A little bit of exciting news
I’ve been shortlisted in two categories at the EntreConf Awards 2026: Entrepreneur of the Year and Female Entrepreneur.
As entrepreneurs, we often talk about the difficult parts. The hours, the pressure, the juggle, the uncertainty and the amount of work that happens behind the scenes. There are plenty of moments when running a business can feel hard, but it is worth it. We also need to make space to celebrate the good bits.
Being shortlisted is a lovely reminder that the work is being seen and recognised. For me, that work has always been about supporting organisations to improve their workplace cultures, create safer environments and help people feel more confident having conversations around race equity, wellbeing and inclusion. On a personal level, it’s about showing what’s possible to the people coming through behind me.
Building a business around something you genuinely care about is not always easy, but moments like this make me stop, reflect and feel proud of how far we have come. Ten years on, we’re excited about the next chapter and the Allyship Community I’ve been busy building behind the scenes.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me, worked with me and trusted me with their teams.
On the other side of the table
I was also invited to join the judging panel for this year’s awards, which was a real privilege. As an entrepreneur myself, I felt I could bring a perspective on entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and what it really takes to build and grow a business.
What struck me most was the sheer amount of talent, innovation and passion across the South West. Reading through the entries was both inspiring and humbling.
Thank you to the EntreConf team for asking me to be part of the process.
The 2026 judging panel
The panel this year brings together a real mix of business knowledge and perspectives:
- Andrew Billingham, managing director of Aviva Arena
- Bianca Jones CIPD, founder and managing director of EDP Training Ltd.
- Claire Withers CTA, senior associate at Burges Salmon LLP
- Harriet Barter, co-founder of Floresco Media
- James Hirst, managing director of Bristol Creative Industries
- Lauren Crawley-Moore, senior business development manager at London Stock Exchange
- Nick Spicer FRGS, co-founder of Your Eco
Between them, their experience spans entrepreneurship, finance, professional services, sustainability, creative industries and major regional development. Sitting in a room with people who look at a business from that many different angles is a useful reminder that there is no single version of what success looks like.
