Spark Ventures

 

17 September 2009 – Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish, co-founders of SPARK Ventures’ portfolio company notonthehighstreet.com, were named winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year category at the annual “Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards”, which took place last night in London. Industry pundits joined the UK’s largest network for women in business, everywoman, for the second year running to celebrate the most inspiring and pioneering women working in the industry.

notonthehighstreet.com, a web retailer for smaller, specialised UK businesses creating unique products, was backed by SPARK Ventures as a start up in 2006 and now brings together more than 1,200 small retail businesses and is growing rapidly. By the end of 2009, notonthehighstreet.com’s turnover is predicted to be £6 million, up from less than £1 million in 2007, and the company now has a staff of 24 compared to only four when it was founded.

Tom Teichman, Chairman of SPARK Ventures who sits on the Board of notonthehighstreet.com commented: “Sophie and Holly have taken the business to new highs during the past year, and, even against a backdrop of a very difficult retail market, have continued to grow the businesses during this period. This award is a well deserved recognition of their achievements to date.”

Maxine Benson, Co-founder and Director of everywoman comments: “There is no denying that times have recently been tough for the retail sector, which is why companies need to ensure their most talented staff are encouraged into management roles. By celebrating the accomplishments of those such as Holly and Sophie, we hope that other women will have role models to look up to and see retail as an area where they can flourish and maximise their skills.”