2019
BEST
NEWCOMER
Sponsored by RMS
WINNER:
SARA
ARTHUR
(GENESIS PROTECTION
SERVICES)
For Sara Arthur, the Tees
Businesswomen’s Awards are all about
celebrating how women do business
differently – often while helping run a
home at the same time.
Sara set up Genesis Protection
Services last year as a specialist
protection adviser for military personnel.
“These awards are fantastic and we
need to do it every year,” she beamed.
“The night is so inspiring and to be
recognised in this way is just amazing.”
Mum-of-two Sara is the sole owner and
managing director of the Darlington firm,
which is already the UK’s second-largest
life broker in its field.
In its first year, Genesis turned over
more than £500,000 – five times the
projections – and in year two Sara hopes
to double that figure, increase staff
numbers from 19 to 25 and branch out
into the civilian market.
“Women need to stop comparing
ourselves to men,” Sara says. “We’re
never going to be like men. We’re built
differently and we need to embrace that.
“The CEOs of FTSE 100 companies
are incredible people but they don’t
cook dinner at night and I want to cook
dinner for my children, so I don’t want
to compare myself to them. I want to
celebrate what I’m doing!”
FINALIST: FINALIST:
Michelle Carter
(Bespoke Financial) Sara Calgie
(The Start Studio)
After working in education for many
years, Michelle has had a dramatic
impact since joining Bespoke Financial
Teesside as a part-time administrator just
a couple of years ago. As the company’s
operational manager she has trebled
the team’s size, recruiting more than 20
Teessiders into the business. She has
promoted managers from within and
opened up six new brands and her drive,
selfless attitude and leadership have
all played a major part in the company
becoming a national award winner.
Her long-term plan is to firmly cement
Bespoke’s reputation as the UK’s number
one protection and mortgage broker. As founder and director of non-profit
community initiative The Start Studio
UK (CIC), Sara works to raise the
perceived value of arts and creativity in
an increasingly digital world. Based in
the iconic former Scandinavian Seamen’s
Mission in Middlesbrough, the studio
offers education for all ages and groups
with specific learning needs and provides
an informal space for talks, comedy
and music. Sara works with schools and
co-ordinates artists to teach a range of
skills in the studio, as well as providing
outreach work. She passionately believes
in the role of the arts in promoting
fairness, diversity and wellbeing.
SPONSOR’S MESSAGE
Nikki Butt, RMS operations director, said: “Inspired by the
number of successful women in business at last year’s
event, RMS were thrilled to be sponsoring the Best
Newcomer award for a second year.
“The award itself highlights the dedication, creative
flair and tenacity needed to succeed in business today. It
was extremely inspiring to be part of such a prestigious
event, which is an innovative milestone in today’s society.
“There were so many deserving winners, many of
which had overcome obstacles in order to stand proud
as an independent business, and we would once again
like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the
female entrepreneurs out there who make the Tees
Valley what it is today.
“When shortlisting nominees, we considered both their
personal and professional qualities because as a family
run business we understand the link between the two.
“Our winner, Sara Arthur, presented a business model
that not only had potential to grow but one that offered
critical safeguarding measures for our armed forces
veterans, a provision that RMS hold high regard for.”