This year sees the tenth anniversary of the Winchester Business Excellence Awards, founded to celebrate Winchester district’s enterprising business community by the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the Hampshire Chronicle and Winchester BID. The Awards recognise the achievement of local businesses and reward them for their commitment to excellence in a number of categories from Eco Business of the Year to the Service Excellence Award.
Alresford Chamber member Rachel Drewer, a millinery designer, has been selected as one of four finalists in both the Entrepreneur of the Year and Rural Business of the Year award categories. Rachel started her millinery business in 2010 while still at college, and now designs and makes hats and headpieces for brides, wedding guests and racegoers from her studio near Micheldever. She also offers millinery workshops, and her latest venture, Millinery & Make-up, sees her join forces with local make-up artist Victoria Brown of Beauty Attitudes to offer a mobile creative party service for events such as hen do’s and birthday celebrations.
Rachel said “I’m so excited and honoured to be chosen as a finalist in these Awards! The local business community has been a great source of help and inspiration to me, and I’m delighted to fly the flag for innovative local enterprise”.
The Awards winners will be announced at a black tie evening at Winchester Guildhall on 15th June.