The achievements of some of the North East’s most entrepreneurial women whose skills have helped to boost the region’s economy in the last year were recognised and celebrated last night.

The winners of the 12th annual North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards were revealed at a glittering ceremony at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Hotel.

The prestigious Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship was picked up by Julie Drummond, founder of North East marketing, creative and digital agency Drummond Central and board director of the Entrepreneurs' Forum.

Meanwhile, the Durham County Council-sponsored Best Small Business category was picked up by Barbara Croce, founder of Coffee Latino, Storm Tea, On Your Trike.

Sisters Jessica and Emily Jane Lathan were awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year with their unique vintage-inspired women's jewellery and headwear brand Rock ‘N Rose.

The Best New Business category, backed by the Federation of Small Businesses, was won by Michelle Taylor, founder of Gateshead-based luxury lingerie brand Tallulah Love Ltd and recognised for boldness in starting a business during a hard-hitting recession.

Other winners include Dorothy Craw of Recyke y’Bike, who won the Best Social Enterprise category, Louise Doyle of Bright Blue Training & Advisory Ltd, who received the Best Home-based Business Award, and Amanda Galbraith of Allendale Creative Artists CIC, who earned herself the Award for Best Rural Business.

WIN chair and founder of events management company She’s Gott It! Nickie Gott said: “The standard of entry this year was higher than it’s ever been, and there were many difficult decisions to make in selecting the winners.

“I would like to congratulate all of the shortlisted companies for showing incredible determination, leadership ability and entrepreneurship in these difficult economic times.”

Each year, the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards evening features a variety of entertainments, which this year included modern classic rock cover band The Traffickers providing live music at the event.

The Awards were sponsored by The Susan Dobson Memorial Fund, SpaceCraft, Durham County Council, Jaguar, Hazel Armstrong Ltd, Women into the Network (WIN), UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the Federation of Small Businesses, Barbour and Gateshead Council.

For more information on WIN, visit: www.womenintothenetwork.co.uk.

Here is the full list of winners from this year’s WIN awards:

Best New Business, sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses

Michelle Taylor, Tallulah Love Ltd

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Jessica and Emily Jane Lathan, Rock ‘N Rose

Best Small Business, sponsored by Durham County Council

Barbara Croce, Coffee Latino, Storm Tea, On Your Trike

Best Retail Business, sponsored by Barbour

Simone Clarkin, mmm…

Best Creative Business, sponsored by SpaceCraft

Julie Drummond, Drummond Central

Best Home-based Business, sponsored by Hazel Armstrong Ltd

Louise Doyle, Bright Blue Training & Advisory Ltd

Best Woman in International Business, sponsored by UKTI

Dianne Sharp, SCM Pharma Ltd

Best Women’s Network, sponsored by WIN

Julie Relf, Mums Business Club North East

Vicki Stone, Newcastle Business Mums

Best Use of Technology

Janis Green, SF Software Ltd / Pebble

Best Rural Business

Amanda Galbraith, Allendale Creative Artists CIC 

Best Social Enterprise, sponsored by Gateshead Council

Dorothy Craw, Recyke y’Bike

The Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship, sponsored by the Susan Dobson Memorial Fund

Julie Drummond, Drummond Central