The CEO of a company which supports the deaf community in Blackburn has won an award at a national ceremony celebrating women in business. 

On Friday September 29, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool hosted the UK’s largest female focussed business awards; the Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAS).

Female powerhouses, trailblazers and innovators showcased outstanding female entrepreneurship from all four corners of Great Britain. 

Debra Cartlidge, CEO of The Deaf Village in Blackburn, won the highly contended Outstanding Achievement Award for her exemplary work supporting the deaf community.

Overcoming personal adversity and discrimination, in 2006 she founded this highly respected charity offering support and advocacy services for people with hearing loss.

Lancashire Telegraph: Debra Cartlidge and Heather Waters, Regional Enterprise Manager, Manchester of NatWest Debra Cartlidge and Heather Waters, Regional Enterprise Manager, Manchester of NatWest (Image: Pink Link Ladies)

In 2022, she opened The White House, a specialist deaf provision communal living environment which achieved a £330k turnover in the first year of trading.

She has shown that social enterprise and entrepreneurship can work hand in hand to ensure both businesses have a strong, sustainable and resilient future.

In her acceptance speech, Debra said: "I really did not expect this.

"To make the idea of the Deaf Village from a dream into reality, I sold everything and moved myself and family from a house and lived in a caravan.

"People said it wasn’t achievable, that I was crazy, but we have created the most amazing village and community for all.

"My mother said never take no for an answer, and although you will get lots of no’s, you have to accept it as there is always someone who gives you that chance.

"This award is for all you women out there. You work really hard and we manage to do everything, family, lives work and business so this award is for you."

Now in its twelfth year, the EVAS are a beacon for women who are driving change to showcase their successes and achievements.

From nominations to the ceremony, opportunities are signposted along the way to help both entrants and sponsors make valuable connections and open doors to opportunities to grow their business. 

The awards highlighted the work of 117 outstanding women, a diverse range of businesses were represented and there were many examples of innovation, creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial flair and Lancashire led the way to the podium with eight winners.

Coral Horn, founder of the EVAS said: “We’re here to champion women in business, from startups to global brands, charities to industrial giants, the EVAS brings together supporters of female entrepreneurship to empower and inspire.

"All generations came together to show their appreciation and there were children present who were inspired by their amazing mothers – maybe we’ll see some of them on the EVAS stage in the future.”

The full list of winners are:

  • Best Business Winner - Fiona Hull of Construction Q, sponsored by Chorley Council
  • Best Business Highly Commended Award - Lisa Brady of Perfect Recruitment, sponsored by Chorley Council
  • New Business Winner  - Lisa Baskott of 2nd Line of Defence, sponsored by Maria Fogg Family Law
  • Professional Services Winner - Preeti Choudhary of Pro-Business Consulting, sponsored by Stella Insurance
  • Hospitality Industry Winner - Gina Pennington of Penningtons Tea and Coffee, sponsored by The Pie Mill
  • Retail Business Winners - Alex and Jenny McFadden of Pretty Mama, sponsored by Nexatrak
  • Young Entrepreneur Winner - Imogen Southwood of iLashed by Imogen, sponsored by UCLAN
  • Training & Coaching Winner - Jodie Salt of Womanifest CIC, sponsored by Del Parsons Coaching
  • Diverse Business Winner - Becky Toal of Crowberry Consulting, sponsored by United Utilities
  • Family Business Winners - Andrea and Charlotte Fogg of Maria Fogg Family Law, sponsored by Merchandise 4 Impact
  • Creative Industry Winner - Helen Taylor of Glazey Days
  • Customer Services Highly Commended Award - Joan Lind of Trybooking.com, sponsored by Coral Island Blackpool
  • Customer Service Winner - Helen Quayle of LaserHQ, sponsored by Coral Island Blackpool
  • Health & Wellbeing Winner - Hanna Sillitoe of Hanna Sillitoe Skincare, sponsored by Essentialise
  • Digital Industry Winner - Christina Melling of Stipendium, sponsored by the Centre of Excellence
  • Sustainable Business Winner - Victoria Coe of KinKind, sponsored by Crowberry Consulting
  • Employer Winner - Heidi Nursey of Visiting Angels Central Lancashire, sponsored by Porsche Centre Preston
  • Not for profit Winner - Sam Ashcroft of Headway Blackpool Wyre Fylde, sponsored by Blackpool Transport 
  • Business Woman of the Year - Maxine Laceby of Absolute Collagen, sponsored by BioGrad
  • Inspirational Woman of the Year - Victoria Abbott-Fleming MBE of Burning Nights CRPS Support, sponsored by Pink Link
  • Outstanding Achievement Winner - Debra Cartlidge of The Deaf Village, sponsored by NatWest

The 2024 Enterprise Vision Awards will open next year on March 8. For more information, contact Coral Horn at www.enterprisevisionawards.co.uk