Final 50 are announced in women's Venus Awards in Portsmouth

Scores of guests were at the Peter Cooper Volkswagen dealership in Copnor for the announcement of 50 semi-finalists across 10 categories in the Venus Awards.

The awards, which are sponsored by The News, celebrate women in categories including ‘business mother’ and ‘young entrepreneur’.

Awards founder Tara Howard, from Bournemouth, said she was thrilled the scheme had attracted such strong support.

She said: ‘Sometimes we’re so desperate to get recognised for what we do because we don’t just work, we do all the home stuff, we take on a lot.

‘So when someone comes along and says “you’re doing a good job” it means the world.

‘I think women will always try and do too much.’

Lisa Baldock, from Fratton, was nominated in an ‘inspirational woman’ category.

Ms Baldock, who is deaf, volunteers with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.

She said she was delighted to be a semi-finalist in the awards. Ms Baldock said: ‘I do it as well as working a normal daytime job.

‘I do it to give back what they’ve given to me, with my hearing dog.’

Rhoda Joseph, director of Portsmouth’s Cascades Shopping Centre, is a semi-finalist in ‘director’ and ‘customer service’ categories.

Ms Joseph, who lives in Knowle, said: ‘It was a big surprise. I do my job to the best of my ability and I’d never imagined that I would be singled out for it.’

Annette Du Bois, from Selsey, is a semi-finalist in ‘new business’ and ‘inspirational women’ categories.

Ms Du Bois founded Champs Academy, which aims to build confidence in children.

She said of the awards: ‘I think it’s a celebration of all the things to do with women and what we are able to achieve, and it’s also a way to inspire the next generation.’

The finalists will be named on March 22. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Pyramids Centre in Southsea on May 6.

The Semi-Finalists are:

NatWest New Business of the Year

Maxine Fitzgerald – Armour Recruitment

Becky Lodge – Little Kanga

Isobel Nancarrow – Nancarrow Partnerships

Katrina Willis – Beautiful Bells

Samantha Worsey – Southsea Bathing Hut

Changes Clinic Inspirational Woman of the Year

Lisa Baldock – Hearing dogs for deaf people

Emma Hine – Beat the Bullies

Adel Kaseke – Curvyswan

Tricia Lyons – Marvels and Meltdowns

Charlies Reilly – The Reilly Enterprise Ltd

Peter Cooper Motor Group Influential Woman of the Year

Shandrika Day – Marvels and Meltdowns

Jenny Docherty – Jenny Docherty

Annette Du Bois – CHAMPS Academy

Lynne Vinton – Portsmouth Military Wives Choir

Emily Warne - Headromance

Shirlaws Lifetime Achievement Award

Sharon Bannister – Shazbaz Designs

Sue Beckett – Portsmouth Music Hub

Lizz Clarke – LCM

Karen Font-Garcia - Karen Font-Garcia

Maggie Sawkins – Tongues&Grooves

Portsmouth Business School Small Business of the Year

Annette Du Bois – CHAMPS Academy

Kelly Louise Jordan – Charmaine of Southsea

Joanne Martin – Creative Clique

Katie Fairhall- Katie Bakes

Lesley Weatherson – Lipspeaker UK

SMART Accountancy Entrepreneur of the Year

Emily Warne – Headromance

Lesley Weatherson – Lipspeaker UK

Abbie Curtis – Amoir Camaira

Maxine Fitzgerald –Amour Recruitment

Emma Weatherstone – Live Well Coaching

Checkaprofessional Professional/ Corporate of the Year

Charlotte Briere-Edney – That’s Solent

Liza Gatrell – Biscoes Law Ltd

Zara Hogg – Wilkins Kennedy LLP

Amber Leigh Mitchell – Abstract Dance & Performing Arts

Naomi O’Hara – Naomi O’Hara Permanent Cosmetics

Business of the Year

Joanne Barry – Platinum Care Solutions

Joanne Bushell – Aspex Visual Arts Trust

Jo Littler – Rare Moments Photography Ltd

Debora Parsons – Coffee Cup Portsmouth Ltd

Kelly Shaw – k:Spa

Director of the Year

Joanne Barry – Platinum Care Solutions

Stephanie Bellchambers – Biscoes Law Ltd

Catherine Carley – Parade Community Preschool

Maureen Frost – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce

Rhoda Joseph – Cascades Shopping Centre