PETER Cooper Motor Group opened the doors of its new showroom in Hedge End for a special event to announced the semi-finalists of this year’s Venus Awards in Southampton which recognise the area’s top businesswomen.

More than 60 guests from all corners of Southampton and the SO postal region were welcomed to the new £2.5 million showroom to hear that this year’s awards had exceeded all expectations with 1,291 nominations and applications received.

Associate Sponsor Peter Cooper Motor Group continues to support the Awards for a fourth consecutive year, and is also sponsoring the category of Influential Woman.

Darren Cooper, group managing director, said: “ It is quite a challenge to choose just five names from all the quality submissions in each category, but so important that the contributions and achievements of women in business are recognised. We’re very proud to be the Southampton Associate Regional Sponsor.”

The Southern Daily Echo is sponsoring the ever-popular Business Mother of the Year Award, one of two categories that are voted for by the public.

Natalie Sprake, Media Sales Manager for the Daily Echo said: “Each year we are overwhelmed by the women who enter and who juggle family life and running successful businesses in the south at the same time. It was great last night to finally meet some of the finalists at the fantastic new Peter Cooper showroom.”

Other Sponsors of the Southampton Venus Awards are NatWest, Dutton Gregory, Interlink Express, Rubicon Recruitment, Sandler Training, Rothmans LLP, bandv, Silkbow Bookkeeping, Shirlaws, Enhanced, and BAT.

Countess Mountbatten Hospice is this year’s Charity Sponsor.

The winners will be announced at the Hilton Ageas Bowl on April 15.

The Semi-Finalists are:

Dutton Gregory Business of the Year

Caroline Payne – Maraka Jacks Ltd

Freya Smith – British Nannies

Rosie Harris – One2create

Sally Pickles – Vanilla Catering and Events

Emily London – Treasure Gymnastics

Shirlaws Digital Media and Online Business Award

Teresa Francis – Feminine Wear

Adele John – Big Paw Animation

Sarah Sibley – Bake with Sarah Freya Smith – British Nannies

Aycin Wateridge – B Organic Ltd

BAT Entrepreneur of the Year

Emily London – Treasure Gymnastics

Melissa Edmunds – Zinch Designs

Sara Stephens – Bring and Mix

Sarah Quirk – Sarah Quirke Wealth Associates

Fiona Birnie - Sugarflick

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Group Influential Woman Award

Kate Underwood – Kate Underwood HR and Training

Priya Tew – Pilates with Priya and Dietician UK

Dr Roxana Carare – University of Southampton

Victoria Vickery – V:Squared Marketing

Aycin Wateridge – B Organic Ltd

NatWest Inspirational Woman Award

Amanda Haimes – Card Factory

Ashleigh Spice – The Photo Room

Michelle Goodyear – Curves Eastleigh

Alarna Harris – Jurys Inn Hotels

Marie-Claire Prettyman – The Movement Specialist

SMART Accountancy Small Business of the Year

Teresa Francis – Feminine Wear

Kaye Crush – Westgate Wealth Management Ltd

Louise Stagg – Get Set Go Karting

Melissa Edmunds – Zinch Designs

Kerry Herdman – Urban Eden Beauty Ltd

Silk Bow Bookkeeping Lifetime Achievement Award

Sharon Dawson – Eye-Candy

Gill Farnsworth – Countess Mountbatten Hospice

Jo Richardson – Newsquest Southern Daily Echo

Lesley Powell – Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd

Val Down – Act-On Business Solutions

Rothmans LLP New Business of the Year

Katy Handley-Quint – Olive’s Larder

Kate Underwood – Kate Underwood HR and Training

Lucy Shrimpton – The Sleep Nanny

Samantha Kingston – Virtual Umbrella

Sara Stephens – Bring and Mix