Posted: 10th June 2019
Elaine Pritchard, one of the three volunteer leaders of the WiRE Burton network, has been honoured for her achievements through networking at the fourth annual Woman Who Achieves awards.
More than 200 entries were received this year from across the UK, and Elaine was one of seven finalists in the category, Woman Who Achieves Through Networking.
“There were some amazing women in my category who had achieved so much through setting-up and running businesses and organisations ,” said Elaine. I was honoured to be alongside them as a finalist – but to be announced as the winner was a total shock and a delight.”
The awards were presented at a glittering lunch at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry, on June 7. Elaine received her award from Sue Tonks, owner of the innovative HydroVeg Kits, who sponsored the networking category.
Former newspaper journalist Elaine set up writing services company Caittom Publishing in her home village of Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, in 2010.
She has run the Burton WiRE network for a number of years alongside Lorraine Holden and Alison Bradley. They took up the reins from Joelle Harris and Karen Kirby who launched the network in 2011.
Elaine was also a founder member of Burton Small Business in 2014, which has organised three annual conferences in Burton. She was chosen as one of the national #SmallBiz100 (a national Small Business Saturday UK initiative) in 2015, which led to her showcasing her business at The Treasury and being invited to both 10 and 11 Downing Street.
Last year, Elaine, was invited to become a volunteer activist for the Federation of Small Businesses in Staffordshire and the West Midlands and will be supporting a new, free, mid-morning monthly networking opportunity, #FSBConnect, with them which relaunches at Dovecliff Hall Hotel on July 18.
Elaine said: “I believe networking is an important success factor for businesses but it also has a positive impact on our community. Networking groups, and the business owners who attend them, continue to support and promote good causes and charities. When networking opportunities help small businesses to grow and be more successful, more money stays in the local economy and everyone benefits.”
Elaine said: “There are many challenges in running a small business, especially for retail businesses on our high streets, but by coming together we can be stronger and achieve more. I would urge all local businesses to explore networking opportunities and see how it could help them and their local community.”
PICTURED: Sue Tonks (left) and Elaine Pritchard (right)
