Tunbridge Wells Business Women Shortlisted for Nine County Awards
SIOBHAN STIRLING
DEBORAH RICHARDS
JESS GIBSON
Continuing the theme of successful business in Tunbridge Wells , four business women have each been shortlisted in multiple categories of the 2022 Kent Women in Business Awards ( KWIBA ). Siobhan Stirling , Deborah Richards , Jess Gibson and Jessica Nelson will be hoping to bring home titles at the prestigious regional ceremony which will be held on Friday , 11 March at the Ashford International Hotel .
It will be the fifth year in a row that Siobhan Stirling , director of Sharp Minds Communications , has made the final shortlist at the awards , nominated for Business Woman of the Year ( Over Five Years ), Employer of the Year , and the Women in PR and Marketing awards . She held onto her title for Leadership and Management for the second year running in 2021 , with Runner-Up prizes for PR & Marketing and Business Woman of the Year ( Over 5 Years ), having previously also won the PR & Marketing award twice and Women ’ s Champion once .
“ It ’ s always a welcome surprise to be nominated for the Kent awards – and a fantastic start for the new year ,” says Siobhan . “ It ’ s an honour to share a spot in the finals with so many other leading Kentish women , and I wish my Tunbridge Wells colleagues the best of luck on the night !”
Joining her at the March ceremony is Deborah Richards , of Maddisons Residential . Also in the finalist selection for Business Woman of the Year ( Over 5 Years ), as well as the Growth award , this will be the leading Tunbridge Wells estate agent ’ s first appearance at the formal black-tie gala .
“ It ’ s so exciting to have been picked for this year ’ s finals ,” she says . “ Even with the remaining lockdown challenges of last year , I ’ ve been committed to finding new ways to keep providing an excellent service for our clients . Being recognised for those efforts is the icing on the cake !”
The third finalist for Tunbridge Wells ’ nominations is Jess Gibson , founder of the TN Card – a reward scheme that supports over 500 independent businesses across Tunbridge Wells , Tonbridge and Sevenoaks , as well as raising funds for charity West Kent Mind . Nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year , as well as the Community Champion award , Jess has been fundamental in bringing new interest and support for Kent businesses across the pandemic .
“ It ’ s an honour to be a finalist at the awards for a second year ,” says Jess . “ The TN Card has grown rapidly since launching in 2020 , and with over 2,000 members now enjoying rewards for supporting local and industry recognition such as this , it is clear that the TN Card is making a real difference in our towns .”
While Jessica Nelson , owner of Once Upon A Wish Events , has been recognised as a finalist for both the Professional Achievement award and as Mumpreneur of the Year . Originally setting up her fantasy-themed entertainment business in 2017 , Jessica has since grown her services to provide high-quality character experiences for everything from children ’ s parties to high-flying corporate events .
“ I ’ m delighted to be on the shortlist for two awards – it makes all of the hard work worthwhile ! It can be a handful , growing a successful business as well as being a full time mum , but it has let me pursue my passion of sharing magical moments with my customers across Kent ,” Jessica says .
JESSICA NELSON
Sideways Director and Editor of insideKENT Shortlisted for Two KWIB Awards
Last , but by no means least , Samantha Ready , editor of this very magazine and proud director of insideKENT ’ s parent company Sideways Media has also been announced as a finalist in two Kent Women in Business Awards categories : Growth ; recognising Sideways Media ’ s expansion of its Sideways PR division and the growth of insideKENT in terms of content , distribution and reach ; and Creative Business of the Year in honour of the campaigns run by Sideways Media and Sideways PR including the Ashford & Tenterden Welcome Back Tourism Campaign , as well as publications including Kent Staycation and of course insideKENT . It will be Sam ’ s second time as a finalist having been shortlisted for the Leadership & Management Award and coming Runner Up in the Women in the Arts and Creative Award in 2020 .
“ I am absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for two awards that recognise not only my own achievements this year but also the hard work of my amazing ( and predominantly female !) team , and , of course , to be sharing the excitement with all of the other wonderful Kentish businesses who we are committed to championing . I look forward to celebrating with all of the other finalists who really are making an incredible impact on our county .”
Full details and list of all nominations can be accessed at kwibawards . co . uk .
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