we wanted to send a bit of joy in the post while everyone was working from home.

“We were working from our kitchen table, sent them out and it just grew into a business from there.

“After launching in the April, we moved into our first warehouse in September to fulfil an order of 21,000 boxes.”

Asked what she liked best about the business, she replied: “We get to spread positivity and happiness, so that initial aim of when we first started Colleague Box is what still excites us today.”