A GLOBE-trotting businesswoman has won an award for boosting a company's sales.
Julie Lightfoot, 33, has been named as Best Woman in International Trade in this year's North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.
In her role as managing director of Solar Solve Marine, at the St Hilda Industrial Estate in South Shields, she travels the world making sales. The family-owned firm, which was started by Ms Lightfoot's father, John, makes anti-glare sunscreens for ships' navigation bridge windows.
In the past year, Ms Lightfoot has travelled to many countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Greece and the US, winning orders in the face of stiff competition.
She said: "I was delighted to win this award, especially as I work in an industry which is dominated by men. I have been to a lot of countries in the last few months and I think the face to face contact has helped the firm to win orders from new customers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article