A Picture of Success

Pollyanna is no stranger to receiving awards for her acclaimed paintings of endangered species - but she has just been recognised for another aspect of her work.

Pollyanna was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ in the inaugural The Derbyshire Times Business Awards in a glittering ceremony at Hassop Hall. The award was created to recognise an outstanding individual who best demonstrates exceptional vision and leadership in the establishment and development of an owner-led business.

Editor Mike Watson opened the gold envelope to announce the winner, describing Pollyanna as “Someone who has achieved outstanding success in a market where so many have failed….. she is one of the best known faces in Derbyshire’’. The award was presented to Pollyanna by James Pogson of Northern Tea Merchants.

The Derbyshire Times is the UK's fourth biggest selling weekly newspaper, and their Business Awards recognise the skills of 21st century innovators, and reward business excellence across all sectors, private and public. The awards recognise the best within the region - from companies to individuals who are making their mark in what we all recognise are challenging economic times. The Awards are sponsored by the Derbyshire Enterprise agency.

The judges were highly impressed by Pollyanna's business skills. Starting out as a freelance artist in 1969, following five years at art college, she often found it very difficult to be taken seriously, but through hard work and determination is now at the very top of a field which remains very male dominated. Not only are her original paintings exhibited at top galleries internationally, but her published work - cards, fine art and limited edition prints etc. - are now sold throughout the UK, and exported into 83 countries around the world. Pollyanna has recently signed to a second publisher in the United States, now one of the biggest markets for her paintings. Her skill as an artist, combined with her professional reputation for meeting deadlines has lead to corporate commissions from many top companies including British Gas, the Derbyshire Building Society, Hoover, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton and Harrods, for whom she designs a range of exclusive gift ware.

Pollyanna has previously won the Hera award at at the prestigious NatWest everywoman Awards which celebrate the achievements of women in business. In 2006 she was awarded the Department of Trade and Investment's Women in Business Achievement Award. She has also been a finalist in the Midlands Businesswomen of the Year awards.

Last year she receieved one of the first Excellence in the Community from Derbyshire County Council, in recognition of her ‘outstanding personal achievement’ which has helped to put Derbyshire on the map, and earlier this year she was one of the three shortlisted finalists for the national Women in Public Life Awards.