DWIB Online Networking Event (Second Thursday)
2026-06-11 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-07-09 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-13 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-09-10 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-10-08 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-11-12 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-12-10 09:30 - 11:00 (Europe/London) | On Zoom, Devon, United Kingdom
DWIB Online Networking (Second Thursday)
Join Devon Women in Business for our friendly monthly online networking session, held on the second Thursday of each month. It’s your chance to take time out to meet and chat with other members.
DWIB online networking is friendly, supportive, and welcoming. Whether you run an established business, are just starting out, or are thinking about your next step, you’ll find a warm community ready to connect.
For details of our speakers, please visit our events pages on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Your hosts: Louise Jenner, The Dream Job Coach and Maureen Townsend from Accentuate Visuals.
👉 Book Here
NOW Free and unlimited for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum members.

DWIB Awards 2026 - Launch
2026-06-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Dartington Hall, The White Hart, Dartington Hall, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EL, United Kingdom
DWIB Awards 2026 Launch
The countdown to the DWIB Awards 2026 officially begins… and you’re invited to be part of it.
Join us for a relaxed and inspiring Awards Launch Brunch as we open entries for the DWIB Awards 2026, our annual celebration of the incredible women, allies, and businesses making waves across Devon.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Dartington Hall, this mid-morning event is your chance to:

✨ Be first to hear all about the 2026 Awards categories

✨ Meet our magnificent DWIB Awards sponsors

✨ Get insider tips on how to submit a strong entry

✨ Connect with fellow members, previous finalists and winners

✨ Enjoy delicious brunch and refreshments while you network

Whether you’re thinking of entering yourself, nominating someone else, sponsoring the awards, or simply soaking up the energy, this event is designed to inform, inspire, and encourage you to put yourself forward.
💖 All categories open for entries from launch day💖 You do not need to have entered before (but previous entrants are welcome to apply again!)💖 You absolutely do not need to feel “ready” (most winners didn’t!)
The DWIB Awards are about visibility, confidence, community, and celebrating success in all its forms, not just turnover and titles.
Come along, raise a glass (or a coffee cup), meet the faces behind the Awards, and take your first step towards the DWIB Awards 2026.
We cannot wait to welcome you.
💫 Previous DWIB Award Winners are invited to talk about their experiences and the impact that winning their awards had on them and their business.
💫 Platinum and Gold members and sponsors are invited to showcase their businesses by displaying banners, leaflets and other promotional material.
Brunch
Enjoy fresh fruit juice, tea or coffee and a delicious brunch in the White Hart Inn
Brunch to include:

Fresh orange juice
A selection of pastries
Fresh fruit platters
Tea and Coffee
Jugs of water for the table

Transport & Parking
By Car: Take the Dartbridge exit from the A38 towards Totnes. Turn left into the grounds of Dartington Hall by Dartington Church. Follow the lane and park in the designated car park by Dartington Hall. Register your car at reception to enjoy free parking!
Tickets
Tickets must be booked in advance. Please scroll down to book yours now. Members’ discounts apply.
Hosts
Your Hosts: Louise Jenner and Maureen Townsend.
Venue
Dartington Hall is a Gold Member of Devon Women in Business and Sponsor of the DWIB Awards 2026.

DWIB Online Networking Event (Last Monday)
2026-06-29 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-27 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-24 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-28 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-10-26 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-11-30 12:00 - 13:30 | On Zoom, Devon, United Kingdom
DWIB Online Networking (Last Monday)
Join Devon Women in Business for our friendly monthly online networking session, held on the last Monday of each month (unless there’s a bank holiday!). It’s your chance to take time out to meet and chat with other members.
DWIB online networking is friendly, supportive, and welcoming. Whether you run an established business, are just starting out, or are thinking about your next step, you’ll find a warm community ready to connect.
For details of our speakers, please visit our events pages on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Your hosts: Louise Jenner, The Dream Job Coach and Maureen Townsend from Accentuate Visuals.
Book Here
NOW Free and unlimited for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum members.

