insideKENT Magazine Issue 85 - April 2019 | Page 146

NEWS
PR BOSS TAKES KENT TITLE FOR THE
SECOND YEAR IN A ROW
The director of Sharp Minds Communications has won the Kent Women in Business
Awards PR and Marketing category for the second year in a row.
Siobhan Stirling was also a finalist in the Business Woman of the Year (5 years and
over) category. She says: “It was a real honour to have the successes and hard work
of the Sharp Minds team recognised in the company of so many inspiring and successful
Kent business women.”
Sharp Minds is a full-service marketing and PR agency serving clients in all sectors,
primarily in Kent and Sussex, but also across the UK and Europe.
The black-tie event on International Women’s Day in March at the Mercure Great
Danes Hotel in Maidstone saw 139 finalists, selected from a record number of entries
in 18 different categories, including Service Excellence, Business Growth and
Entrepreneur of the Year.
2019 RYA REGIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONS PRESENTED AT
THE RYA DINGHY SHOW
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Among a new generation of talented sailors and
windsurfers recognised in the RYA Regional Youth
Champion Awards at the RYA Dinghy Show in
March were 2019 London and South East joint
champions, Freya Black (18) from Goudhurst in
Kent and Millie Aldridge (18) from Poole. Freya and Millie were selected by the RYA’s London
and South East team after they were crowned both
national and European champions in the 29er dinghy
class in 2018 . A force to be reckoned with, the
talented sailors were made members of the senior
British Sailing Team late last year.
The awards were presented by double Olympic silver
medallist and RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker,
and double Olympic gold medallist and 2019 show
host, Shirley Robertson OBE. Freya said: “I'm thrilled to receive this award,
2018 was such an exciting year, and I'm very much
looking forward to competing in the international
events in 2019.”
Millie added: “It is always really nice to receive
recognition for your sailing achievements and we
are now focussed on trying to gain selection for this
summer’s youth worlds.”
RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker, said: “Although
all of the sailors recognised have achieved
outstanding results, it’s not just about the titles; it’s
so brilliant to see another generation of sailors falling
in love with the sport and becoming ambassadors
and role models.”