Business mother of the year: Jody Fletcher

Witney Gazette:

JODY Fletcher, above, was named the winner in the category for women juggling home and work, sponsored by the Oxford Mail. 
Director of Chilli Promotional Products and mum to two-year-old Lottie, she won a public vote online. 
The 37-year-old said: “I feel so excited. It’s amazing because the other finalists were really amazing. It’s really hard for everybody who has a family and works.
“Everybody deserves to win.” 
She said: “I will use it from a marketing point of view and it’s really good for my confidence.”
She was one of many businesswomen recognised at the Venus Awards at the Oxford Belfry Hotel on Friday. 
Speaking previously to the Oxford Mail, the mum explained how she balances work and family life. 
She said: “At the moment I work quite random hours because she’s only at nursery two days a week. 
“I don’t want to miss her growing up. The business will still be there in five years’ time. 
“Hopefully in the long run it will be really good for her to teach her a good work ethic. You have to work for things in life.”

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: CATHERINE BLAXHALL

AFTER working her whole life to help others, 63-year-old Catherine Blaxhall got some recognition herself with the Lifetime Achievement Award. 
The Farringdon resident is head of carers support at the Oxfordshire branch of Action for Carers, but has also worked for Oxfordshire County Council
She said: “I’ve spent the last 25 years working in social care, really striving to make things easier for people who are carers or vulnerable. 
“To have this recognised is absolutely amazing. I’m delighted.”

Witney Gazette:

Lifetime Achievement Award winner Catherine Blaxhall, above right, receives her award from Venus competition organiser Tara Howard

MEET THE OTHER WINNERS...

Networker of the Year: Placi Espejo
BICESTER businesswoman Placi Espejo put her social skills to use to become Networker of the Year. 
The 42-year-old is the manager of Bicester Vision, which helps private companies co-ordinate with public authorities. 
Also mum to nine-year-old Connor, she said: “The people I meet at networking things are not just contacts on LinkedIn or Twitter and Facebook, they are friends. 
“I didn’t really expect this at all; I was practising my ‘not-disappointed’ face all night.” 

Small Business Award: Sue Caulfield
FOR Sue Caulfield the awards ceremony was a chance to get out of hospital, where she has been for the last three weeks because of a broken leg. 
The director of the Oxfordshire branch of drainage company Metro Rod collected her award in a wheelchair and said: “This is amazing, I’m completely overwhelmed. I can’t quite believe it. 
The Oxford resident added: “My daughter and son-in-law are taking the business on while I’ve been away in hospital.” 

Green Business award: Susanne Austin 
SUSANNE Austin uses her business, the Oxfordshire Green Construction Network, to help other companies do their bit for the environment. 
The Chesterton resident, 51, said: “I don’t work, I follow my passion and joy. 
“Our environment is so important. This is my purpose: to help us and future generations to enjoy our planet.” 

Customer Service Award: Michelle Jennion
BUYING insurance is usually a nightmare, but Michelle Jennion works to make sure her clients avoid any headache. An insurance consultant at A-Plan Insurance, the Witney resident was named the best in customer service. 
The 28-year-old said: “It’s not so much an achievement, it’s an honour. I could not be more proud and pleased.” 

New Media and Online Business: Christine McRitchie
SINCE starting her business Earthwise Trading in 2004, Christine McRitchie expanded and now runs four online retail sites. 
The 42-year-old, from Long Wittenham, sells female and baby products. 
Also mum to Ellie, 16, Rebecca, 14, Lucy, 13, and Victoria, 11, she said: “For a while I was learning coding at midnight with a guide to HTML after putting my kids to bed.” 

New Business Award: Lin Worthy
WORTHY Conclusions aims to take the administrative angst out of arranging possessions and finances after a death, and founder Lin Worthy collected the new business of the year award. 
The Kidlington resident and grandmother-of-two said: “It’s been quite a hard slog getting it off the ground, so it’s great to be judged on my business plans and the work I’ve put in. It gives it a lot more clout. 
“It’s about making people sit up and take notice this is a serious subject.” 

Employee of the Year: Charlotte Cardosi
BEAUTY therapist Charlotte Cardosi was named the employee of the year for her work at My Beauty Room. 
The Didcot resident, 24, said: “I’m very overwhelmed, it’s really nice to get recognition for any hard work, for the salon as well. 
“It was really nice to have the support and loyalty from my clients.” 

Influential Woman of the Year: Cathy Dunbabin 
CATHY Dunbabin, owner of business networking company Opendoorz, has been named the year’s most influential woman. 
The 52-year-old, from Headington, said: “The most important thing for my career is to be able to make a difference for people. 
“I’ve always behaved in a considerate and generous manner and if I’ve influenced other people to do that, then that’s great.” 

Professional of the Year: Sarah Morris
DIRECTOR of Summertown-based HR management company HR2YOU, Sarah Morris was professional of the year. 
The 33-year-old, from Launton, said: “It’s not about prestige for me, it’s about the confidence that I’m doing the right thing.” 

Business of the Year: Alison Hargreaves
AFTER working on weddings for 10 years, Guides for Brides was crowned business of the year. 
Founder Alison Hargreaves, from Wantage, said: “I’m slightly embarrassed that it is my name on the award and not the names of every member of the team.” 
The 44-year-old said: “It is great to receive this recognition after we have all worked so hard to transform a magazine business to the biggest national wedding planning website.” 

Entrepreneur of the Year: Steph Croft-Simon
NOM Foods director Steph Croft-Simon was celebrated for her health food bars. 
The 26-year-old, from Headington, said: “I’m really pleased, it was a great honour. It’s nice to have some recognition for what’s been a great year but also lots of hard work. 
“It’s given me more confidence to keep working hard to achieve my goals, and it’s a great accolade for the business.” 

Home-Based Business Award: Jayne Johnson 
JAYNE Johnson was recognised for running her recruitment service Better People from her Wallingford home. 
The 56-year-old said: “There are lots of people out there running their own businesses, so it’s very humbling to be chosen. 
“It’s going to be a great boost for my confidence, but I’ll just carry on doing what I’ve been doing since I started.” 

Employer of the Year: Emily Boardman
PARTNER at legal firm Turpin and Miller, Emily Boardman was named employer of the year. 
The 38-year-old said: “We take great interest in making sure people are happy at work. 
“It’s just a really friendly place to work. I was an employee here long before I was made partner, so I’ve had both sides.” 

Inspirational Woman:  Nancy Hunt
KENYAN-born Nancy Hunt started The Nasio Trust, which helps give education and healthcare to orphaned children in Africa, taking on her mother’s work. 
Collecting her award, she said: “Growing up as a young girl I never thought I would travel, never mind collect this. 
“Thank you for all of this and for the support you help us give to children in Kenya who have literally nothing.” 

Young Entrepreneur: Amber-Lauren Ballantyne-Styles
ARTIST Amber-Lauren Ballantyne-Styles was named young entrepreneur for her art company Amber-Lauren Fine Art. 
The 20-year-old, from Garsington, also teaches children and adults in her studio.