EY announced its UK Entrepreneurial Winning Women class of 2019 last night at a dinner held at its UK headquarters, recognising female entrepreneurs who are ready to scale operations and become global market leaders.

Due to the strong quality and record-high number of applications to the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women (EWW) Europe programme this year, a group of 10 UK-based business leaders has been established in recognition of the outstanding candidates.

UK EY female entrepreneurs of 2019:

• Caroline Atkinson, Wargrave, In Cloud Solutions Limited
• Catherine Bennett, Whitchurch, Caboodle Technology Limited
• Nicola Chilman, Bath, EZ Education
• Sarah Davis, Bedford, Skills4Stem Ltd.
• Stephanie Hall, Windsor, Uptake Strategies
• Merilee Karr, London, UnderTheDoormat
• Kim Rihal, London, Equal Education 
• Sara Roberts, Edinburgh, Healthy Nibbles
• Marielle Wyse, London, Wyse London
• Breanna Yen, London, Curvestone

Last night’s event welcomed the female founders into EY’s global network of female entrepreneurs. 2017 EWW alumni Amanda Thomson, CEO and Founder of Thomson & Scott, a specialist in Champagne, Prosecco and Sparkling Alcohol-free Wine, shared her own experiences and journey while on the programme.

She commented: “At long last women are being recognised for our achievements and importantly, big ambitions in business. EY, with its incredible Entrepreneur programme, has uniquely long-recognised and supported female entrepreneurs who have plans to scale.  I count myself truly lucky to be part of this incredible network as my business grows.”

Joanna Santinon, UK&I Tax partner and Entrepreneur Of The Year UK partner sponsor at EY, said: “We’re truly inspired by this year’s uplift in the number of high-quality applications from female entrepreneurs in the UK actively seeking to take their businesses to the next level. These women have the potential to be a powerful economic force, paving the way for a greater presence of women-led businesses in the UK market.

“We recognise that access to successful role models and business-building networks is absolutely critical for entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs, to accelerate growth. Through this programme we hope to progress and guide a number of the UK’s fastest growing businesses led by women, helping them to realise their full capabilities.”