A NUMBER of Sussex companies are in the running for the national mumandworking awards 2016 being held tonight in the City of London.

The awards celebrate “family friendly working, parent-preneurs and the businesses that support them”.

They are now in their seventh year featuring a number of categories from Best Start-Up to Most Inspiring Business Parent.

At a time when the “march of the mumpreneur” shows no sign of abating, the awards highlight the benefits that flexible, family friendly working practices can bring to parents, children, industry and the UK economy and showcase the empowering individuals and businesses making it happen.

Leading business mothers and high-profile supporters will be joining the 170 plus winners, finalists, attendees and VIP guests.

Sussex companies shortlisted include:

  • Choc Chick – Galia Orme. This company is based at the Knoll Business Centre in Old Shoreham Road, Hove.
  • Officreche, which has offices in Dyke Road, Hove, and promotes flexible childcare.
  • Water Babies Brighton, of Hollingbury Place, Brighton, who are up for two awards.
  • ABC magazine, the longest established, free parenting magazine in the south, also based in Brighton.
  • The Vlog Academy, a centre for video blogging.
  • Mumpreneurs Net- working Club, business networking for mums across Sussex.
  • Claritaco, digital media and marketing.
  • Shake It Up Creative, marketing, PR and web design in Westcourt Road, Worthing.

Speakers at the event will include Julie Baker, head of enterprise for NatWest/ RBS Business Banking and Sarah Willingham, serial entrepreneur and business investor, leading consumer expert and BBC Dragon (supporting).

Also there will be Caprice Bourret, CEO and founder of By Caprice Products, and Sarah-Jane Honeywell, actress, TV and radio presenter.

Headline Sponsor is Vorwerk UK and the event is hosted by NatWest.

Why are these awards so special?

They highlight amazing individuals, inspiring employers and the many advantages of flexible, family friendly employment.

The awards are all about:

  • Empowering parents to achieve their potential
  • Realising the enormous commercial benefits of flexible working to employers and business owners
  • Recognising the substantial contribution to the UK economy
  • Supporting modern-day, family life
  • Celebrating the importance of the UK’s parent-preners.