Windermere businesswoman Alison Magee-Barker has just been announced as a finalist for the prestigious North West E3 Business Awards. Alison’s business AJ Lakes Consultancy is one of only two Cumbrian finalists from a total of 59 finalists across 14 categories. St Mary’s Hospice is up for Charity of the Year whilst AJ Lakes is up for the title of Professional Business of the Year against competition from Manchester and Blackburn.
AJ Lakes was awarded the finalist place by the judges in recognition for Alison’s work in the hospitality and tourism industry. Alison Magee-Barker works with businesses including hotels, B&Bs, attractions, and other businesses looking to diversify into this sector. The judges were impressed that as a direct result of working with Alison her clients evidenced increased turnover, increased occupancy, a rise in direct bookings, higher average room rates and also spoke of more efficient working environment and better work life balance. Alison has worked in the industry for over thirty years and picked up an Enterprise Vision Award in 2018 during her just first year in business as a result of the work she is doing to improve business across the sector.
Alison said: “I have always loved my job, working with passionate businesspeople to address their sales and marketing, cost control issues, operational budgets, forecasting, customer experiences and reviews might not sound fun to others but I love it! I’m passionate about the sector and have over thirty years practical experience behind me. Seeing real results for my clients is where my job satisfaction comes from so I am always a bit bowled over by award recognition because I am already doing what I love. To receive external acknowledgement is always a great confidence boost but as long as my clients continue to be happy then whatever happens on the big night I’ll be happy too.”
The results will be announced at the Awards dinner which will take place on Thursday 11thJuly in the Premier Suite at the University of Bolton Stadium. Launched in 2013, the E3 Awards are now in their seventh year. They celebrate diversity and outstanding achievement on the part of companies, charities, social enterprises and individual entrepreneurs.
“The E3 Business Awards have always attracted a very high calibre of entrants,” said 1EM managing director Mubarak Chati. “As a result, the judging panel have had to work extremely hard, once again, to produce their shortlists for each category. From the written submissions, we knew at once that it would be a hard-fought competition. Clearly, there are businesses and social enterprises achieving amazing things across the region, and I’m delighted that the E3 Awards will help to give them due recognition.”
