Anna-Louise presented with UK Government Business Achievement Award

Pollyanna's daughter and business partner Anna-Louise has been honoured with the Department of Trade and Investment's Women in Business Achievement Award.

The award is a joint initiative between the UK government, Women in Business International and the British Exporter's Association. It recognises the achievements of high flying business women, and aims to inspire other women to the top of the workplace ladder.

Anna-Louise received her award from Andrew Cahn the chief executive of the department of trade and industry at a glittering awards ceremony in London's Knightsbridge. She is pictured above with fellow award winner Patricia Davidson,(left) director of Rotational Engineering, and Hero Ibrahim Ahmed,(centre) the wife of the President of Iraq, who was making her first overseas public appearance at the ceremony.

Women and Equality minister Meg Munn commented "Anna-Louise is a shining example to women who are still trying to break the mould in the workplace. This award will hopefully inspire a new generation of women who are embarking on their careers to go to the very top."

After leaving school Anna-Louise worked with a theatrical production company in London, where she helped to stage a variety of shows. At the time the company went bankrupt, Pollyanna's previous personal assistant had just left to start her own business, and Anna-Louise offered to 'fill in' temporarily, until a replacement could be found. However within a matter of weeks she found herself completely immersed in the business, and thoroughly enjoying the challenge of the job - and to the surprise of both decided to stay on full time.

Twelve years ago she became a director of the company Pollyanna Pickering Ltd, and is delighted to have been recognised for her part in the continued expansion and diversification of the business. The award especially recognises achievement in export - and through a close working partnership with fine art publishers Otter House Ltd, Pollyanna's fine art prints, cards and gift ware are sold in eighty countries world-wide.

Anna-Louise says that she feels incredibly fortunate to have a job which is constantly challenging and interesting, but which has also given her the opportunity to develop her own work as a photographer and writer. She was previously a finalist in the Cosmopolitan Woman of Achievement Awards for her work on the book 'Giant Pandas and Sleeping Dragons'.