Consultancy head Bev wins services award

THE head of business growth consultancy YTKO has been honoured at the First Women Awards ceremony in London.

Bev Hurley was among 11 pioneering British women celebrated at the event, hosted by BBC sports presenter Clare Balding at the Grand Connaught Rooms, where she scooped the Business Services award.

Ms Hurley is chief executive of YTKO and Enterprising Women and has dedicated the past 30 years to promoting entrepreneurial skills in others.

YTKO delivers Plymouth-based start-up organisations Outset Plymouth and Outset Finance.

Ms Hurley has grown the economic development and business support consultancy YTKO into new markets and regions, delivering growth in the public and private sector.

She was recognised particularly for her commitment to improving opportunities for female entrepreneurs and founders of business enterprises.

She said:

"The calibre of women shortlisted for these awards was exceptional, so I was thrilled, humbled and honoured in equal measure.

"My aims are to use the award to encourage the Government to unlock the huge economic potential of women in business, and inspire other successful female entrepreneurs to join me as a UK Ambassador and enterprise mentor."

The First Women Awards were created by Real Business and the CBI and held in association with Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets to honour women whose achievements open up opportunities for others.

Other winners included Carolyn Webster, the European programmes manager for Jobcentre Plus in Cornwall, who picked up the award for Public Service.