A SAVVY West Dorset business woman has scooped an award. 

Dawn Crossingham is this year’s Venus Women’s Award Winner in the category of Networker of the Year, sponsored by Pure Networking. 

Dawn works for Dorset Growth Hub, offering fully-funded business advice to established businesses. 

Living in the heart of West Dorset on the Jurassic Coast, Dawn understands the challenges and opportunities local businesses face in the area.

Dorset Growth Hub provides local business information to help with starting and growing businesses; finances, employment skills information, support and services, news from around the region, a list of the training, seminars, and networking events available locally.

Dawn’s client base covers the West Dorset region, from Lyme Regis to Swanage, Bridport, Sherborne, Sturminster Newton, Dorchester, Weymouth and Portland

Dawn said: “It is such an honour to be recognised for my contribution to bringing businesses together through networking. This award shows everyone that I don’t just talk about networking as part of any business’ marketing strategy but I walk the walk too, attending a wide variety of groups in the Dorset area.”

This year’s NatWest Dorset Venus Awards for women in business were handed out at a gala ceremony at the BIC. 

More than 400 guests, including finalists and sponsors, attended. 

Owner of Pure Networking, Dion McCarthy, said: “Whilst all three finalists were worthy, we chose Dawn as the winner because she is an energetic and enthusiastic local networker and is visibly engaging on the networking scene in Dorset.”

Venus Awards was founded in 2009 by Tara Howard expressly to recognise and reward business women who balance their 
numerous commitments whilst making a considerable contribution to the regional and national economies. 

Tara said: “By raising awareness of the successful women 
in our midst in this fashion it further underlines the economic force that women have become.”