Pictured: Tracy Hamilton from Mash Direct has won the top Award at the 5th Annual Women in Business Awards held last night at the Culloden Estate & Spa. The Women in Business Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year 2015 was presented by Women in Business CEO Roseann Kelly and Kate Marshall. Also pictured are award winners Deirdre Vaugh Daly (Former Staff Commissioner for Education and Library Boards), Maria McDonagh (Adventures Day Nursery), Jacqui Walsh (Kitchenmaster NI LTD), Shauna Burns (Ulster Bank Limited), Lynsey Redpath (Argento), Adrienne Hanna (Right Revenue), Sinead Murphy (Shnuggle Ltd), Kate Burns (Ocean Veg Ireland Ltd), Marion Rybnikar (Chain Reaction Cycles), Tina McKenzie (Staffline Group Ireland), Katie Waddell (Spoon Street).

IT WAS ANOTHER sell out event for the Women in Business Awards at the Culloden & Spa recently with almost 400 from the business community attending the annual awards, now in their fifth year.

From frozen yoghurt company to children’s nursery to recruitment business, the Women in Business Awards celebrated the achievements of a diverse range of businesswomen.

Chief executive Roseann Kelly said; “The Women in Business Awards are a prestigious event in the local business and social calendar when we acknowledge and celebrate the determination, success and contributions of women from the business community across Northern Ireland.

“The Culloden was awash with inspirational women this evening from Madam Justice McBride to each of our very worthy finalists – such fantastic role models not just for females in business but for the business community as a whole.

“Indeed everyone in the room tonight should be proud of the role they play and contribution they make, no matter how big or small, to Northern Ireland’s economy. These awards are all about shining a light on their achievements and encouraging the next generation of female business women to be just as inspired and successful.”

The winners of the 2015 Women in Business Awards are:
· Award for Advancing Diversity in the Workplace (sponsored by Equality Commission for Northern Ireland): Deirdre Vaugh Daly, Former Staff Commissioner for Education and Library Boards
· Award for Best Customer Service (sponsored by Vistage): Maria McDonagh, Adventures Day Nursery
· Award for Best Exporter (sponsored by Fujitsu): Jacqui Walsh, Kitchenmaster NI LTD
· Award for Best in Professional Services (sponsored by Department for Employment and Learning): Shauna Burns, Ulster Bank Limited
· Award for Best Marketing Campaign (sponsored by JCDecaux): Lynsey Redpath, Argento
· Award for Best New Start Up (sponsored by Ulster Bank): Adrienne Hanna, Right Revenue
· Award for Best Small Business (sponsored by John McKee Solicitors): Sinead Murphy, Shnuggle Ltd
· Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (sponsored by Belfast City Council): Kate Burns, Ocean Veg Ireland
· Award for Excellence in IT (sponsored by the Irish News): Marion Rybnikar, Reaction Cycles
· Award for Outstanding Management and Leadership (sponsored by Deloitte): Tina McKenzie, Staffline Group Ireland
· Award for Young Businesswoman of the Year (sponsored by Q Radio): Katie Waddell, Spoon Street
· Award for Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year: Tracy Hamilton, Mash Direct.

With special thanks to the judges:
Ellvena Graham (Chair, NI Economic Advisory Group)
Evelyn Collins (Chief Executive, Equality Commission for NI)
Maureen Murphy (MD, Aurion Learning)
Roseann Kelly, Women in Business
Kate Marshall, Women in Business
Gary McDonald, Irish News