A NORTH Yorkshire business owner has been named North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year.

Rebecca Howard runs Cynergy, a specialist health communications and events agency based in Stokesley.

The company was named best small business at the annual Win – formerly Women Into the Network – awards, and Ms Howard was named overall winner, clinching the Susan Dobson Award for Entrepreneurship.

The judges praised the “substantial small business”, which works in the health and public sector, working on initiatives within the NHS and wider health and social care sectors, for clients including the Department of Health and primary care trusts.

Ms Howard, whose business employs 17 full-time staff and designed and built its own premises, said she was thrilled with the award.

She said: “We were all so delighted to even be shortlisted in the two categories, but to win both is just out of this world.

“This is as much for my team as for me, but if this can inspire one woman out there to turn their business idea into reality, or even to try, then I will be so pleased.”

Fiona Cruickshank, a former North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year and chairman of the judges, said: “Rebecca has a very focused vision of how the business should be run and its core values to make a difference.

She also has amazing enthusiasm for her team and the ability to attract outstanding talent to the North-East.

“Cynergy is a substantial small business employing specialist creative talent, unique in that it specialises in making a lasting difference and will not work for corporate clients.”

Other winners included Christine Pearce, owner of Hartlepool-based Restoration and Beyond, who was named the “one to watch”.

Judges were impressed with the strength of her business plan for her online business, which helps period home owners find specialist products and services.

Emily Humphrys and Alisobn White of Cambridge Research Biochemicals, Billingham, won the Innovation through Technology award.