THE founder of a North-East call centre empire will be crowned Britain's best businesswoman today.

Chey Garland, chief executive of Teesside-based Garlands, has won the Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year award.

Mrs Garland, 48, who narrowly missed out on the award three years ago, said: "I am absolutely ecstatic. This is the premiere business award for women."

Last year's winner was Linda Bennett, founder and chief executive of niche fashion retailer LK Bennett. The title has also been bestowed on the likes of Barbara Cassani, founder of low-cost airline Go, and Camelot chief executive Diane Thompson.

Mrs Garland, who was born in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, said: "The calibre of the previous winners shows they will be a great source of information and experience for me to draw on."

As part of the prize, she will join 34 other chief executives from companies in Europe, Australia and the US on an exclusive mentoring programme.

"It is important that I grow as my business continues to grow, so having access to this is superb," she said. "It is a wonderful network that could really benefit the business."

The former Middlesbrough High School pupil was one of five women shortlisted for the award.

The others were Lara Morgan, 47, founder of Pacific Direct, Carol Nash, 62, founder of an insurance company for motorcyclists, Sara Tremellen, 38, chief executive of retail company Bravissimo, and Elizabeth Wagstaff, 56, founder of the Robinia Care Group.

Garlands is one of the region's largest private employers, with a workforce of 2,800 across the Tees Valley.

A former tea girl, the 48-year-old opened her first call centre in 1997, after running a successful debt recovery agency.

It expanded rapidly, turning over £1m in its first year. Its blue-chip client list includes Vodafone, Virgin Mobile and Wanadoo.

For the year ending last October, the business grew by 74 per cent, from revenues of £16.2m to £28.2m, and pre-tax profits of £2.1m. This year's turnover target is set at £40m.

The company recently announced plans for further expansion, after taking possession of the first of four buildings at a multi-million pound call centre village, in Preston Farm, near Stockton.

The site is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs.