Five Wigan Businesswomen Reach EVA Finals

Five women from four Wigan-based businesses have been named finalists in the prestigious Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs), one of the UK's most respected platforms celebrating women in business.

The Enterprise Vision Awards recognise outstanding achievements, resilience, leadership, innovation, and business impact across a wide range of industries. This year's finalists from Wigan include Jo Leigh and Nichola Howard of Launch North West, Janine Rees of Vanliners, Kathryn Pearson of JGP Consultancy, and Susan Johnson of Intersect Cyber and IT.

Janine Rees, founder of Vanliners, has been nominated as the Business Woman of the Year. Vanliners is a firm from Wigan that specializes in commercial vehicle ply lining, flooring, conversion services, and accessories, and has helped many firms in the country, further establishing itself in the industries of automobiles and manufacturing.

Commenting on the nomination, Janine said: “Being selected as one of the finalists for Business Woman of the Year at the Enterprise Vision Awards is not only a great honour but extremely rewarding”.

“Business growth brings with it many challenges but awards like this make it all worthwhile”.

“I am immensely proud of everything we have accomplished at Vanliners thus far and I can’t wait to see what else lies ahead. This nomination is truly a fantastic achievement amongst such a wonderful collection of successful women in business.”

Susan Johnson, founder of Intersect Cyber & IT, is one of the finalists in the Best Business category. She runs a company that deals with cybersecurity, information technology support, and business protection services to help organizations enhance their security and minimize risks.

Susan explained, “The last few months have certainly had their fair share of hurdles, especially personally, and getting nominated for such an honor really lifted my spirits”.

“Enterprise Vision Awards is the largest event recognizing women in business across the UK, so it’s quite an honor to have received recognition amongst so many amazing businesses and women.”

Key Highlights

• Five Wigan businesswomen shortlisted across four prestigious categories.
• Finalists represent manufacturing, consultancy, marketing, and cybersecurity sectors.
• Winners will be announced at Blackpool ceremony in October.

Susan also thanked her team, clients, business partners, friends, and family, saying, “No matter what happens on the night, I am already incredibly proud to be a finalist at this event!”

Kathryn Pearson of JGP Consultancy is in contention for the Driven Leader Award. Her consultancy helps businesses with procurement, tendering and growth strategies in identifying opportunities for procuring government contracts.

Kathryn stated, “I’m honored to be nominated for an Enterprise Vision Award but I’m equally honored to be alongside other Wigan business leaders who have been shortlisted for their awards also”.

“To see Wigan represented at the EVAs feels really special.”

On the other hand, sisters Nichola Howard and Jo Leigh of Launch North West, based in Atherton, have been shortlisted for the Family Business award category. Formed in 2012, the business has become one of the most successful brand management, content creation and events agencies in the region of Wigan and Greater Manchester.

Nichola described becoming finalists as an emotional moment, saying: “Jo and I have built Launch together as sisters, so it has always been personal. We’ve had to find our own way, and that has shaped the business into what it is today.”

Jo highlighted the wider significance of the recognition, stating: “It feels significant. We are all running different businesses, in different sectors, with different stories behind us. But we are also putting ourselves out there, backing ourselves and showing up in spaces where our work deserves to be recognised.”

She added that such achievements inspire future generations, noting: “Our daughters notice. Our teams notice. Other women in business notice.”

The finalists will join leading women entrepreneurs and business leaders from across the UK at the Enterprise Vision Awards ceremony, where winners will be announced at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool this October.