Downing street welcome for Carole Nash as entrepreneur wins Everywoman Award

Carole Nash, Executive Chairman of Carole Nash Insurance Consultants, has been named as the UK's most inspirational woman running a business aged over 50 at the inaugural everywoman awards.

Carole received the everywoman Hera award at a gala lunch opened by Minister for Small Firms, Nigel Griffiths and held at One Whitehall Place, before attending a reception at 11 Downing Street hosted by the Rt. Hon. Dawn Primarolo MP, Paymaster General to the Treasury.

The everywoman awards are designed to celebrate and honour the achievements of all women who start and run successful businesses and give recognition to inspirational businesswomen. Over 250 entrepreneurs entered the awards which are organised by everywoman, the UK's leading supplier of resources and support services for women who are starting or growing a business.
A prestigious panel of judges included Nigel Griffiths, Jane Asher, Proprietor of Party Cakes and Sugarcraft and TV presenter and author, Caryn Franklin.

The Hera award recognises the inspirational success of women over 50 with everywoman Co-Founders and Directors, Karen Gill and Maxine Benson commenting: “Carole Nash has achieved phenomenal success which has been unrelenting even in a challenged economic climate. We and all the judges were inspired by her extraordinary success and down-to-earth approach. She is testament to the saying that life begins at 40.”

The award recognised Carole's success in starting her business from scratch at the age of 42 and building it up to become the UK's biggest motorcycle insurance specialist and the UK's 39th biggest broker. Clearly delighted Carole said: “This is a great honour and one which I hope provides inspiration to other women whom, having raised their children like I did, are now looking for new challenges in the business world. I started with little in the way of money or business acumen and yet managed to create a market leading company. It goes to show that if you have the persistence and enthusiasm you can go a long way.”

Founded in 1985, Carole Nash Insurance Consultants now generates annual premium income in excess of £50m and employs over 400 people at its Altrincham headquarters and Dublin offices. As well as its core motorcycle insurance business it has diversified into the classic car sector and also operates successful motorcycle security, service and repair operations. It is now using its strength to launch into the mainstream motor insurance market.

The everywoman award is just the latest plaudit bestowed upon Carole Nash Insurance Consultants this year. At the British Insurance Awards the company was named Personal Lines Broker of the Year and took the prestigious Training Award. In a survey of 7,000 bikers by motorcycling magazine RiDE, Carole Nash was also voted the most used broker and achieved the highest satisfaction rating of 35 firms surveyed.