Workshop: Succeeding at Business Awards
2026-07-01 10:00 - 12:00 | The Tribe SW Ltd, The Tribe SW Ltd Office 1, The Byre Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6LH, United Kingdom
Succeeding at Business Awards
Thinking about entering a business award this year? Whether you are considering the Devon Women in Business Awards or another awards scheme, this practical workshop will help you approach the process with clarity and confidence. Entering awards for the first time, or even the second or third time, can feel daunting. This workshop is designed to remove that uncertainty and help you present your business in a way that truly impresses the judges.
You will leave with a clearer understanding of how awards work, what judges look for, and how to give your entry the best possible chance of success.
What we will cover
• Why entering awards can benefit your business• Nomination vs self-entry• Choosing the right awards for your business• The entry process explained• Do’s and don’ts when completing your entry• Good and bad examples of award submissions• Evidence to strengthen your application• How to maximise the benefits before, during, and after the awards

About Maureen Townsend
Alongside her work with Devon Women in Business, Maureen runs her photography and marketing business Accentuate Visuals, based in Torquay.
Maureen brings extensive awards experience. She has served as a judge and steering group member for Newsquest Media Group in Hampshire, coordinated and judged the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce Awards in the South East, and for the past six years has organised and judged the Devon Women in Business Awards. With 28 years’ experience supporting businesses, including previously serving as CEO of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, she brings a wealth of practical insight into what makes a winning entry.

Event Details
📍 Venue: The Tribe🕙 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon💷 Price: Free for DWIB members; £15 for non-members

If you’ve been thinking about entering awards but weren’t quite sure where to start, this workshop will give you the knowledge and confidence to go for it.

DWIB Networking Buffet Lunch
2026-07-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 3AF, United Kingdom
DWIB Networking Buffet Lunch at Newton Abbot Racecourse
📅 Wednesday 8th July 2026
🕛 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
📍 Newton Abbot Racecourse, Teign Suite
Devon Women in Business is delighted to be hosted by Platinum Member, Newton Abbot Racecourse, for this Networking Buffet Lunch.
We’ll be gathering in the Teign Suite, which offers beautiful views overlooking the racecourse and surrounding countryside. Whether you’re looking to make new connections, strengthen existing relationships, or simply enjoy a great lunch with fellow women in business, this is the perfect opportunity to step away from your desk and spend a couple of hours in excellent company.
Nestled beneath Dartmoor and conveniently located close to both the A380 and A38, the racecourse is easy to reach from across Devon and offers plenty of free parking.
Hosts: Louise Jenner and Maureen Townsend from DWIB and Jenny Paton from Newton Abbot Racecourse.
Buffet Lunch Menu
Our hosts’ award-winning chefs will prepare a delicious light buffet lunch, including:
• Selection of freshly made sandwiches (meat, fish, and vegetarian fillings)
• Seasoned potato wedges (V)
• Mini cheese & onion pasties (V)
• Mini meat pasties
• Honey, soy & mustard pork sausages
As always, DWIB events are welcoming, supportive, and designed to help you build meaningful business connections in a friendly environment.
We look forward to welcoming you.
💖 Devon Women in Business

DWIB Simply Networking - Bideford
2026-07-16 10:30 - 12:00 | The Old Foundry Venue & Forge Bar, Bridge Street Car Park, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2BU, United Kingdom
DWIB Simply Networking in Bideford with World Class Adventures
DWIB Simply Networking in Bideford is a great way to get together with other women in business. With no lunch, brunch, or dinner to pay for, the focus is simply networking! Of course, we’ll keep you going with teas and coffees. As ever, this is a women-only event with a friendly and informal vibe and this time we have a speaker too!

Speaker
Selaine Saxby: “I am a financial planner, committed to helping people improve their family’s financial future. I focus on problem-solving and consolidating large quantities of information to find and deliver the most suitable solutions. Highly numerate, with a first-class degree in Mathematics and Management Studies from Cambridge University, I bring a wealth of life experience: having run my own business, taught mathematics, and served as a Member of Parliament from 2019-2024, including being a Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Treasury and member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee throughout. I know life doesn’t always go to plan, but I work to improve your family’s financial resilience for the long term.”

Venue
The Old Foundry Venue & Forge Bar is our venue for this event. With its rustic barn design, it features stunning hand-crafted barn doors fitted with oversized black forged door hardware. The woodwork is intentionally scorched, illuminated by an orange glow, creating a vibrant and fiery ambiance.
Located in Bideford’s Bridge Street car park, the newly renamed Old Foundry Venue and Forge Bar was once home to Tardrews Iron Foundry, situated behind the Chopes of Bideford clothing department store. The venue is still owned by the Chopes family and leased to husband-and-wife duo Donna and Simon Henry, who have transformed it into a thriving events venue and the catering quarter of Bideford.
Your Host

Bridget Perriman from World Class Adventures is your host for this event. Please contact DWIB with any queries you may have.
Timings

10.30 – 11.00 am – Welcome & Intros
11.00 – 11.45 am – Simply Networking – Your chance to find out what other members do for a living and to share information about your business too!
11.45 – 12.00 noon – Close

Transport & Parking
Car-sharing is encouraged – please post in our groups on Facebook or LinkedIn if you’d like to offer a lift to others.
Tickets
Please scroll down to book your tickets. Members’ discounts apply. Non-members and guests, please select the standard ticket or create your membership now and enjoy a discount on this and all future events!

Selaine Saxby, Financial Adviser

DevonDays Festival
2026-07-31 - 2026-08-02 | Holwell Farmhouse, Bampton, Devon, EX16 9AD, United Kingdom
DevonDays Festival

Our members are invited to discover DevonDays Festival – an intimate new countryside celebration at Holwell Farmhouse, near Bampton, bringing together celebrated female chefs, artisan producers, live music and wellness experiences across one carefully curated summer weekend. Designed to feel relaxed, immersive and deeply connected to the land, reconnecting with produce and products, DevonDays celebrates the very best of the South West’s creatives.

DWIB Members’ Discount 💖
DWIB Members enjoy a 15% discount with this code: DWIB15

Book your tickets here: http://www.holwellfarmhouse.co.uk/devondays

👀 View the DevonDays Festival Flyer

West Country Women Awards Online Quarter Finalists Reveal
2026-08-19 10:30 - 12:30 | Devon

Workshop - AI for Your Business
2026-09-01 09:30 - 12:00 | The Tribe SW Ltd, The Tribe SW Ltd Office 1, The Byre Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6LH, United Kingdom
AI for Your Business
Meet your next best business buddy
Tuesday 1 September 2026 | The Tribe, Berry Pomeroy
Free for DWIB members | £10 for non-members
Have you tried AI but aren’t quite sure what all the fuss is about?
Perhaps you’ve asked it to write a social media post, received something that sounded nothing like you and quietly wandered off again!
Or maybe you’re already using AI occasionally, but have a feeling you could be getting much more from it.
Join Louise Jenner, Business Coach and Co-owner of Devon Women in Business, for a practical, hands-on workshop exploring how you can make AI genuinely useful in your business.
This isn’t a technical workshop and you don’t need any previous AI experience.
Instead, we’ll explore how to use an AI assistant as your business buddy – helping you generate ideas, solve problems, plan projects, create content, challenge your thinking and tackle some of those jobs you’ve been putting off.
What will we cover?
During the workshop, you’ll discover how to:

give AI the context it needs to give you much better answers
have a conversation with your AI rather than worrying about finding the ‘perfect prompt’
use AI as a thinking partner, not just a writing tool
challenge and refine its answers so the end result sounds like you
recognise what needs checking and what information you shouldn’t share
use AI to tackle a real task, idea or problem in your own business

Most importantly, you’ll be doing it yourself.
Please bring a laptop, tablet or smartphone and come armed with one real business task, problem or idea you’d like to work on.
You’ll have time during the workshop to put what you’re learning into practice, with Louise there to help when your new business buddy isn’t quite playing ball!
You can use whichever AI assistant you already have access to – whether that’s ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini or another tool.
No jargon. No robots taking over the world. No 57-step prompting formulas.
Just practical ways to make AI work harder for you and your business.
When & Where
Date: Time: 9:30 am – 12:00 pmLocation: The Tribe SW Ltd
Office 1, The Byre
Berry Pomeroy
Totnes
TQ9 6LH
If using what3words, the code for The Tribe is ///earmarked.comet.deflation
We know it can be nerve-racking visiting a new place, so Stacey (from The Tribe) made a video that walks you through the process of arriving at their space.
👀 Watch Now.
What to Bring
Laptop, tablet or smartphone – whatever you usually use to run your business.

West Country Women Awards Semi Finalist Announcement
2026-09-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Devon
Through our collaboration with the West Country Women Awards, winners of the DWIB Awards 2025 automatically progress to the semi-finalist stage in the West Country Women Awards 2026.
Together, we’re creating a staircase of confidence that supports women from Devon to step onto a bigger South West stage. ✨
NB: Winners – you still need to complete the WCWA entry form, so watch out for it in your inbox!

Simply Networking at The Mole Resort
2026-09-23 10:30 - 12:00 | The Mole Resort, Chittlehamholt, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9HD, United Kingdom
DWIB Simply Networking – The Mole Resort, Umberleigh (Between Crediton and Barnstaple)
Looking for a relaxed and friendly way to connect with other inspiring women in business? Join us for DWIB Simply Networking – a refreshing alternative to the usual lunch, brunch or dinner events. With no meals to pay for, the focus is purely on meaningful connections and business-boosting conversations (don’t worry – we’ll still keep you fuelled with tea, coffee and biscuits).
What to ExpectThis is a women-only event with a warm, welcoming, and informal vibe – ideal whether you’re a regular networker or trying it for the first time.
📍 Venue:
We are delighted to be back at The Mole Resort which is tucked away in the picturesque North Devon countryside, The Mole Resort draws its name from the beautiful River Mole, which you’ll encounter if you’re driving south into the resort, offering a glimpse of the tranquillity that awaits you. Renowned for its abundant wildlife and breath-taking landscapes, our resort offers a perfect vantage point to explore the natural beauty of Devon.
Expect a warm welcome while you connect with fellow DWIB members and guests in this unique coastal setting.
This is your chance to step away from the everyday, take in the views, and enjoy relaxed networking in a location that’s guaranteed to inspire.
We will meet at The Hub reception before being escorted to the Exmoor Room – venue website https://www.themoleresort.co.uk/
👩‍💼 Your Host:
You’ll be warmly welcomed by Maureen Townsend of Accentuate Visuals.Got a question? Just drop us a message to devonwomeninbusiness@gmail.com – we’re happy to help!
🕥 Timings:

10:30 – 11:00 am | Welcome & Introductions with teas, coffees and cold drinks

11:00 – 11:45 am | Simply Networking – Discover what fellow DWIB members do and share your own business story in a relaxed, supportive space

12:00 noon | Close

For those who wish to stay on there is a spa pass available for £10 (payable on arrival) giving access to the indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, fitness classes, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

🚗 Transport & Parking:
Free parking is available at the venue. Car-sharing is encouraged – post in our DWIB Facebook or LinkedIn groups if you can offer or need a lift. View directions.
🎟 Tickets:
Scroll down to book your place.DWIB members enjoy discounted rates. Not a member yet? Join today and unlock savings on this and all future events!

Cyber Escape Room – Outsmart the Cyber Criminals
2026-10-01 09:30 - 12:00 | The Tribe SW Ltd, The Tribe SW Ltd Office 1, The Byre Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6LH, United Kingdom
Cyber Escape Room – Outsmart the Cyber Criminals
Crack the case. Beat the hackers. Protect yourself and your business. The DCI has been locked up and the entire cybercrime case is in jeopardy! Well… at least that’s the situation in our Cyber Escape Room. Put yourself in the shoes of a cyber detective and work your way through a series of fun, interactive challenges to help clear a member of your unit and crack the case. Along the way, you’ll discover practical cyber security tips that can help protect you, your family, and your business from cybercrime. And don’t worry – you absolutely do NOT need to be a tech expert! This workshop has been specifically designed for non-technical people, although everyone is welcome to have a go. By turning cyber security into a game, the Cyber Escape Room makes what can sometimes feel like a complicated subject accessible, memorable and – dare we say it – fun.
What to expect
The Cyber Escape Room itself is a 90-minute interactive workshop, with additional time before and afterwards for refreshments, networking and conversation with other local women in business. You’ll have the opportunity to:

become a cyber detective and tackle a series of challenges
discover some of the techniques used by cyber criminals
learn practical ways to protect yourself and your organisation
improve your awareness of common cyber threats
meet and network with other women in business

Meet Your Cyber Crime Expert
Olivia M is a Cyber/Fraud Protect, Prevent and Prepare Advisor working within the South West Regional Cyber Crime and Economic Unit. She is part of a team that leads investigations into cybercrime affecting organisations across the region, including ransomware, network intrusions and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. The team also helps organisations become more resilient to cybercrime through free guidance and workshops, while working to deter people from becoming involved in cybercrime in the first place.
Tickets
FREE for DWIB members
£10 for non-members – with proceeds from non-member ticket sales donated to Memory Matters, the DWIB Charity of the Year 2026. So, if you’re not yet a DWIB member, you’ll not only enjoy a fun and useful morning – you’ll also be supporting the important work of Memory Matters.
Places will be limited for this interactive workshop, so early booking is recommended. Come and put your detective skills to the test – and leave knowing a little more about how to outsmart the cyber criminals.

DWIB Simply Networking - Bideford
2026-10-15 10:30 - 12:00 | The Old Foundry Venue & Forge Bar, Bridge Street Car Park, Bideford, Devon, EX39 2BU, United Kingdom
DWIB Simply Networking in Bideford with World Class Adventures
DWIB Simply Networking in Bideford is a great way to get together with other women in business. With no lunch, brunch, or dinner to pay for, the focus is simply networking! Of course, we’ll keep you going with teas and coffees. As ever, this is a women-only event with a friendly and informal vibe and this time we have a speaker too!
Speaker
Jackie Williamson is a Guide for the Art of Being. She works with people who are waking up to the feeling that they’re living life according to someone else’s script. She challenges them to think differently about the rules and expectations they’ve inherited, so they can break the chains and create a life that feels true to who they really are. Jackie was a solicitor for over 25 years, suffering from stress and burnout before transforming her life through Reiki and mindset work and rediscovering her true identity, which she’d lost along the way. Now she loves helping others uncover their true self so they can build a life that fits them.

Venue
The Old Foundry Venue & Forge Bar is our venue for this event. With its rustic barn design, it features stunning hand-crafted barn doors fitted with oversized black forged door hardware. The woodwork is intentionally scorched, illuminated by an orange glow, creating a vibrant and fiery ambiance.
Located in Bideford’s Bridge Street car park, the newly renamed Old Foundry Venue and Forge Bar was once home to Tardrews Iron Foundry, situated behind the Chopes of Bideford clothing department store. The venue is still owned by the Chopes family and leased to husband-and-wife duo Donna and Simon Henry, who have transformed it into a thriving events venue and the catering quarter of Bideford.
Your Host

Bridget Perriman from World Class Adventures is your host for this event. Please contact DWIB with any queries you may have.
Timings

10.30 – 11.00 am – Welcome & Intros
11.00 am – Talk: The Power of Being: Why Doing More Isn’t the Answer – a fresh perspective on success, identity and fulfilment in a world obsessed with productivity.
11.15 – 11.45 am – Simply Networking – Your chance to find out what other members do for a living and to share information about your business too!
11.45 – 12.00 noon – Close

Transport & Parking
Car-sharing is encouraged – please post in our groups on Facebook or LinkedIn if you’d like to offer a lift to others.
Tickets
Please scroll down to book your tickets. Members’ discounts apply. Non-members and guests, please select the standard ticket or create your membership now and enjoy a discount on this and all future events!

DWIB member, Jackie Williamson, Guide for the Art of Being

West Country Women Awards Finalist Announcement
2026-10-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Devon
Through our collaboration with the West Country Women Awards, winners of the DWIB Awards 2025 automatically progressed to the semi-finalist stage in the West Country Women Awards 2026.
Together, we’re creating a staircase of confidence that supports women from Devon to step onto a bigger South West stage. ✨

DWIB Simply Networking - Exeter Racecourse
2026-10-27 10:30 - 12:00 | Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7XS, United Kingdom
Simply Networking at Exeter Racecourse
Join us for a fun, friendly and refreshingly different networking event at Exeter Racecourse.
Simply Networking is all about making it easy to meet new people and have real conversations. Our popular speed networking format means there’s no awkward hovering around wondering who to talk to next. You’ll have the opportunity to meet plenty of other local business people in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Event details
Tuesday 27th October 2026
10.30 am–12 noon
Golden Jubilee Room, Exeter Racecourse
Your hosts: Louise Jenner and Maureen Townsend
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided; there’s free parking on site, and we’ll have views across the racecourse while we network.
What to expect
We’ll start with time to grab a drink, settle in and say hello before getting everyone involved in our fun speed networking.
You’ll have a series of short conversations with different people, giving you the chance to introduce yourself, discover what others do and spot those all-important opportunities to continue the conversation afterwards.
It’s friendly, informal and designed to make networking actually feel enjoyable!
Bring your business cards, your enthusiasm and your best 60-second introduction. We’ll take care of the rest.

With thanks to Exeter Racecourse
A huge thank you to Exeter Racecourse for sponsoring this Simply Networking event by generously providing the Golden Jubilee Room.
Their support means we can bring the Devon business community together in this fantastic venue, complete with free parking and fabulous views across the racecourse.
We’re delighted to be working with them and very grateful for their support of Devon Women in Business.

DWIB Workshop - Financial Foundations: Changes, Choices, Fraud and Scams
2026-11-03 10:00 - 12:00 | The Tribe SW Ltd, The Tribe SW Ltd Office 1, The Byre Berry Pomeroy, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6LH, United Kingdom
Join Devon Women in Business for a practical financial wellbeing workshop with Joanne Barham from NatWest Plymouth. This session will help you understand your relationship with money, make confident choices when life changes unexpectedly, plan for big events, and deal with debt. Jo will also cover fraud and scams, helping you recognise common warning signs and protect yourself from fraudsters. Everyone attending will also be offered a free one-to-one financial review after the event.
The workshop is designed to be friendly, supportive, and useful whether you are employed, self-employed, running a business, or simply want to feel more in control of your finances.
The workshop will cover
Changes and ChoicesUnderstand your relationship with money, how to deal with the unexpected, save for big events, and deal with debt.
Fraud and ScamsLearn how to identify common financial scams and protect yourself from fraudsters.
About Joanne Barham
Joanne Barham is a Branch Manager in Retail Banking at NatWest, based in Plymouth, with 25 years’ experience supporting customers, businesses, and communities. She is passionate about improving financial wellbeing through Financial Foundations workshops, helping individuals and small business owners build confidence, understanding, and long-term financial resilience.

Tickets
Free to members, £15 for non-members. Scroll down to book.

WCWA Empowerment Training Day Exeter Racecourse
2026-11-04 09:30 - 16:00 | Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7XS, United Kingdom
DWIB Members receive 10% discount with the code: WOMEN10
If you have ever entered the DWIB Awards or been nominated, you can select the half-price ticket (Current or Former Nominee Price ticket) and also use the 10% discount code above, giving you a huge 60% off the price of this training!

Devon Women in Business Awards 2026
2026-11-20 18:00 - 23:00 | Sandy Park, Sandy Park Conference & Banqueting Centre, Sandy Park Way,, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7NN, United Kingdom
The Devon Women in Business Awards 2026 (Save the Date!)
Join us as we celebrate the achievements of women in business across the county of Devon and present the 6th annual DWIB Awards. The DWIB Awards were launched in 2021 by Louise Jenner and Maureen Townsend and get bigger and better each year!
Categories
There are 12 categories this year:

Start-Up of the Year (female-led business) – Sponsored by Fran Minifie Photography
Small Business of the Year (female-led business) – Sponsored by Louise Jenner, The Dream Job Coach
Sole Trader / Freelancer of the Year (female-led business) – Sponsored by Dartmoor Reach Alpaca and Glamping Farm
Employer of the Year (female-led business) – Sponsored by Margaret Oscar Employee Engagement
Inspirational Leader of the Year (female) – Sponsored by Business Fest SW
Female Employee of the Year – Sponsored by Jo Douglas, Midlife Harmony
Customer Service Excellence (female-led business) – Sponsored by Ladram Bay
Contribution to the Community (over and above normal business activity) – Sponsored by Newton Abbot Racecourse
Community Group / Charity of the Year (run by a woman) – Presented by Memory Matters
Unsung Hero (formerly Supporting Act) (male or female individual) – Sponsored by Accentuate Visuals
Female Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by tbc
Female Director of the Year – Sponsored by Dawes Accountants

Winners receive a trophy sponsored by Platinum Member, Dawes Accountants, a certificate and a ‘golden buzzer’ through to the semi-finals of the West Country Women Awards 2027.
The Judges
The DWIB Awards are judged by Louise Jenner, Maureen Townsend and Emma Woodward in conjunction with the Category Sponsors.
Charity
This year we will be holding a raffle in aid of Memory Matters. Please let us know if you would like to donate a prize. DRCSAS won the Female-Led, Charity / Community Group / Project of the Year 2024.
Venue
We are delighted to be able to hold this event in The Estuary Suite at Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter.
Dinner Menu
You will be served a delicious 3-course dinner followed by tea/coffee and after-dinner mints.

Course

Vegetarian choice

Starter
Smoked duck breast, hen egg, baby gem, salsa verde & coriander roasted corn
Poached salmon, kimchi mayonnaise, pickled cucumber, sesame, seaweed potato puffs & watercress
Candied beetroots, lemon purée, whipped chive cream, savoury granola & watercress

Main
Pressed lamb shoulder, garlic & rosemary mash, honey roasted parsnip, rainbow chard & pan jus
Roasted chicken breast, tarragon potato terrine, creamed cabbage & bacon, carrots & thyme sauce
Pumpkin & sage ravioli, spinach, wild mushroom cream sauce & rocket

Dessert
Blackberry fool & white chocolate crumble
Gateau opera, coffee & dark chocolate mousse
Baked apple & cinnamon galette, mulled wine purée, vanilla cream & roasted pumpkin seed

Drinks
The bar will be open all evening for you to buy your own drinks. Or you can request a pre-order form for your drinks by emailing devonwomeninbusiness@gmail.com and then sending your completed form to Sandy Park.
Dress Code
It’s not ‘black tie’, but it is a party, so feel free to dress up.
Transport & Accommodation
There is plenty of parking at the venue (chargeable). Car-sharing is encouraged!
The Marriott Courtyard Sandy Park Hotel is situated next to Sandy Park Conference Centre and has 250 Bedrooms. Should you wish to make a group booking of 10 rooms or more please contact your Sandy Park Event Coordinator to receive preferential rates. Alternatively, you can book individual discounted rooms through the link below:

Book your corporate rate for Sandy Park Affiliates

*Please note this link will allow you to book up to 3 rooms at a time. When booking through this link, you also receive parking and a 24 hour cancellation with no pre-payment.
Tickets
Scroll down to book your tickets now. Members’ and Finalists’ discounts apply.
When booking a table of 8 or 10, please buy your tickets and then email us a list of names so we can ensure you are all seated together!
Email: devonwomeninbusiness@gmail.com
Timings for the Evening
6.00 pm – Arrival
6.30 pm – Starter
7.00 pm – Main Course
7.45 pm – Awards Ceremony Part 1
8.15 pm – Dessert & Entertainment
8.45 pm – Awards Ceremony Part 2
9.15 pm – Coffee and mints
9.30 pm – Charity Raffle
10.00 pm – Networking and Celebrating
11.00 pm – Goodnight!

West Country Women Awards - Grand Final Gala
2026-11-27 17:45 - 23:00 | Devon
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Plymouth will play host to the WWA Grand Final Gala, Dinner and Dance. At DWIB, we wish everyone the very best of luck!
