A BRIDGWATER businesswoman picked up a special award at the Houses of Parliament recognising her success.

Rose Stacey, who runs popular town firm Timeless Images, was welcomed to Westminster by MP Sir Ashley Fox (Conservative, Bridgwater), where he presented her with HERo status.

MP HERoes celebrate women business owners from each UK constituency, highlighting successful founders and business women.

The cross-party national initiative was created by innovative think tank Savvitas and established in partnership with NatWest.

Rose was among recipients who travelled to Parliament on Wednesday, November 20, during Global Entrepreneurship Week to collect her award.

During her visit, Rose joined a roundtable discussion and networking reception with other MP HERoes, as well as meeting up with Sir Ashley.

She said: “It was a real privilege to be part of this group of businesswomen, all of whom are working within their own communities helping and encouraging others.”

“It was fascinating to talk about getting women and girls into business and encouraging the media to paint a positive picture of creating a business,” she went on.

“I am now part of this amazing group of women and will be invited to attend other events in the future.

“I do feel honoured to be recognised and championed as an MP HERoes Businesswoman – it is such a privilege, thank you very much.”

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MP Sir Ashley said: “I was pleased to nominate Rose for this award celebrating women in business. She has built a successful business with Timeless Images and made a significant contribution to the wider business community through her work with the Bridgwater Town Team, Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce, and the annual Snowflakes Christmas event.”

Helene Martin Gee, Savvitas founder, Parliamentary Adviser and creator of the programme, said: “We’re seeing encouraging growth in female enterprise and it’s great that MPs are supporting the award as recognition of the valuable contribution women-led businesses make to the economy and to their local community.

“As Savvitas collaborates with NatWest and others to promote and support female enterprise, I hope we’ll see many more women choosing entrepreneurship.”

Yvonne Greeves, the director of women in business for NatWest Group, added: “It’s great to be working with MPs and with Savvitas to champion women business owners as MP HERoes, we’re also supporting the women entrepreneurs by running workshops on how they can take their businesses to the next level, based on material we teach to entrepreneurs in the 14 NatWest Accelerator Hubs nationwide.”

For more information, visit www.mpheroes.com.

Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox with Rose Stacey, who runs Timeless Images in Bridgwater