Hannah Dale, founder and creative supremo of Wrendale Designs, is one of 19 extraordinary women – chosen from over 1,000 entrants – who have been announced as finalists in the 2021 NatWest everywoman Awards. Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on December 7, 2021.
Hannah is shortlisted in the Athena category, which recognises the most inspirational woman running a business that has been trading for between six to nine years. She is up against two London-based companies – Sous Chef (online culinary products platform) and Sleek Brows (a specialist eyebrow service).
“For nearly two decades, these awards have provided a platform to share the stories of hundreds of entrepreneurs, encouraging, emboldening and empowering other women to follow suit,” states Maxine Benson MBE, co-founder of Everywoman.
“Against a backdrop of Covid, these women have shown how innovation and enterprise have helped their businesses to thrive under extraordinary trading conditions. We hope their experiences will go onto inspire others and provide the motivation and inspiration that will be the backbone of the UK’s economic recovery.”
Having launched as a greeting card publisher based on original artwork by Hannah, Wrendale Designs has not only considerably expanded its own company product portfolio – now spanning stationery, giftware, homewares, fashion accessories and pet products – it has also found great success through licensing its distinctive artwork with leading third parties, most notably, Portmeirion.
Greeting cards however remain at the heart of the business. Wrendale’s Country Set range won The Henry Cole Classic category in The Henries 2021 greeting card awards last month, testament to the range having stood the test of time.
Commenting on the good news of being shortlisted for the Everywoman awards, Hannah told PG Buzz: “I am so proud to be a finalist for these awards, especially given the huge amount of talent among all of the other finalists. Starting my own business has been one of the most exciting challenges of my life and the great thing about these awards is that it brings to light the amazing and inspirational stories of all of these fabulous entrepreneurs and I hope that it encourages other women to just go for it if they are thinking about starting a business.”
From its standing start in 2012, Brigg-based Wrendale has become an international brand turning over £8m annually, providing jobs for over 60 employees. While the company’s growth has been exponential, Hannah (who runs the company with her husband Jack) the prides herself on creating a family atmosphere and strong company values with a strong emphasis on diversity.
In August 2019, Wrendale Designs was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise International Trade.
Now in their 19th year, the NatWest everywoman Awards celebrate female entrepreneurs from all walks of life, providing a platform for them to share their achievements.
Visit www.everywoman.com/ewawards
Top: Hannah Dale, painting in Tokyo department store, Mitsukoshi in 2017 to support Portmeirion’s launch of its Wrendale products there.
