Awards announced for Moray women making their mark in business
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THE achievements of women in business across the region were celebrated on Friday as the winners of this year's Moray Business Women Awards were announced.
The awards presentation was live-streamed on Friday, November 20, with proceeds from ticket sales going to Moray Rape Crisis.
Hosted by journalist Nicola McAlley, virtual attendees enjoyed an inspirational talk from adventurer and Paralympic athlete Dr Karen Darke MBE and an after-party.
Winners were Ailsa Stinson, of B is for Brand; Sarah Holmes, of Pencil Me In; Alison Ruickbie, of The Re:Store Moray; and Katalin Urquhart, of Torta by Katalin.
Branding consultant Ailsa earned the Moray Business Woman of the Year title.
She has notched up 20 years’ experience developing UK and global brands and has worked with more than 25 local brands, including Windswept Brewing Co. and Moray Chamber of Commerce.
Sarah, owner of the high-end Elgin stationery shop Pencil Me In, took the Member of Inspiration award, the only award to be voted on by MBW members.
Alison won the Most Enterprising Business of the Year award.
She set up her Lossiemouth shop in September last year, motivated by a desire to reduce harm to the environment. The ethical shop offers packaging-free produce, loose store cupboard essentials and household liquids for refill.
Passionate baker Katalin took the Best New Product or Service award and has big plans to expand her Kinloss business.
She focuses on making and selling premium patisserie products that are not widely available in Moray, and uses edible flowers and microherbs grown locally in Duffus and Dyke by the Teeny Weeny Farm and Rising Roots Microgreens.
Keith community stalwart Rhona Patterson, owner and editor of Lifestyle magazine, was the recipient of the Covid Recognition Award.
Lifestyle is distributed across Moray and beyond and is also digitally available. During the pandemic Lifestyle has been distributed through link-ups with local businesses.
Rhona said: "The group's president, Clare Lock, and vice-president Amy Mortimer did an absolutely fantastic job of organising the event.
"And Karen Darke gave a completely inspirational talk – I could have listened to her all night.
"It was a brilliant evening."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: "I want to say a huge congratulations to the winners at this year’s Moray Business Women Awards.
"All of the winners and nominees run fantastic local businesses that are at the heart of our communities and play a big part in supporting Moray’s economy.
"A lot of these businesses have had to go to great lengths to overcome the challenges faced by Covid-19 and I know that many of them have really stepped up to help their local community through this really difficult year.
"I was delighted to gatecrash their online after-party to congratulate the winners and nominees in person, and to pay tribute to the good work that Moray Business Women are doing to support business owners across Moray."
