EIGHT Dorset women have been named among the nation’s high flyers at the national Venus Awards.

They were among 40 regional winners who assembled in Basingstoke for the finals of the awards celebrating working women.

Helen McCarthy of Royal Bournemouth Hospital was named Inspirational Woman in Science and Technology.

The singer Jenny Oag of Jenny Oag Music took the Musical Talent award, while Romaine Lawson of the Christchurch-based care home provider Apple House Ltd won the Director of the Year title.

Beatrice Lafon of Christchurch-based electronics accessories distributor Kondor was named Influential Business Leader.

Georgina Hurcombe, managing director of Bournemouth’s LoveLove films was Entrepreneur of the Year, and Helen Jamieson of Ringwood HR consultancy Jaluch was Employer of the Year.

Chef Sarah Ali Choudhury was Influential Woman of the Year. Dawn Crossingham of D52ltd in Dorchester was Networker of the Year.

The awards were founded in Dorset in 2009 by Tara Howard and have expanded to cover four other regions including London.

Sarah Ali Choudhury said: “Words can’t describe what it feels like to be a national winner for Influential Woman. It has been a phenomenal experience to be part of what the Venus Awards and Tara Howard have designed. This incredible platform for women allows them to showcase themselves and progress to unlimited heights.”

Georgina Hurcombe, who has won a succession of awards and was named one of Business Insider magazine’s 42 Under 42 entrepreneurs to watch, said: “I am honoured to have won the national Venus Award. It is great that the Venus Awards support entrepreneurial women in business.”

She added: “Of course behind any entrepreneur is a great team – and I’m lucky enough to have such a fantastic team.”

Tara Howard said: “I’d like to add a personal thank you to each of our awesome awards sponsors, many of whom keep supporting us year after year. Their generosity makes the Venus Awards possible.

“It’s so heartening to see that more and more businesses of all sizes recognise the contribution that women can and do make to the success of business in UK.”

n Sixty semi-finalists have been picked in this year’s Venus Awards Dorset.

More than 120 nominees, guests and sponsors gathered at the Poole showroom of associate sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Poole for the announcement.