Downtown honours women in business

By Lancashire Business View

27 Nov 2017

Downtown Lancashire hosted its annual Women in Business Awards with an audience of more than 200 gathered to celebrate the winners.

Taking place at The Villa, Wrea Green, BBC presenter Jacey Normand hosted proceedings.

The big winners on the evening included Red Star Wealth Management (Business of the Year), Antonia Love of Farleys Solicitors LLP (Decade of Excellence), and Sarah Warren of UCLan (Chief Executive’s Award).

Frank McKenna, CEO of Downtown in Business commented: “The quality of the nominees and the winners this years were superb. As always, the Lancashire audience was first class, and we had a really cracking night celebrating the best in the business as far as female entrepreneurship and leadership is concerned.”

Full list of winners:

Newcomer of the Year Rachel and Lauren Finch, Finch Bakery

Employee of the Year Eleisha Cartlidge, Tienda Digital

Marketer of the Year Shahida Bibi, Printed Cup Company

Digital and Creative Award Susie Tucker, Daisy May Creations

Legal Advisor of the Year Stacey Turner, CG Professional

Financial Advisor of the Year Suzie Brooks, Brooks Accountants

Property Professional of the Year Sally Calvert, Napthens Solicitors

Recruiter of the Year Victoria O’Connor, Reed Global

Business Support Award Lesley Crowe, Blackpool Unlimited

Hospitality Award Sharon Brook, Samlesbury Hotel

Business Development manager Award Lucy Hodge, Merlin Entertainments

Female Leader of the Year Lisa Banks, UCLan

Female Innovator of the Year Rebecca Rowley, Beau Baby

Decade of Excellence Antonia Love, Farleys Solicitors LLP

Business of the Year Red Star Wealth Management Chief Executive’s Award Sarah Warren, UCLan

Latest news

1

Burnley shortlisted for £20,000 Let's Celebrate Towns grant Burnley Bid Street Cleaning

Burnley shortlisted for £20,000 Let's Celebrate Towns grant

13 Nov 2026

2

Universities and civic authorities unite to improve opportunities in county Eaf91ac1fe464d1580d6b0eae8307284

Universities and civic authorities unite to improve opportunities in county

13 Nov 2026

3

Lancashire business leaders among 27 for '27 Northern Stars Fourimagetemplatecomplete

Lancashire business leaders among 27 for '27 Northern Stars

12 Nov 2026

4

Profits flow at United Utilities United Utilities Watto Photos / Shutterstock.com

Profits flow at United Utilities

12 Nov 2026

5

BAE Systems order book hits £33bn bae-systems-samlesbury.jpg

BAE Systems order book hits £33bn

12 Nov 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event
LBV131 Magazine Launch Social720No Text 19 Nov 2026

LBV131 November/December Magazine Networking Event

The Landmark, School Lane, Burnley, BB11 1UF

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Business Day 2026
LBD26 WW Logo720 27 Nov 2026

Lancashire Business Day 2026

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Sub36 Reunion & Networking
03 Dec 2026

Sub36 Reunion & Networking

Burnley Football Club, BB10 4BX

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2027
NZC27 Social 1200x800Generic 1 11 Feb 2027

Lancashire Net Zero Conference 2027

The Wellbeing Farm, Edgworth, Wheatsheaf Hill Farm, Plantation Road, BL7 0BY

09:30 - 02:00

Help to Grow: Management Course
Help To Grow 25 Sep 2026 - 15 Dec 2026

Help to Grow: Management Course

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:30 - 12:00

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 18 Nov 2026

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

09:00 - 13:00

Great Winter Pie & Pea Social
Lancaster And Morecambe Logo 1 19 Nov 2026

Great Winter Pie & Pea Social

The Royal Hotel & Bar, Lancaster, LA1 1YD

17:30 - 20:00

Neurodiversity at Work - A Free Event
Event graphic 1200x800@1x.png.png 20 Nov 2026

Neurodiversity at Work - A Free Event

Lancashire FA, Leyland , PR252LF

09:30 - 12:30

Neurodiversity Awareness and Support Training
20 Nov 2026

Neurodiversity Awareness and Support Training

Neuro Spark Training Solutions, Burnley , BB11 2AS

09:00 - 16:00

Degree Apprenticeship Careers Fair
LBV Website Events GraphicCareers Fair 21 Nov 2026

Degree Apprenticeship Careers Fair

University of Lancashire, Foster Building, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Freelancer Meet-Up: November
 Freelancer Meet-Up Square NOV.png.png 24 Nov 2026

Freelancer Meet-Up: November

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

Seriun Cyber Round Table
Seriun-Roundable-3.png.png 25 Nov 2026

Seriun Cyber Round Table

Albert’s Standish, School Ln, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0TD

11:00 - 14:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV130 Online GraphicWebsite
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin