Former dinner lady turned cake queen Allison Whitmarsh is bidding for a top corporate award.
The founder of Lindley-based “cakes with a twist” company Proper Maid has been shortlisted in the entrepreneur category of the Director of the Year Awards run by the Institute of Directors.
Allison, who launched the business in 2008, is one of three shortlisted in the category and will discover if she has landed the trophy when the awards are presented at a champagne breakfast on May 1 at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.
The awards feature seven categories, including ones for directors of large companies and SMEs, public or not-for-profit organisations and the young director of the year. There will also be a lifetime achievement award and an overall director of the year award.
Allison will compete against Julia Gash, of Sheffield-based eco-bag firm Bag It Don’t Bin It, and Jason Pace, of Rotherham-based marquee supplier Gala Tent.
Others shortlisted in various awards include East Coast chief executive Karen Boswell and Gary Verity, who spearheaded Yorkshire’s successful bid to host the Tour de France’s Grand Depart.
