SHEILA Gibbin, of Bells Stores, was the runaway winner at an awards ceremony celebrating the achievements of businesswomen across the region.

A human resources director, she has had to tackle enormous changes during the past 17 years.

The Women in Business Awards 2003 attracted more than 250 people to see ten of the North-East's top businesswomen take a range of accolades at Hardwick Hall, on Friday evening.

Professor Anna Maslin, author of Women at Work - Tips for Working Women, was guest speaker.

The awards ceremony was sponsored and organised by Enterprise Event Management.

Hilary Dunne, marketing manager, said: "The award is designed to recognise the truly outstanding achievement made by one woman towards the successful running of a business.

"Sheila Gibbin is already a winner. In the opinion of Enterprise Event Management, this lady stands out from the crowd, shows determination, courage and belief in her objectives and deserves beyond doubt to be awarded the Woman of Achievement Award 2003."

* Full report and pictures of all the winners will be published in a four-page special as part of the Business Echo supplement next Tuesday.