A networking group which champions the cause of female entrepreneurs in the region has bolstered its team as it looks to step up its North East presence.
News of two major appointments at the Women into the Network (WIN) organisation comes ahead of its flagship annual event, the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
The addition of Leeanne Bennett and Ellie Wilkinson (right) to the WIN team is also driven by the group’s desire to increase its coverage and influence in the region.
Ms Bennett, who has taken up the role as manager at WIN, has a vast knowledge of the digital and creative sector having served as a key player at North East digital centre of excellence, Codeworks.
As a former membership account manager at Codeworks Connect and business development manager at the Internationally-renowned Thinking Digital Conference, she will give WIN an excellent understanding of how women can excel in the male dominated digital sector.
Ms Bennett said: “Having attended the WIN awards for the last few years, I was already aware of the benefits of bringing an excellent network of female entrepreneurs together and I felt I just had to be involved. I also came from a male dominated sector working at Codeworks and realised the economic imperative that women in business have in the UK today.”
Ms Wilkinson most recently worked as an account executive at creative agency bgroup where she serviced a range of public and private sector clients including Visit Tees Valley, Enterprise UK and Redcar and Cleveland Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI).
She brings effective communications and event management skills to the organisation along with a calm demeanour, which is essential when running events.
She said: “I hadn’t heard a lot about WIN until I worked with them as a client at bgroup. Through this I realised the work they did and the amazing network of female entrepreneurs behind them and wanted to be part of this organisation.”
Nicky Gray, advisory group member and long-term supporter of WIN, who has recently been announced as the winner of the Barclays One Small Step Award for her successful kids’ salon, Fidgets in Whitley Bay added:
“We are delighted to have appointed Leeanne and Ellie to strengthen the WIN team. They both have fresh ideas to bring to the organisation and I’m sure they will both be a tremendous asset in helping WIN make entrepreneurship more accessible for women throughout the North East.”
Meanwhile, WIN has urged North East female entrepreneurs to enter the 11th annual major awards for women in business in the region.
The North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards recognises a number of areas of excellence including best new business, best social enterprise and best use of technology.
The closing date for entries is 5pm on Saturday, September 18, ahead of the shortlisting of nominations on Tuesday, September 28, and the presentation and dinner on Friday, November 19. To buy tickets for the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards evening, at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, or for more information on the work of WIN, go to www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk