The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Award for inspiring business creator
Company director hopes her accolade will spur on others
A Peterborough businesswoman has been given a national award for inspiring others with her entrepreneurial story. Joanne Bass, founder of the now £4.2 million a year turnover XL Displays, in Manasty Road, has been named the winneroftheAthenacategory at the NatWest Everywoman Awards.
It is awarded to the most inspirational woman running a business which has been trading between six and nine years.
Judges were impressed by her battle against adversity and illness to create the business and lead it to success.
She said: “I am so proud and pleased to have won this award. It means so much for success to be recognised and makes all the hard work and sacrifices worthwhile.
“The awards ceremony was a fabulous event and it was a privilege to be amongst a group of such inspirational women.
She added: “This will spur me on to grow and expand XL Displays in the future and I hope it inspires other women andworkingmumstotakethe plunge into business.
“There is so much talent out there that needs to be recognised, encouraged andsupported.”
Joanne saw the opportunity that entrepreneurship offered during her maternity leave in 2010. Shegrabbedthe opportunity to set upaloneoffering a one stop shop for exhibition banners, stands and design.