Latest News

Emma Day wins ASB Most Enterprising Business Award

The Highlands has Talent! For the second year in a row, the Most Enterprising Business Award from the Association of Scottish Businesswomen (ASB) goes to the Highlands. Emma Day from Highland Biosciences Ltd, won the HBWC Award for the same category last March, and went on to represent the Highlands at the ASB Awards, scooping the national award at the prestigious Awards Dinner in Troon last Friday 12th September. Congratulations to Emma!

Glad Rags at Mags a Success
The quality clothes sale at Maggie's Highland on Saturday 6th September was a big success, raising just over £1,000! Many thanks to all who contributed or helped in any way.
Amongst the fantastic clothes donated there were a few stunning - new! - wedding dresses, some of which have remained unsold. They will be shown at the Eastgate Fashion Show on Tuesday 11th November, and will go to the highest bidder.

'WOMEN IN BUSINESS'
Wednesday 1st October, 12noon - 7pm
Drumossie Hotel, Inverness.

This business exhibition in beautiful surroundings with plenty of parking, will provide and ideal opportunity to present your business to both the public attending our open event but also to fellow members. Not to mention some serious networking!

Exhibition stands will be located in the function suite of the Drumossie Hotel with workshops / breakout session held throughout the afternoon in the Culloden suite. The workshops include: recruitment, sage, marketing, Employment Law & Safety in the Workplace, Tax & VAT and HIE presentation on Knowledge Transfer.

Special Guest Speaker at 12:30pm:
David Sutherland of Tulloch Homes; "The future of Business in the Highlands"

Exhibition stands can be booked in either:
6ft at a cost of £50 for club members / £100 for non-members, or
12ft at a cost of £100 for club members / £150 for non-members

Included in the charge for a stand is table linen, lunch for 1 and morning and afternoon coffee/tea. Additional lunch and tea/coffee tickets can be purchased in advance at a cost of lunch: £12 and tea/coffee: £3.
Stands will be allocated on a first come basis.

For more information and to book see Next Meeting.

ENTRY TO THE EXHIBITION & THE WORKSHOPS IS FREE

Young Enterprise Business Advisers

Anyone willing to give time to this most worthwhile project should either email linda.thomas@virgin.net or phone Linda on 01349877258.

See Mama Mia at a discount!

Mama Mia is showing at Eden Court from 11 - 24 July and members of HBWC can see it with a discount. Just show your HBWC card for the concessionary £5 ticket rate. In addition groups of 10 will get one ticket free. Groups should prebook and quote HBWC.

ASB seeking support for Wildhearts Trust

The ASB have joined with The Wildhearts to launch our own Wildhearts Trust Group with the money raised going primarily to women wishing to start or expand their businesses in Ghana. More information on the Noticeboard.

Awards Winners Announced!

HBWC Awards for Achievement 2008

The Club's Annual Awards Dinner, held on Friday the 14th of March at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness, was again a greatly entertaining evening.

With Sally Magnusson as our host and guest speaker for the evening, the prestigious HBWC Awards were presented to this year's well deserving winners.

The HBWC Most Enterprising Business of the Year Award went to
Emma Day of Highland Biosciences
The HBWC Business Woman of the Year Award went to
Hazel Passmore of Hazel Passmore Contemporary Jewellery
The HBWC Professional Business Woman of the Year (employee) went to
Jane Fraser of Cobbs

MAGGIE'S HIGHLAND CHOSEN CHARITY FOR 2008/2009

At the AGM it was announced that the members of the club have voted for Maggie's Highland to be the charity the club will support for 2008/2009.

ASB AWARDS 2008 - nominations invited

The Association of Scottish Businesswomen are inviting nominations for 2 categories of their awards:

The ASB Outstanding Contribution to Business Award, which showcases achievement among the female business community in Scotland. It is not necessary to be a member of a businesswomen's club for this category to enter.

Amongst the criteria Judges will assess are:

The Individuals contribution to business and the professions in Scotland including, but not exclusively, promoting the role of women.
Demonstration of value added/ evidence of having “given back” to business/the community.
Drive and determination
Demonstration of commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility
Though not principal assessment criteria, a strong business/career track record, Networking, Leadership and Communication skills are a pre-requisite and should be evidenced within the application/judging process.

The ASB Young Business of the Year Award, which is open to businesses that have been trading for less than 3 years.

Amongst the criteria judges will assess are:

Originality of business idea
Marketing strategy and business development mechanisms in place
Use of IT to develop and promote business
Leadership and communication skills displayed
Organisational and planning ability

It is NOT necessary to be able to demonstrate all of the criteria before applying. Both awards are open to all employed and self-employed women in the business professions, private, public and voluntary sectors in Scotland.

The deadline for entries to be in with the ASB is the 4th July.

Award nominees will be shortlisted by the 18th July. Judging will be on the 7th August.
The ASB Awards Dinner will take place on the 12th September in Marine Hotel in Troon.

Email us for an application form if you are interested.

HBWC AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT 2007

HBWC Director/Self-Employed Business Woman of the Year

Donna Barnett, Unique Beauty

Shortlisted
Denise Barras, Les Enfants Nurseries Limited
Angela Paterson, HiJobs.co.uk Limited

HBWC Most Enterprising Business of the Year

Les Enfants Nurseries Limited (Denise Barras)

Shortlisted
HiJobs.co.uk Limited (Angela Paterson)
Celtic Source (Margaret Kirk)

HBWC Professional Business Woman of the Year (employee)

Louise Innes, Halifax Bank of Scotland plc

Shortlisted
Zoe Wishart, Blue Arrow/ABC Contract Services, Inverness
Claire Macdonald, Highland Homeless Trust

Congratulations to all the winners, thanks to all who took part and to the sponsors.